"It's just something that I do"

2010 Rosemary Gill Award recipients. L-R: Patricia Collins, Margie Muise, Cherilyn MacIntosh, Nancy Webb (Danny Abriel photo)

For the past 15 years, Dalhousie has honoured the spirit of Rosemary Gill, past director of University Health Services, through the presentation of awards to university staff who work in a non-teaching role.

At a reception this past Thursday, the award was given to four deserving women who exemplify the values and characteristics of Dr. Gill: passion, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for Dalhousie students.

• Patricia Collins, senior instructor as well as an honours advisor and program coordinator in the Department of Biology
• Margie Muise, program administrator and academic advisor for the Bachelor of Management program
• Cherilyn MacIntosh, an administrative secretary with the Indigenous Black and Mi’kmaq Program at the Schulich School of Law
• Nancy Webb, manager of academic affairs with the Faculty of Dentistry

It was clear from the pages of accolades read aloud by Vice-President Academic Alan Shaver that all of this year's winners share more than just their dedication to students; they are truly loved and appreciated by their colleagues and by the students who interact with them on a daily basis.

Said one anonymous nominator of Ms. Muise, "I have experienced first-hand the calming effect of the mere mention of Margie’s name on students who may be anxious over a conflict with their timetable, to worries about their academic credits and module options, right through to personal problems at home or at the university."

Another student wrote in to recall his experience with Ms. Webb while applying to the Faculty of Dentistry. "One would think that I was her favourite nephew with the help and encouragement she gave me during the application process," he said.

Ms. Collins, who had warm memories of Dr. Gill and spoke of the award as a "true honour," was called an "advocate, a mentor and an invaluable resource" to the Department of Biology for her overwhelming dedication, once even making attempts to stay in touch with students while she was on educational leave.

Others recalled Ms. MacIntosh's warm and encouraging nature. One student spoke of learning that their law school application had not been received, and that Ms. MacIntosh went out of her way to track it down. "At the time I had been accepted to a few other law schools, but it occurred to me that for a person who knew absolutely nothing about me, to take the time to track down my application and ensure that I had an opportunity to apply, then this would be the type of school and environment that I would want to be in."

But naturally, like so many other Rosemary Gill Award winners, this year's recipients also share another characteristic: modesty.

"This comes from the students. It's heartwarming, humbling, and I am thankful," said Ms. MacIntosh. "I work with the greatest bunch of students this university has ever had."

"It's very overwhelming," agreed Ms. Muise. "It's a great honour to be nominated for something. But it's just something that I do."