Calderwood continues to travel, give back to society

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:35:46 +0000

In 1992, Denise Calderwood (MEd '93) was completing the final year of her master's degree in international education at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge when, having made friends with a number of international students, she noticed that many of them were missing the traditions and familiarity of home.

It was a simple observation, but it led her to found a new annual tradition at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ – the International Dinner.

"For many international students, eating is a great way to be hospitable and to enjoy one another's company; the students were missing that. I thought if they were able to cook for us it would make them feel more at home, like the hosts instead of always the guests. The students were quite excited about that," explains Calderwood.

The inaugural dinner was held in Southminster United Church. Under the supervision of a cooking professor from Lethbridge College, Calderwood and the students prepared about 15 ethnic dishes for approximately 200 guests. The evening included a speaker and a live auction with various donations including ethnic artwork and musical performances. The proceeds from the evening went towards an international student scholarship.

Denise Calderwood was a key contributor to the creation of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's annual International Dinner.

While the students no longer cook the dinner, Calderwood is thrilled that the evening remains an important tradition, providing an opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community to learn about and celebrate its diversity.

"Through the years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has recognized the value of the international student community. I am very pleased with the development and growth of the International Centre for Students. We all gain from the international students who come to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ; we understand world issues differently when we have seen and discussed world views with people from other lands," says Calderwood, whose enthusiasm for learning about other cultures and peoples began when she was just a child.

"I grew up in Vancouver in a very multi-cultural community with kids from around the world frequently arriving as new immigrants to Canada. I was always interested in who they were, where they came from and their family traditions."

As a young adult, Calderwood earned a bachelor of education in special education from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia, but her childhood passion for international studies continued to burn bright. In October 1974, she set off on a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship to the American ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Beirut in Lebanon to pursue a master's in international education. Unfortunately, civil war broke out and the danger of remaining in Lebanon became too great. She was forced to abandon her studies and leave the country in June 1975. She returned to Canada to teach special education in Claresholm, Alta. She married in 1977 and kept busy with work and a growing family, but she never lost sight of her goal to complete her master's degree.

"In 1991, I applied to complete my master's at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in international education; however, my coursework from Lebanon did not transfer. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ graciously allowed me to create my program which included core courses, an internship in Malaysia, summer courses with the Summer Institute of Intercultural communication in Portland, Oregon and a thesis paper about the adjustments international students face when they go to school," explains Calderwood.

In 1993, Calderwood completed her master's and stayed on at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, volunteering 3-4 hours each day as an international student liaison. Two years later she had literally volunteered her way into a job. During her two years as an employee at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Caldwell had the opportunity to travel to Fujian Province China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore to meet with alumni and to promote the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I was the international student liaison from 1995-1997. I enjoyed it very much, helping the students, going to conferences and seeing what the students' lives had become after they were back in their home countries," remembers Calderwood.

She continues to have a passion for cultures and people the world over. She has travelled for pleasure, volunteer work and further studies to 42 different countries and plans to volunteer at a small school in Angola in the near future.

As to why she continues to travel the world Calderwood simply says, "I love to do that, so I do."

GET THE FACTS

· From January to April 1992, Calderwood and her children lived in Kuala Lumpur where she interned as an academic advisor at the Canadian Education Centre, which was set up to attract international students to Canadian Universities

· She has been a part of the production and filming of seven documentary films

· Calderwood's extensive volunteer work includes time with the Mother Tongue Literacy program in Kenya and an orphanage in Mexico

· Calderwood never tires of learning and plans to begin an undergraduate degree in Canadian history

This story first appeared in the April 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Scholarships provide boost

trevor.kenney — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:22:25 +0000

When Faculty of Arts & Science students need help planning their academic careers, they often find their way to Lesley Rode.

An academic advisor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for the past 13 years, Rode gets to know students well and has come to understand the struggles they face – inspiring her to provide help above and beyond her advising role.

Lesley Rode gets great satisfaction out of helping students achieve their academic goals.

Starting as an academic advisor at Lethbridge College, Rode made the move to the U of L in 1998. More and more of the students she worked with at Lethbridge College planned to transfer to the U of L, so coming here seemed like a natural progression for her. One of the draws to the U of L for Rode was the unique student experience offered here.

"I really like the fact that students at the U of L are able to work with professors through independent studies and other unique learning opportunities," says Rode. "I see this as a real key to students finding success."

Rode revels in the opportunity to work closely with students and see them progress as they move through their academic careers. She says she has no problem being their biggest cheerleader, especially for those who may be struggling to find their way.

"I am most proud when the students with the greatest challenges complete their programs," she says. "When the students do well it's very validating, and makes you feel as though your work is really worthwhile."

Just as Rode's advising is important to students, she recognizes how important student success is to faculty and staff.

"Without students we wouldn't be here," she says. "Taking part in the Supporting Our Students campaign is a way to remind students of their valuable place here and how much we appreciate they have chosen to get their education here."

For Rode, scholarships are essential to students being able to achieve their goals.

"When students receive scholarships it's a tremendous boost to them," she says. "My hope is that scholarships can one day be given to all students. The SOS campaign is a step towards that."

For more information on Supporting Our Students, please visit www.uleth.ca/giving or call ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement at 403-329-2582.

This story first appeared in the April 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

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Calderwood continues to travel, give back to society

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