Friday, April 16, 2021

Terry Gardiner

The Faculty of Law's Student Mental Health & Wellness Program Manager, Terry Gardiner (MSW 2009), has been named a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award – Distinguished Leader, one of the University of Toronto's prestigious Awards of Excellence.

U of T Celebrates: Mary C. Lyne and Terry Gardiner receive Chancellor’s Awards

For more than a decade, Gardiner has served as an influential change-maker in the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion at U of T.

At the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work from 2009 to 2020, Gardiner had an indelible impact on students, faculty, staff and the program. He helped pave the way for a more diversified student body, including fostering deep reflection on long-held practices that have created systemic barriers for Indigenous and Black communities.

Seconded to the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education from 2015 to 2016, Gardiner led the development of a task force on race and indigeneity and welcomed Indigenous youth from across the province in a week of programs over March break.

Now serving as student mental health and wellness program manager in the Faculty of Law, Gardiner collaborates with students and staff to plan and implement a broad range of curricular and co-curricular programs and activities that support improved mental health and wellness.

Read more about U of T Law's mental health initiatives in Nexus

He is chair of the Board of Stewards at Hart House, where he contributes to arts, dance and wellness initiatives for Indigenous, Black and other racialized students, as well as members of the wider community. He also serves as co-chair of Queer University of Toronto Employees.

His many other contributions include volunteering as a dance instructor and conducting weekly mindfulness sessions for LGBTQ+ members of the community.

His supervisors and colleagues praise Gardiner as a thoughtful community-builder, a caring mentor and a true leader, deeply committed to students and their well-being.

About the Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence program, distributed by the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA), dates back to 1921 with the creation of the John H. Moss Scholarship, awarded to outstanding student leaders. In 1990 the Faculty Award and the Chancellor’s Award were added to the program. Since 1990, seven more distinct awards or scholarships recognizing exceptional students, faculty, and administrative staff members of the University have been launched. 

Though the criteria differ for each award, recipients all share a commitment to enhancing the university experience of their peers and leave a significant impact on the University through their efforts.

Republished from the Awards of Excellence website

Read more: Celebrating the winners of the UTAA Awards of Excellence