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Faculty of Information Associate Professor Lynne Teather has been awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada through the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) in recognition of her exceptional contributions to Canadian culture and heritage.

“This is quite overwhelming,” said Teather, who is retiring this year from the Faculty of Information after more than 30 years teaching Museum Studies at the University of Toronto.

CMA Executive director and CEO, John McAvity, said it gave him “great pleasure” to notify Teather of this prestigious award.

“Lynne Teather is an internationally recognized museologist who has contributed greatly for over 30 years to this profession, its development and the training of students," said McAvity. "This award provides the opportunity to recognize exceptional individuals such as Lynne.”

The citation on the award reads, "For her dedication to professional development and teaching of museology in Canada." CMA will honour Teather during its Annual Awards Banquet on April 25, when she and other winners will be presented with their medals by a senior government official.

Dean Seamus Ross expressed how proud colleagues, students and staff are of Teather's achievements and her contribution to the work of the Faculty.

"For more than 30 years Prof Lynne Teather has shaped the educational landscape in museum studies through her teaching, her scholarly engagement, and her action. Her efforts have promoted positive change and inspired her students to excel and to contribute to fostering Canada's vibrant cultural heritage sector. We are delighted to see her excellence so visibly and profoundly recognized as it is by this award," he said.

Teather obtained one of the world’s first Doctorates in Museum Studies and has been a professor in this field at the University of Toronto for more than thirty years. She is a well-recognized museum consultant, is involved in numerous professional museum associations, and is Chair of the International Council of Training of Museum Personnel.  

She is also a cultural heritage consultant, and in this capacity, regularly questions the political and economic assumptions of cultural institutions. Her prior recognition include the Ontario Museums Association Life-Time Contribution Award.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was created as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne. During 2012, 60,000 Canadians will receive the recognition.

Congratulations, Professor Teather.