Lynn Guina
President's Service Award - Spring 2008
Special food venues in the Bowl, University ambassadors and a VIP golf cart transportation service were just some of Lynn Guina’s ideas that came to fruition during Congress 2007 at the University of Saskatchewan, and just three examples of the commitment and dedication to her job that earned her this year’s President’s Service Award.
As Director of Hospitality Services at the University, and throughout her more than 20 years with the institution, Lynn has consistently demonstrated the kind of ‘can do’ attitude that motivates and inspires others, and brings positive recognition to the U of S. Whether she is overseeing the visit of a single VIP to campus or managing the logistics of the country’s largest gathering of academics, Lynn always sees the big picture while keeping tabs on the smallest details. It is always about service.
For those who supported Lynn’s nomination for this award, two events stand out as epitomizing her work ethic and value to the U of S. By pulling together a dynamic and cohesive team to handle logistics for Congress 2007, Lynn ensured campus was a welcoming and accommodating venue for some 6,000 delegates from across the country. Her diligent preparation along with her nimble and innovative approach to problem solving made Congress a success for both the participants and the University.
Nominators also talked at length about her total devotion to meeting the housing and food needs of northern Saskatchewan residents evacuated to campus because of forest fires in 2006. Working virtually around the clock, Lynn demonstrated what the term "service" means at the U of S.
Raised on a dairy farm near Radisson, Lynn was involved in 4-H and a number of high school activities before she moved to Saskatoon to study dietetics. She began her career at the U of S in Food Services and has served in a number of capacities, including acting manager of the Faculty Club and Conference and Catering Manager, before taking over management of Hospitality Services.
In her work, Lynn pays particular attention to the needs of students. In partnerships with the Student and Enrolment Services Division, she initiated the practice of hiring only U of S students for summer jobs at Congress and this year, worked on a marketing project with third-year commerce students.
The list of Lynn’s volunteer commitments at the local, provincial and national level is long. It includes membership on organizing committees for major events like the Special Olympics, Jeux Canada Summer Games and the CIS Vanier Cup as well as the presidency of the Canadian University and Colleges Conference Officers Association.
In all that she does, Lynn Guina maintains the highest possible standards, and her sense of humour. It is an approach that has earned her not only the President’s Service Award but also the moniker “service hero” of the University of Saskatchewan.
