The Executive Board has decided to award the University Medal to Ellen based on a unanimous recommendation from the jury. The nomination featured a large number of letters of recommendation from a broad range of both senior and junior university staff. This underscores Ellen's broad commitment during her long career at the University. In the words of the jury report: “In whatever position she occupies, Ellen always prioritises the interests of the organisation as a whole, consistently proving herself to be a paragon of service, loyalty and expertise.”
Mix of qualities and competences
Ellen's career at Radboud University began in 1990 and spans several decades. Her roles included personal assistant to the Rector, Registrar of the Executive Board, and secretary of many work groups and committees, including the Academic Integrity Committee. She was head of the General & Legal Affairs department for almost a decade, was Manager of Operations at Radboud Services for two years, and in 2019, she moved to the Faculty of Arts, where she has since been Board Secretary.
The letters of recommendation reveal that she does not easily fit into a single job description: “If there are gaps somewhere within the Faculty's management organisation, Ellen is the first to fill them. Her mix of qualities and competences guarantees that the organisation runs smoothly, precisely also at times when the board she is supporting is facing rougher weather. Or when circumstances are against us, as during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Ellen remained the spider in the web against all odds.”
Courage to speak up
In particular, the jury points to a letter of support that praises Ellen's courage in speaking up and opposing the Board. “Ellen understands that board members don't just want people to blindly agree with them, and that it is precisely opposition – at the right time, with the right tone and with knowledge of the facts – that can save a board from mistakes and discomfort.”
Not only is Ellen an extremely important employee for administrators, younger colleagues also see her as a shining example, source of inspiration, and mentor. She combines her broad knowledge of academic affairs with a strong sense of humanity, humour, and commitment to the University. She also has a keen eye for upcoming talent.
The jury recommends awarding Ellen this medal all the more now that the end of her long career at Radboud University is in sight. They sum up the many eulogies from the nominations and recommendation in the compliment that Ellen belongs to the kind of staff that keeps Radboud University running.