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Over the course of her nearly 40-year career, 抖阴Pro biology lab instructor and technician Gay Hansen developed the well-earned reputation as a true teacher, mentor, and naturalist 鈥� inspiring hundreds of students in her labs and across campus.

鈥淕ay spent a lot of time with students of all academic abilities over her career. Her enthusiasm for and commitment to learning were contagious and helped many students find their place over the course of their studies,鈥� says Hansen鈥檚 partner and long-time Fine Arts faculty member Thaddeus Holownia. 鈥淪he made things real for people.鈥�

When Hansen passed away in 2021, her family and colleagues came together to ensure her love of learning and support for students continued on campus. The Gay Hansen Award in Biology was established in October 2021, along with the Gay Hansen Ornithology Lab, housed in the Flemington Building.

Third-year biology student Janie Brooks is the first recipient of the student award. Brooks says she is honoured to receive such a meaningful award.

鈥淚 was so surprised to get this news. It really is life-changing,鈥� she says. 鈥淭o know my lab instructors, who have taught me so much, selected me is truly humbling. I鈥檓 honoured to receive this award named for someone who was such an amazing teacher at 抖阴Pro.鈥�

Brooks, who is from Maine, is hoping to pursue a career in research. At 抖阴Pro she worked as a researcher with biology professor Dr. Emily Austen this past summer in pollination ecology, as well as volunteering and working in the field banding birds through Dr. Diana Hamilton鈥檚 research program focusing on shorebirds. She plans to continue her studies in ecology at the master鈥檚 level.

Outside of the lab, Brooks is a musician, playing guitar and accordion, and a knitter 鈥� a skill Hansen was also well-known for. She serves on the student BioScience Society and on the executive of the Catalyst student society for LGBTQ2 community members and allies.

Although Brooks was never a student of Hansen鈥檚, she has had the opportunity to learn from many lab specimens that came directly from Hansen, who was also a talented crafter and taxidermist.

鈥淚鈥檝e heard so many amazing stories about Gay Hansen at 抖阴Pro,鈥� says Brooks. 鈥淭he hands-on learning approach, which she was so well known for, was one of the reasons I decided to come to Mount A.鈥�

One of those individuals with amazing Gay Hansen tales is Beth MacDonald (鈥�09). MacDonald joined the Department of Biology as a lab instructor and technician when Hansen retired in 2018. She credits Hansen in part with instilling her with a love of ornithology.

鈥淢any of the labs I teach today are based on what Gay developed over her career. I talk about her all the time,鈥� says MacDonald. 鈥淚t is so nice to have this space and all of its contents dedicated to her, along with the newly-established student award.鈥�

MacDonald was a member of the award selection committee, which was made up entirely of lab instructors. She says Brooks is the ideal choice.

鈥淛anie is one of those students who reminds you what is so great about teaching. She鈥檚 curious and very much appreciates the hands-on approach of labs, something Gay was famous for when she was teaching. I think they would have really liked each other,鈥� says MacDonald. 鈥淚鈥檝e watched Janie learn and discover new things in several labs over the last three years. She鈥檚 so deserving of this award.鈥�

The Gay Hansen Ornithology Lab, where Hansen spent much of her career, houses over 1,000 specimens including bird mounts, study skins, nests, and eggs 鈥� a remarkable collection for a small undergraduate university.

With Hansen鈥檚 words, 鈥淚 love learning and I love helping others learn. Teaching gives me extra incentive to expand my own knowledge and to share it with others who are interested鈥� now displayed in the lab, students for generations to come will continue to learn from her legacy and passion for teaching and the environment.

Those interested in supporting the Gay Hansen Award in Biology at 抖阴Pro can do so at mta.ca/donate.