The Keith M. Miser Leadership Award, named in honor of the former UVM Dean of Students (1975-1988) is presented to a graduating senior in recognition of outstanding service to University of Vermont through campus leadership. The year’s award goes to Téa van Linde (she/her).
van Linde, an English and Sociology major with a Theater minor, transferred to UVM in the fall of 2021 with a commitment to “study what she felt most passionate about.” Despite a demanding course load, her passion—paired with dedicated drive and sharp focus—earned her a 3.9 GPA and induction into the International Sociology Honor Society Alpha Kappa Delta. Even more, van Linde volunteered hundreds of hours throughout her time at UVM as a peer note-taker to support the academic success of fellow Catamounts. van Linde also found success on stage—in her final semester, she performed in the lead role of Dance Nation, a production by the UVM School of the Arts.
A highly involved student leader, van Linde has served as a Resident Advisor, a member of The University Players, participated in intramural sports, and served three years on the University Program Board (UPB). In her senior year, van Linde was the Chair of UPB and led a team of 20 peers to offer more than 50 programs on campus.
Téa is known for her tireless work to create opportunities for the UVM community to meaningfully connect with each other. Her eagerness to create connection points and a boundless energy and positive spirit are a vehicle through which she has impacted the campus community.