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 Symons Award for Excellence in TeachingThe 2009 Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented to Molly Blyth during the morning Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, June 3.
Nominations submitted by faculty, students and alumni, speak to her “passionate ability” to encourage students to become “more critically and positively engaged citizens of the world.” Prof. Blyth is described as a teacher of great "vigour”, one “who allows for deep discussions, with constructive criticism”, and one who “pushes her students to be better scholars”. In addition to being a contract course instructor, Prof. Blyth is also a doctoral candidate in the joint Trent/Carleton Ph.D. in Canadian Studies program. She holds an M.A. in English from York University. “I am delighted to receive this award. I have always loved teaching at Trent and, from my experience, believe that we continue to attract some of the brightest and best students,” Prof. Blyth said. “I’m also honoured to be the recipient of an award named for T.H.B. Symons, our visionary first president, for whom excellence in teaching was a founding principle. As a contract faculty member, my hope is that this prestigious award also recognizes the invaluable contribution to teaching by Trent’s part-time faculty.” Established in 1976, the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching is Trent’s most distinguished teaching honour. The award is presented annually to a faculty or staff member who displays exemplary teaching, as well as exemplary concern for students. This is the 32nd year that the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching will be conferred. |
Professor Molly Blyth started teaching at Trent on a contract basis in 1986. Since then she has been been affiliated with a number of departments, including Canadian Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature and Indigenous Studies. The Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes Prof. Blyth for her teaching, mentoring and support of students across the University.