The Senate of Trent University is pleased to announce this year that two staff members have been selected to receive Eminent Service Awards.

This year's Eminent Service Award winners are Tony van Hoeckel and Paul Wilson. The awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the life of the university.

Tony van Hoeckel joined Trent University in 1980 as Controller and has served as Director of Finance and most recently as Financial Advisor to the Vice President of Administration. He served as Chair of the Council of Finance Officers of Ontario Universities (COFO-UO) 1996-97.

In 2001, he received the Distinguished Service Award from Canadian Association of University Business Officials (CAUBO) for making a significant contribution to CAUBO and the management of higher education. As a result of Tony's leadership, Trent University was recognized by the Laurier School of Business and Economics which reviewed universities' accountability disclosure practices. Their latest review saw Trent's accountability ranking move from 36th place to 7th place in one year. Reacting to the award Tony said, "I am very honoured and pleased to receive this recognition for the work I have done. The award is a wonderful surprise and it is most satisfying to have the contributions I made throughout my career recognized in such a public way."

Paul Wilson joined Trent University in 1966 and has served as its only Director of Athletics. In his role as Director of Athletics, Paul has provided a wide range of athletic services to students, faculty, staff and alumni and has served as an ambassador for the university. Commenting on the award, Wilson said, "This is a great honour and a recognition of the role that athletics and recreation play in the life of the university. Staff at Trent University make immense contributions to the workings and organization of the institution and I feel privileged to be among those who have been recognized in the past."

For more information contact:

Tony van Hoeckel, Financial Advisor to the President (retired), (705) 749-3252

Paul Wilson, Director of Athletics, (705) 748-1011, ext. 1252