Twelve University of Guelph faculty, staff and students are among 56 women nominated for the 2016 YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.

The annual awards will be handed out May 5 during a gala at the River Run Centre.

Johnston hall

Julia Christensen Hughes, dean of the College of Business and Economics (CBE), served as honorary chair of this year’s awards.

Nominations are made in 11 categories. U of G-affiliated nominees are the following:

Education and training: CBE professor Melanie Lang, director of the Centre for Business and Student Enterprise; Prof. Karen Landman, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development

Health, wellness and recreation: Andrea LaMarre, PhD student; Lynne Skilton-Hayes, fitness program supervisor, Department of Athletics

Information technology: Heather Leong, senior analyst, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)

Science and research: Profs. Alison Duncan, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences; Robin Milhausen, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition; Lucy Mutharia, Molecular and Cellular Biology; and Carolyn Kerr, chair of OVC’s Department of Clinical Studies

Voluntary services: Irene Thompson, director of student housing, Farial Hashimi, undergraduate student.

Young women of distinction (aged 16 to 19): Adrianna Olszewski, student

Young women of distinction (aged 20 to 24): Julia Romagnoli, student