The Dynamic Duo: When colleagues become family
In May of 2000, Trudy Mosmann and Maria Smith BEd’96, started working in the same University Advancement office at the U of R. Almost 25 years later their relationship holds strong.
Maria is an Advancement Officer working with gifts, while Trudy’s portfolio focuses on pledges. Together the Gift/Pledge Officer positions play a critical role in managing donations received from internal and external donors to the University and ensure University Advancement meets all policies and requirements for accepting donations and issuing charitable tax receipts.
Prior to taking on her current role in Advancement Services and having two children, Maria worked as a substitute teacher for a few years and worked at the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory. Trudy owned and operated a hotdog cart outside Habano’s night club in the 90s, painted microwave towers all day by climbing up them with two paint cans strapped to the safety harness, and worked several server jobs before going back to school for a Certificate in Business.
Maria and Trudy’s fun-loving spirits and dedication to their work infuse their service to alumni, donors, staff, faculty, and other members of the U of R community with care and respect.
What's the best part of your job?
Maria: The best part is definitely my co-workers and our sense of camaraderie. We are all working towards a common goal and having fun while doing it! I also love that I get to work remotely two days a week, especially in the winter.
Trudy: Days, months, years, decades have flown by working in University Advancement because I have the best coworkers. Over the past 25 years, we have enjoyed a lot of shenanigans including the Halloween costume and ugly Christmas sweater contests, Tiki Parties, scavenger hunts, lawn bowling, and more. I love the work-life balance and so do my puppy dogs the days when I work from home.
Is there a moment that sticks out for you during your time at the U of R that really helped you to feel a sense of connection to the University?
Maria: I have spent over half my life at the U of R either as a student or in my current position. A few highlights for me were working during the Building Dreams and Futures fundraising campaign, having the 2005 Canada Summer Games on campus, and enjoying this year’s celebrations for the 50th Anniversary. As a music lover, I especially love that we raised money to restore Darke Hall to its former glory.
Trudy: Being part of the fundraising department over the past 25 years, I’ve gotten to see firsthand our department’s success in advancing the strategic priorities of the University. There have been hundreds of new awards, research initiatives, and the many buildings that our department has helped become reality such as the KHS building (Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport) and College Avenue Campus revitalization.
What would you like donors to know about the importance and impact of their gifts?
Maria & Trudy: We love having a job where you can see the direct impact we, as a department, are having on students. We often receive donations for scholarships and bursaries and have had the chance to read letters from recipients of these scholarships describing the difference this financial help has made in their lives. We would say to all current and prospective donors that your support really does help change lives!
What motivated you to choose this career path?
Maria: Once I was ready to get back into the workforce post-children, I wanted a more stable career and joining the University felt like coming home. I started at the U of R in our Alumni Department. This was a good fit for both sides as the University could benefit from the perspectives of a very recent grad, and I got to see how the University makes connections within the U of R family and the larger community.
Trudy: I had a very young family and was motivated to find a permanent full-time Monday-to-Friday job with great benefits and holidays. Turns out I made some great friends along the way and soon it didn’t even really feel like work anymore, so 25 years later I’m still in the department.
What are some of your favourite hobbies and passions?
Maria: In my spare time I enjoy stitching and other crafts, but my favourite pastime is treasure hunting (a.k.a. estate or garage sales) with Trudy.
Trudy: I love to collect vintage starburst clocks, glass Christmas ornaments, crewel stitches, singing fish, and other kitschy vintage items. Most Saturday mornings you can find Maria and I at the front of the line at estate sales, waiting in the rain, snow, and cold to find vintage treasures. I also support the ALS society with helping raise silent auction item donations for the annual ALS walk. The ALS society provided my family with so much assistance when my husband had ALS. I like to give back to them so they can continue to help other Saskatchewan families in need.
Want to find out more about the University Advancement team? Read past profiles.
Banner photo credit: University Advancement