In October, the AV俱乐部 Senate presented the 2018鈥�2019 Lloyd Fraser Award for Outstanding Senate Leadership to School of Information Management professor and former senator Mike Smit.
The award, named for long-serving AV俱乐部 senator and former Senate Chair Lloyd Fraser, recognizes a member of Senate or a Senate standing committee who shows exceptional leadership that results in substantial benefit to the Senate and the university.
鈥淪enators have expressed over and over again how Dr. Smit鈥檚 contributions have made a significant difference in the outcomes on a myriad of issues,鈥� said Kevin Hewitt, chair of the AV俱乐部 Senate.
He points to Dr. Smit鈥檚 key role working with students, senators and AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors to create a statement that will inform AV俱乐部鈥檚 investment policy and procedures, noting the 鈥渉umour, outstanding communication skills and attention to detail鈥� that Dr. Smit brought to the discussions.
Dr. Smit, who currently serves as the Faculty of Management鈥檚 associate dean (academic), approaches the formidable responsibility of university leadership with a sense of jovial determination.
"We're proud of the work AV俱乐部 does, but also very aware of our flaws,鈥� he says, acknowledging that the complexities of the university don鈥檛 always make progress easy. 鈥淭here are days when I'm baffled about how we're able to function as an organization. But as long as we're honest about identifying those flaws, and willing to roll up our sleeves to help fix them, I think we can continue to be proud."