Completing a university degree takes drive, dedication, focus 鈥� and, sometimes, it also benefits from a helping hand.
Talk to any of the the nearly 3,000 graduates who crossed the stage at Spring Convocation ceremonies this year and they鈥檇 likely have a story about a Dal staff or faculty member who helped them in a time of need. Perhaps that need was small: a document that needed signed, a university process that was unclear, or a tiny concern that benefitted from simply being heard. But the need may have been all encompassing, the sort of personal crisis that without extra support could threaten a student鈥檚 ability to make it to the convocation stage at all.
Here鈥檚 what defines this year鈥檚 recipients of AV俱乐部's Rosemary Gill Award: whether the need is large or small, these staff and faculty members are there to help. Both their day-to-day support for students and their 鈥渙utside the job description鈥� efforts are guided by an immense compassion for and commitment to students and their success.
鈥淚t鈥檚 that above-and-beyond passion for our students that we鈥檙e so pleased to honour today,鈥� said President Richard Florizone, presenting the awards at a ceremony in Shirreff Hall Tuesday afternoon.
For two decades, the Rosemary Gill Awards have served as AV俱乐部鈥檚 top recognition for service to students in capacities other than teaching. They were established in 1995 in memory of Dr. Rosemary Gill, a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine who in her time as director of University Health Services (1985-1991) exemplified a high level of commitment of service to students.
None of this year鈥檚 four Rosemary Gill Award recipients can be summed up in one extraordinary gesture or single major achievement 鈥� though some, certainly, have those to their credit. Instead, to hear their stories is to take stock of the little things these individuals do that, cumulatively, make a big difference in the lives of students.
Tina Bowdridge
Graduate Program Administrative Assistant 鈥� Community Health & Epidemiology
You get to know a lot of students when you鈥檝e been with a department for more than 21 years. But students in the Department of Community Health & Epidemiology鈥檚 graduate programs still find themselves getting to know Tina Bowdridge personally over the course of their degrees. 鈥淔rom the first day of classes, to handing in our thesis, Tina鈥檚 presence is felt,鈥� said one student.
Those meaningful relationships often go beyond the call of duty. One student nominator wrote about how a heartfelt conversation with Tina when she was going through a difficult time was transformative for her. It was the sort of support Tina offers to all students in the program, and it鈥檚 no wonder that so many keep in touch after graduating. Her compassion extends to colleagues: when one co-worker鈥檚 son was in the hospital, Tina not only volunteered to take on additional responsibilities in the office but arranged personal duties such as shopping, food delivery and even babysitting.
Somehow, she also finds time to make a difference in her community 鈥� at Dal and beyond. She鈥檚 been involved in various initiatives including championing yoga and Pilates activities in the Faculty of Medicine, fundraising for the United Way and working with the school breakfast program at Harrietsfield Elementary School.
鈥淚鈥檓 flattered to have been nominated and to have been selected by the committee,鈥� says Tina. 鈥淭he most rewarding part of my job is working closely with the students and knowing that I had a hand in their success when they graduate.鈥�
Keltie Jones
Assistant Dean, Students 鈥� Faculty of Agriculture
Keltie Jones is the first Rosemary Gill Award recipient from the Agricultural Campus since Dal鈥檚 merger with NSAC three years ago. The Faculty of Agriculture鈥檚 assistant dean, students was described by a nominator as 鈥渙ne of the strongest pillars on the Agricultural Campus.鈥�
Keltie is known for her determination to engage with students on a first-name basis and her eagerness to know how their days are going. She creates an inclusive and welcoming environment in her office and is constantly encouraging students to become more involved 鈥� and she leads by example in that respect. She鈥檚 a fixture at Rams sporting events and chairs the Student Success Committee, Academic Coordination Committee and Faculty Council. She鈥檚 also been involved in launching the Landscape Architecture program and the Aboriginal Health Sciences Success program.
Keltie has had a diverse career in law, teaching and student services, and is now working towards her doctorate in business administration. 鈥淭he dedication to her family, job and community that she demonstrates every day mirrors powers of a superwoman,鈥� wrote one nominator.
鈥淚 used to practice law,鈥� says Keltie, 鈥渁nd when I moved into higher ed I knew that鈥檚 where I wanted to be because I love being around people who are learning and growing. Everything you do with students, [it] doesn鈥檛 matter if it鈥檚 in or out of the classroom, it鈥檚 a learning experience and it鈥檚 really exciting to be a part of that.鈥�
Tina Jones
Administrative Secretary 鈥� Department of History
If you had any doubt about the important role Tina Jones plays in the Department of History, the fact that one colleague described her as the 鈥渁ll-seeing and all-knowing force without whom all will collapse鈥� is one heck of an endorsement.
Tina has been administrative secretary since 1989; in fact, the department boasts current faculty members who experienced Tina鈥檚 patience, kindness and outstanding support as undergrads. No wonder her name frequently shows up in the dedication pages of students鈥� undergrad and masters theses. 鈥淭ina always takes the time to address student needs directly,鈥� wrote one student. 鈥淭here is no question or query too small and you never feel like you have interrupted her or drawn her away from some other, more important task.鈥�
Approachable and compassionate, Tina helps with everything from holiday potlucks to undergrad journal launches. Students flock to the History office at the beginning of term to seek out her advice, and faculty members rely on her as a crucial front-line resource. 鈥淭he nature of what Tina does might not seem to count as unusual or outstanding,鈥� wrote a colleague, 鈥渂ut how she does it certainly is.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about the students,鈥� says Tina. 鈥淚f you can help one student, that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about for me. When you do the littlest thing for them, they have such gratitude. You really feel like you accomplished something important.鈥�
Florence Tarrant
Assistant Professor/ Academic Director, Undergraduate Studies 鈥� Faculty of Management
鈥淯nfailing good cheer, a perpetual smile and a positive attitude.鈥�
That鈥檚 how one nominator described Florence Tarrant, a faculty member in the Faculty of Management since 2010 and currently academic program director for both the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Management programs. In that capacity, she鈥檚 made key improvements within the Faculty and has become renowned for selflessness in her time and commitment outside of the classroom.
鈥淐ontagiously optimistic,鈥� as one nominator put it, Florence鈥檚 commitment is perhaps most noticeable in her dedication to student life activities. She gives up many evenings and weekends in support of teams in the JDCC case competition, mock trials, first- and second-year case competitions and many of the AV俱乐部 Commerce Society鈥檚 charitable initiatives.
鈥淭hroughout my four years at AV俱乐部, I have not seen a faculty member more dedicated and committed than Florence,鈥� said one student. 鈥淪he relentlessly provides outstanding service to her students. It鈥檚 professors like Florence that make a difference in a student鈥檚 undergraduate experience. I know she did for me.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 not even sure I know how to describe it,鈥� says Florence, of receiving the Rosemary Gill Award. 鈥淚 have a real passion for my students and I love working with them and doing things for them. The fact that they were part of recognizing me for that is so gratifying.鈥�