2013 Faculty & Staff Awards
Eminent Service Award
Established in 1978, the Eminent Service Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the life of Trent University above and beyond excellence in carrying out their employment or volunteer responsibilities. It is normally awarded at the culmination of service to Trent. The award is presented on behalf of the Board of Governors, acting upon the recommendation of the Senate.
Betty Clark
Trent University is pleased to announce the 2013 Eminent Service Award will be presented to Ms. Betty Clark on Thursday, June 6 at the 3:00 pm ceremony.
For nearly three decades, Betty Clark worked as a caretaker for Trent University. Enjoying the collegial environment with students, Ms. Clark was a continuous presence in the residences at Traill College and in Trent’s science buildings. She was also an active participant in the United Way campaign and always eager to volunteer and help others. Ms. Clark retired in August 2012 after a distinguished 28 year career at Trent. Speaking about Ms. Clark, one nominator said: “Betty epitomized the kind of personal contact and caring that Trent University has promoted that makes this University unique in Canada. Her enthusiasm for the University and its people extended to her contact with students. Many international students who were not able to return to family for the holidays found themselves at her house for a seasonal celebration.”
Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching
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.
Dr. Keith Walden
Trent University is pleased to announce that the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented to Dr. Keith Walden on Wednesday, June 5 at the 10:00 am ceremony.
Dr. Walden joined Trent University’s History Department in 1976.Through this award he is recognized for his compassion, selflessness, and commitment to ensuring the success of his students. He is also credited, at the graduate level of study, for enriching the perceptions of the fields of Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies as a whole. The classroom environments which Professor Walden has established are lauded for their benefit to student learning by playing to the strengths and interests of not only the individual student, but also the class as a collective. Prof. Walden also shows care and individual attention to his students’ academic growth outside of the classroom. In speaking to his support, one nominator writes: “Keith is dedicated to helping students develop as scholars. He has the rare ability to carefully guide students while, at the same time, allowing them to chart their own academic future and ensure they have the proper intellectual tools to develop their skills as teachers, researchers, and scholars.”
Distinguished Research Award
Established in 1986, the Distinguished Research Award is given annually to a member of the Trent University faculty in recognition of outstanding achievement in research and scholarship.
Dr. Don Mackay
Trent University is pleased to announce that the Distinguished Research Award will be presented to Dr. Don Mackay on Thursday, June 6 at the 3:00 pm ceremony.
Dr. Don Mackay, professor emeritus of Chemistry and Environmental and Resource Sciences, and director emeritus of the Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre, is recognized for a lifetime studying the fate of chemicals in the environment.
During his impressive career, Dr. Mackay has authored or co-authored more than 600 research papers, articles, book chapters and technical reports, including over 300 peer-reviewed publications. He is also the author, editor or co-editor of 12 books. He played an instrumental role in the 1995 formation of the Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre (CEMC) at Trent University, where he was director from 1995 to 2007. He also helped form a complementary multi-university research network with Toronto, Montreal, Windsor, Simon Fraser and Ottawa. As professor emeritus and director emeritus, Dr. Mackay maintains a modest research program at Trent with his colleagues in the Department of Chemistry, and works with undergraduate and graduate students conducting research on environmental physical chemistry and monitoring.
