Congratulations to Department Administrator Cam Cronin who has been recognized with a 2025 President’s Service Award for Excellence! The President’s Service Awards for Excellence are presented annually to up to five staff members who have made exceptional contributions to UBC and who exemplify excellence in their achievements.
Cam has been a staff member of the Department since 2013 (having also graduated with a BA in Theatre from the Department in 1996), leading the staff team and managing a wide range of responsibilities with skill, generosity, and good humour. Described by many as the heart of the Department, he fosters a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment built on care and a deep commitment to the study and practice of theatre and film.
His role spans a diverse set of responsibilities, from balancing complex funding sources to coordinating space allocation across eight buildings. Despite the Department’s geographical spread, Cam’s leadership plays a key role in cultivating a strong sense of community.
Cam is also known for going above and beyond to support students, faculty, and staff. During the pandemic, he organized commemorative T-shirts for graduating students to ensure they still felt celebrated despite the lack of in-person gatherings. He continues to build connection through community traditions, including his well-loved biannual barbecues and monthly staff meetings with cake.
Cam has overseen improvements to accessibility such as the installation of a ramp for the Dorothy Somerset Studio Theatre and collaborated with UBC Planning to enhance access at the Frederic Wood Theatre. These efforts reflect his commitment to ensuring that departmental spaces are welcoming and inclusive for all.
Colleagues across the Department speak highly of Cam’s contributions:
“Cam is the embodiment of the vivacious community that exists in the Department of Theatre & Film. He was able to steer everyone through the awkwardness of hosting post-COVID live events and re-established this department as a safe and engaging space to learn and work. He always prioritizes the needs of faculty, staff, and students—listening, supporting, and guiding with experience and empathy. I have learned so much from him as a boss and mentor. Cam is absolutely deserving of this award; our department would not be thriving as it is without him.
—Mia Booth, Academic Administrator
“Running five disciplines would be enough to run most managers ragged, yet Cam always has time for our staff, students, and faculty. Whether it’s helping with printing—again—or reconciling finances—again—Cam’s patience seems to know no bounds.”
—Borja Brown, Production Manager
“Cam manages the immense logistical challenges of our varying academic offerings and student productions to ensure that we offer nothing but the highest quality work to the UBC community and beyond. He is a nurturing and compassionate mentor who welcomes new ideas and skills from all to make the department function even better.”
—Dmitri Lennikov, Film Collections Coordinator
“Colleagues often cite Cam’s ‘extraordinary’ and ‘magical’ ability to juggle our department’s many needs, all while keeping a sense of humour. He is unfailingly solution-oriented and positive. Every day I see the impact of his tremendous care for the well-being of all of our community members. It is important that UBC honour someone who so consistently goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that UBC students, staff and faculty can successfully meet their goals.”
—Kirsty Johnston, Department Head, Professor
