Dal's 'super glue'

Winners of the 2009 Rosemary Gill Awards are: Carol Madden, Barb Bigelow, Pam Noseworthy and Sandy Mansfield. (Danny Abriel Photo)

There was lots of love in the room as four Dalhousie staffers were honoured with the Rosemary Gill Award for their outstanding service to students.

The Rosemary Gill Award—or the “extra mile award” in the words of Dalhousie president Tom Traves—is given in the name of the late director of University Health Services who personified a high level of commitment and service to students.

This year, the award went to four administrative assistants who work in various academic departments: Barb Bigelow in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Carol Madden in the School of Planning; Sandy Mansfield in the School of Biomedical Engineering; and Pam Noseworthy in the Department of Spanish.

SEE PHOTOS: Administrative assistants to the rescue

“At university, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle,” said Dr. Traves at a reception last Thursday in Shirreff Hall. “These are the people who keep an eye out for all of our students … they play a crucial role in each of their departments acting as the lynchpin between the students and the faculty.”

First up was Barb Bigelow. Called the “den mother” of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, she was hailed for her calm, level-headedness, generosity and compassion. “She is the heartbeat of biochemistry student life,” said Dr. Traves.

Deemed a “second mother” to students in the School of Planning, Carol Madden is the first face they see when they walk into the school, part of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. She is known for the candy she keeps well stocked in her desk, which is adorned with small mementoes from former students.

Over in the School of Biomedical Engineering, it’s Sandy Mansfield’s smile that provides the welcome to students, and in exchange, “their love for her is unmistakable,” said Dr. Traves. As the school’s “super glue,” Ms. Mansfield advocates for students, coordinates pizza and sandwiches for them, and once spent her lunch hour walking to Dalplex to register a student team for intramurals. “It’s Sandy to the rescue,” he added.

Last but not least, Pam Noseworthy was singled out for providing a cheerful smile and sympathetic ear to students of Spanish. Not only does she listen to students, she studies with them: since becoming administrative secretary in the department, she started to learn the language “and has progressed with leaps and bounds,” said Dr. Traves.

“These four represent the best of Dalhousie,” he said in his concluding remarks. “They truly make this university a special place.”