UNews - Charlene Janes

Grasping an opportunity

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:12:00 +0000

Senthooran Thangarajah has found a second home to his native Sri Lanka, one he intends to make his permanent home in years to come. Considering he never knew that Canada or the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge were viable options for his overseas studies until meeting Charlene Janes of the International Centre for Students (ICS) – it's amazing how far he's come.

"I'd started my schooling in Malaysia in a two-plus-two program, so I'd always planned to finish elsewhere but I thought the United States was my only option," says Thangarajah, who just completed his final semester in the Faculty of Management (finance).

Janes was at a Canadian post-secondary education fair in Malaysia when she met Thangarajah and presented the U of L as an option. With prodding from a supportive sister, he took the leap and has never looked back. Ready to convocate this spring, Thangarajah turned a co-op placement into a job with ATB Financial, has immersed himself in Canadian culture, will soon apply for an international work visa and has his sights set on becoming a permanent Canadian resident down the road.

Senthooran Thangarajah turned a co-op placement into the start of a rewarding career.

His success was not without its challenges but through those difficulties, he discovered a culture of support at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and an internal strength that has led to boundless opportunity.

Thangarajah struggled with his first few classes. He eventually dropped Writing 1000, contemplated dropping a Management course in which he was languishing and performed poorly on his first two midterms. It was eye opening for a student used to success.

"I think the schooling I did in Malaysia was much easier," says Thangarajah. "I would sit up for the whole night just before the exam and come home with A's pretty easy, but that wasn't the case here. I had to work a lot harder.

"There it was just about the textbook, there is not much in terms of extra-curricular activities. Here, it's a much bigger school, there's a lot more extra-curricular activity, a lot harder work and much more real-time experience."

He discussed his difficulties with Janes and she spoke with some of Thangarajah's professors about the challenges he was facing in adapting to a new style of learning. He eventually turned his poor midterms into A's and began to gain confidence. Thangarajah also started to meet people on campus and it opened up his student experience.

His best decision may have been to attend an ICS information session where he learned about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's co-op programs. He applied at ATB Financial, earned a co-op placement and is now a personal banking specialist.

When he returned to full-time studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, he came back with a greater sense of confidence – but there was one obstacle he still needed to conquer.

"My first challenge was to take Writing 1000 again because I had dropped it the first time," he says. "When I passed that class, that was where I really got motivated and felt that I could succeed at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

Thangarajah sees the future as limitless, and credits the U of L and his second home for opening his eyes to the possibilities.

"I feel people are a lot more open-minded here than what I see back home in Sri Lanka," he says. "There are a lot more opportunities to explore here, and if you get into the right path, there's definitely opportunities to achieve."

GET THE FACTS

· One of his greatest worries moving to Lethbridge was dealing with the weather. The average daily temperature in Sri Lanka ranges from 28 to 31 degrees Celsius

· Thangarajah's parents were unable to support him financially beyond his first two semesters, after which he paid for the rest of his education

· His work at ATB Financial includes everything except mortgage lending, which he is now pursuing. He plans to then move into investment banking

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Finding success a long way from home

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:49:20 +0000

To say Emmanuel Ofoegbunam (BMgt '11) had a plan when he first left Nigeria for post-secondary studies would vastly underrate his intrepid spirit.

Now 25, a recent U of L grad and a junior accountant at Calgary's Edon Management, Ofoegbunam's philosophy is rooted in taking on challenges and adventures. It led him first to Malaysia to begin his education, then brought him across the world to Canada and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Alumnus Emmanuel Ofoegbunam is already working as a junior accountant.

"You can just read about something or some place but I want to feel it, to experience it so that I can tell the story in my own way," says Ofoegbunam, who graduated with a bachelor of management degree in accounting and finance.

His people, from the Igbo tribe, are known for their business acumen, and as Ofoegbunam says, "We work for ourselves, we can get it done."

So it was with that attitude and unfailing support from his parents that he left his hometown of Onitsha for Binary ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College of Management & Entrepreneurship in Kuala Lumpur.

"When I left home to go to Malaysia, that was the most challenging part," says Ofoegbunam. "When I finished my studies, as much as I'm very close to my parents, sometimes you have to give up something to achieve greater things. They've been with me, they've supported me every way possible with advice, moral support, financial support – you name it."

Setting his sights on Canada, Ofoegbunam was accepted to three schools but the U of L quickly won out.

"The most important thing was the turnaround time for replies from the International Centre for Students office and the Registrar's office," he says. "The cycle time was one day maximum for phone calls or e-mails. It really made me feel like I was in a one-on-one relationship with the people in Lethbridge."

That didn't change when he arrived on campus in April 2007 when he was confronted with, among other things, windy -2C weather and a daunting list of tasks in a completely foreign country.

"It wasn't anything what I expected . . . it's better than what I expected," says Ofoegbunam, thanks largely to the assistance of ICS and specifically International Liaison Officer Charlene Janes.

"I asked her the first week I was here, "Do you treat everybody like this?" She was not just a lady sitting behind a desk getting her job done. She talked to me, gave me advice like a son and that blew me away. She was so helpful from day one."

The cultural challenges Ofoegbunam faced were many, let alone a weather cycle he had never imagined (both Nigeria and Malaysia average temperatures in the 28C range). Janes helped him get settled, find an apartment, register for classes and meet the people in the Faculty of Management who would set him on his path. When he again had questions on what major to focus on following his second year, she facilitated meetings with the professors who would best serve his needs. It was those conversations, what Ofoegbunam calls "out of boundary" talks where his professors related their experience that really pointed him towards his career.

He completed his studies in December 2010 and two weeks later, was employed.

"Now that I live in Calgary, I really see it. If you're a student, Lethbridge is the place for you," he says. "There are less distractions, which is good because am I here to just have fun or to study and the answer for me was simple and straightforward. This was the environment that helped me do better with my studies."

GET THE FACTS

· Ofoegbunam's parents planned to come to Canada for Spring Convocation but were forced to stay behind when his grandmother passed away. "I would have appreciated if they were here with me today but I know they are with me in spirit."

· Ofoegbunam had never seen snow before moving to Lethbridge. "I didn't just see it, I felt it," he says, adding with a laugh. "The wind, God forbid, it's bad. When it gets cold, the wind adds to it and it gets to minus-1 million, at least that's what it feels like."

· Summing up his educational experience at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Ofoegbunam says, "It wasn't good, it was perfect."

This story first appeared in the Legend. To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Experiencing as much as possible

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:26:03 +0000

International exchange student Radek Eryk Bachorz might not yet know where he's going to end up, but it's safe to say it'll be an interesting ride getting there.

The 26-year-old native of Poland is completing his fourth year of study at the U of L, turning what was initially a one-year exchange opportunity into an entirely new life with no apparent boundaries.

"I'm trying to keep the broad perspective on everything," says Bachorz when asked about his career aspirations. "Having a narrow goal isn't the best for me, it's about having wide horizons and looking for something that will really be satisfying, not necessarily profitable at first, but will put a smile on my face and make me happy to go to work every day."

Polish exchange student Radek Eryk Bachorz has made the most of his opportunities at the U of L.

Currently studying international management with minors in supply chain management and social responsibility, Bachorz actually already has a master's degree. He completed his master's in Investment and Corporate Financial Strategies in August 2010 from Poznan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Economics in Poland, a degree supplemented by his exchange work here at the U of L.

But Bachorz's experience is about so much more than the classroom, something he only discovered after finishing his master's and took another look at his education.

"After completing my degree, I got really involved in student life last year," says Bachorz. "I totally changed my way of attending school, where I realize it's not only about getting good marks, it's also about extra-curricular activities."

His involvement with the Faculty of Management's JDC West business case competition was the impetus.

"My co-captains, Jill Morrison and Travis Letwin, put me in this different world and opened my eyes on new opportunities," he says. "I really wanted to give something back to the Alberta community, but there were too many things taking up my time, and I was really determined to finish my degree back in Europe. Last fall I decided to focus a bit less on being outstanding academically to try and get more involved in non-academic activities."

He volunteered for YWCA Lethbridge and the Humane Society, helped out the Management International Programs Office as a mentor in their buddy program, participated in the International Centre for Students (ICS) Cultural Expo and was keen to assist at various faculty functions such as Management Preview Day. This past spring he spent a week hustling change outside the Students' Union as one of the 5 Days for the Homeless participants and gladly had his head shaved (for the fourth straight year) as a supporter of the Head Shave for Cancer initiative.

"When I had the opportunity to take less of a course load, I knew this is what I wanted to do," says Bachorz. "It's not just about the GPA, it's also about getting
involved and participating in the student life."

He credits the U of L culture for helping him thrive in his new country, and gives thanks to both the ICS (especially Charlene Janes) and the International Exchange program in the Faculty of Management (specifically Andrea Amelinckx, Rhonda Crow and Gizelle Tiponut) for helping in his transition.

"Honestly, after the first semester, I was so impressed with how approachable everybody was," he says. "It's a very practical atmosphere here, so many small groups, you can really go to your prof or any faculty or staff member and you'll be treated as a valuable student, not just one of a thousand.

"After just a few semesters I found you would be called by name in the hallways and that was very surprising to me. I had never seen anything like that before. You are really treated as a person here, not just someone known by their Student ID number, who is coming to get a degree and leaving the university unnoticed."

When exactly he'll finish his degree, he's not sure. Right now he's looking to secure a job on campus to stay in Lethbridge for the summer. Beyond that, he will continue to learn and look to make an impact, wherever that may lead him.

"Education is the best investment," says Bachorz. "I have learned so many valuable things from people I've met. The relationships you make are invaluable. You guys in Canada are so supportive. It is great to be given such an amazing opportunity to live and study here."

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Hansen benefits from personal touch

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:25:57 +0000

A Wikipedia search led Danish student Stine Hansen to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's web door, but it was the personal attention she received thereafter that brought her to campus.

Hansen is in her fourth year, thriving as an international student with her eyes set on completing a degree in urban and regional studies. Now an ambassador for the U of L experience, she's a far greater resource than any Wikipedia link.

"Everything I learned about Lethbridge before I moved here, I learned on Wikipedia," she laughs, admitting now that to pack up and leave Denmark to study in Lethbridge, Alberta was a major leap of faith.

International student Stine Hansen found the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge through Wikipedia.

"It was a bit of a risk but my parents were, surprisingly enough, very supportive," says the 27-year-old. "The registrar's office was really good helping me with my courses and transcript, and I just got a really good feeling about the place.

"I also got such good support from the International Centre for Students (ICS). They told me what to expect when I arrived, how to get settled, when to arrive, and how they would help me. At the time, because of all that support, it didn't seem that big a deal to sell everything I owned, pack three suitcases and move here. Looking back it was a little bit crazy."

You might think her assimilation into Canadian culture was an easy one. Hansen's a European who speaks English, and she had been motivated to come study in Canada after a high school exchange program took her to Nova Scotia when she was 16. But the culture, food and lifestyle are markedly different and it began to hit her on the drive from the Calgary airport to Lethbridge.

"The first town I went through was Nanton, then Claresholm, then Fort
Macleod and I really started to wonder what I had gotten myself into," she says, having grown up 20 minutes from Copenhagen and recently lived there. "I came into Lethbridge on a rainy Sunday afternoon – it looked deserted and I felt very alone."

She once again used the International Centre for support. Hansen attended the various meet and greet sessions with other international students, took advantage of the Global Connections partner program and signed up to play intramural soccer.

"If you're shy you're never going to get anywhere, you really have to open up. I used to be a shy person but now, I figure you have to step out there," says Hansen.

Her studies followed suit, and she quickly found that the personal attention she received from ICS and the registrar's office was reflected in her classes.

"That's what I like so much about the U of L, it's a small campus and pretty much every class I've ever had I can go to the professors and say, "I don't get this", and they'll sit down and help you out," says Hansen. "They really try, they know your name and I really like that."

Originally interested in pursuing a career in urban planning, she changed her focus to the study of human geography and found a special kinship with anthropology professor, Dr. Jan Newberry. She's excited to work on an Independent Study program with Newberry this summer.

"When I go back home I always say how much I love doing what I'm doing," says Hansen. "Even here, I've convinced a few people to come into my major. I love the multidisciplinary aspect of it, because you can study anthropology, sociology, geography, it's been great."

In fact, Hansen credits women's studies professor, Dr. Tiffany Muller Myrdahl, with setting her on a career path.

"She suggested I attend the Association of American Geographers' Annual Meeting last year. I went with another international student to Washington, D.C., and I came away knowing this is what I wanted to do. I really appreciate her showing that to me," says Hansen, who intends to pursue a master's degree in geography of disability and transportation.

Her success as a student has not been easy, and it hasn't been a straight line but because of support from all over campus, Hansen is eager to talk about her U of L experience. It's why she jumped at the opportunity to participate in the recent International Student Fair in the Atrium, where students from around the globe constructed tri-fold displays to help educate campus about their home nations.

"We got out there and the people who wanted to ask questions got that opportunity," she says. "It's definitely worth doing again. I believe if I only reach a few, it's still a success. I think there's a misconception that international students are only from the Far East but we are a really diverse group and maybe I'm the only one from Denmark but that's OK."

GET THE FACTS

• Post-secondary education in Denmark is free, prompting Hansen to quip, "My parents really love me."

• Hansen's older sister completed a master's degree in economics from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Copenhagen.

• Hansen became ill during her second semester and credits ICS liaison officer Charlene Janes for helping her through. "She is the best person ever. The ICS staff really knows its students and Charlene knew what was best for me at that time. Every time my parents come to visit, they make sure they go visit Charlene because they appreciate how much she looks after us."

• Hansen's tri-fold display highlighted the differences between Canadian and Danish Christmas traditions. She was also eager to tell people just where Denmark is in the world. "I love to talk about my country and I don't expect everyone to know. The Fair was great because I got a chance to show them what my Denmark is like."

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Dinner helps bridge gap

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:22:18 +0000

Christmas, like many other holidays, can be a difficult time for international students to be away from family and friends. With events like the annual International Christmas Dinner, the International Centre for Students (ICS) helps ease that feeling of isolation, all the while introducing international students to Canadian customs and traditions.

Charlene Janes, the international liaison officer at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, plays a major role in assisting international students as they adapt to campus life socially, academically and culturally.

"I represent international student interests at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, act as an advocate on behalf of international students on both academic and welfare issues, and provide advice, support and referral to students," says Janes.

Janes and the ICS encourage students to participate in the social and recreational activities the office provides. These include the monthly International Café gatherings, where birthdays are celebrated, stories are shared, games are played and students are presented an opportunity to build friendships. Potluck dinners and the annual Christmas gathering are also popular events.

Eddie Sottie, an international student from Ghana and PhD candidate in biomolecular science, has been studying at the U of L for the last 15 months. He says he makes an effort to attend all the events planned by the International Centre.

"The events they organize for us have really helped me to learn so many things about the way Canadians relate to people and treat foreigners," says Sottie. "International students are treated with so much respect, and I am so impressed with the way Charlene pays attention to our needs."

The traditional Christmas dinner was held on Dec. 3 in the Students' Union Ballroom. Students were invited to bring a Canadian guest as well as any family members to the event. In addition, four international alumni also attended.

"My kids were showered with Christmas presents," laughs Sottie. "The event and the dinner mean a lot to us as a family because it helps us feel at home."

The tradition of the International Christmas Dinner started three years ago, and serves as the last major international student event for the fall semester. Its rise in popularity, over the past three years, has been remarkable. The first dinner had just 35 attendees, while the second ballooned to 72. This year, the number doubled once again, with 150 people taking part.

"Many of our students go home or travel at Christmas so this has provided a wonderful opportunity for us all to connect prior to the Christmas break," explains Janes.

"We had two very special guests this year as Dr. Mike Mahon and his wife Maureen attended. They talked with each student and barely had time to eat. It seemed every student wanted their picture taken with the new president and his wife."

For a look at the full issue of the December Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

International Café breaks down barriers

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:36:21 +0000

It's amazing the effect candles on a birthday cake can have when you're thousands of miles away from home.

Charlene Janes knows what even the smallest touches can do for a student seeking to belong in a new country. As international liaison officer for the International Centre for Students, Janes sees the challenges that international students face when studying in a foreign country. Any chance she has to stem some of the anxiety they experience, she seizes.

Out of that desire, the International Café was born in the spring of 2009.

"The idea was to provide a casual and comfortable setting for our international students that encourages them to get to know each other and develop friendships," says Janes. "It gives them the chance to ask their advisors or any guests at the Café questions in an informal setting and hopefully breaks down some barriers in the process."

The International Café is held once a month (the last Friday) for the first three months of each semester. Janes books Anderson Hall (AH100) for a two-hour block and students have the opportunity to mingle with their fellow international students as well as guests from the various resource units on campus.

"We do it in AH100 because it has some couches and is much more informal than a classroom setting," says Janes. "The first few events we've held, I've invited staff from Counselling Services, the Health Centre, Arts & Science Academic Advising and so on to try and help develop some awareness with the students of all the resources and services available to them here on campus."

In September, the International Café was attended by students from Belize, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, China, United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, Malaysia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, St. Lucia, Dominica, Bahamas, Pakistan and Kenya.

The Café features birthday celebrations for those who've had a birthday in the previous month, while also recognizing major holidays and celebrations that have occurred in the students' country of residence.

"We are just trying to reduce some of the loneliness they can experience by recognizing and celebrating the events they may have left behind in their home country," says Janes. "At the same time, we hope to develop their awareness of the various resources and services available to them on campus.
"I also anticipate that such a program can enhance awareness amongst the broader ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community of the many obstacles, successes, hopes and dreams of our international students. They really are an amazing group and add so much to our campus."

Saint Lucia to Lethbridge proving to be a well-worn path

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:23:35 +0000

The Caribbean is a common destination spot for Canadians looking to escape the trials of winter and enjoy life in the tropics. For three cousins to come the other way however, leaving the resort island of Saint Lucia to live in Lethbridge, is hardly an ordinary occurrence.

In May, two of those cousins walked across the stage at the 1st Choice Savings Centre, earning undergraduate degrees from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as family members cheered them on.

"I could have studied in the Caribbean but it would have been very limited," says Kaisie Anius (BSc '09), the invocation reader for Spring Convocation, Ceremony II. "Caribbean culture is similar throughout the islands, so coming to a different country with a different culture, was good for opening my mind and scope. I feel like I've grown a lot."

Anius followed in the footsteps of her cousin Jeanelle James (BSc '09), who first chose the U of L by researching Canadian universities online. She came to Lethbridge in fall, 2003, while Anius made the trip the following spring.

"I was searching for schools online. I wanted to do a degree in biological sciences and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was one of the most affordable in Canada," James says.

"All my other family members went to school in the U.S. and England but I didn't want to go there and Canada was the choice."

Once here, it didn't take long for James to fit into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and determine that this was a place she was willing to recommend to other family members. After Anius came, a third cousin enrolled and is still studying at the U of L.

"The small class size was the main thing," James says. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's not too big, I liked that, and Lethbridge is a good size as well."

The entire island of Saint Lucia boasts a population of just over 160,000, so it was important the family found a place that was welcoming, thereby minimizing culture shock.

"The school is smaller, and it was easy to make friends, so that was really important. I also got to know my professors really well. I had no issues at all as far as my profs being helpful and always available. I was always able to e-mail and they would get right back to me." Anius says. "But it was still tough, the wind and the winter, it was very different for us."

What aided in the transition immensely was the International Centre for Students (ICS).

"Charlene Janes (international liaison officer and winner of the 2009 President's Award for APO/exempt staff) is wonderful, she works so hard at helping us out," Anius says.

Having benefited from the ICS, Anius got involved as a volunteer to help other students. She worked as a coordinator for the open exchange program and also became active in the International Students' Association.

Already employed, Anius is now working in Calgary in a recruitment position. It, however, is just a start.

"I'm not going to stop asking questions. I want to go to graduate school but it's very expensive so I'll have to work for a while," she says. "I need time to decide where I want to go, I want to make sure that whatever degree I take after, it is exactly what I want to do because it's a big investment."

Much like the investment her family first made when they chose the U of L to begin their post-secondary studies – one that obviously paid off.

Long service awards and honoured retirees

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:27:38 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ recently honoured 83 employees at the annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony.

Employees who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, as well as 18 retiring employees were all honoured at the ceremony.
Following is a list of those employees.

Retirees
Lynn Arnold, Judith Droessler, Eileen Ferguson, Peter Haney, Marilyn Hawryluk, Helen Henderson, Beatriz Housley, Luke Kwong, Ian McKenna, Linda Nicol, Ron Perverseff, Terry Prociuk, Lorraine Schimpf, Hiroshi Shimazaki, Helen Smith, Sara Stanley, Johnel Tailfeathers, Marie Yolland

Long Service Recipients

40 Years | Michael Kubara and Frank VandenHeuvel

35 Years | Lynne Brown, Gary Cunningham, Rose Helmer and Barbara Wolstoncroft

30 Years | Doris Kostiuk and Wendy Vogel

25 Years | Doran Anderson, Deb Bullock, Hank DeRidder, John Federkeil, Carol Gaetz, Ken Nicol, Stewart Rood, Linda Sebastian, Penny Secretan, Jerzy Szpakowski and Guy Vervoort

20 Years | John Bain, Allan Besplug, Craig Bullock, Cynthia Chambers, Helena Danyk, Lisa Doolittle, Marty Gadd, Andrew Hakin, David Kaminski, Luke Kwong, Judy Lavorato, Ian MacLachlan, Edward Malinsky, Duane Rockerbie, Gloria Samuels, Michael Stingl, Carrie Takeyasu, Pat Tanaka, Barb Thomsen, Gitte Villiger, Kathleen Willms, Shelly Wismath and Sajjad Zahir

15 Years | Jim Booth, Teresa Heyburn, Joan Kendall, Rob Kern, Richard Lutwick, Ron Schreiber, Terri Thomas, Nicholas Wade and Judith Whitehead

10 Years | Andrea Amelinckx, John Bronk, Adam Carter, Yllias Chali, Margaret Cook, Robert Cooney, Dennis Fitzpatrick, Fred Greene, Shauna Haag, Geoffrey Hale, Susan Hill, Shahadat Hossain, Charlene Janes, Harold Jansen, Randy Joseph, Edward Jurkowski, Catherine Kingfisher, Laurie Martin, Cathy Newman, Margot O'Donnell, Steve Patitsas, Michele Roberts, Chris Robinson, Debi Sandul, Stephane Simard, A. William Smith, Mike Spiteri, Stuart Thomas, Dawn-Ann Thys, Edwin Wasiak, Cheryl Wheeler and Jim Wills

Cramer, Janes recognized as President's Award recipients

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:42:06 +0000

The President's Award for Service Excellence recognizes exceptional service to The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. The Award is given to two individuals: one AUPE staff member and one APO/Exempt Support Staff member.

Naomi Cramer
(AUPE staff)

Described as the "backbone" of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, administrative assistant Naomi Cramer consistently goes beyond the call of duty to help students, faculty, staff and the general public.

Cramer has managed the front lines of the CCBN with total composure and competence through the dramatic growth and diversification of the centre. Her contributions to the CCBN extend well beyond what is usually expected of administrative assistants.

Aside from supporting the faculty in their teaching and research efforts, Cramer is involved in fundraising and advertising for major events such as Brain Awareness Week and the Brenda Milner Lecture Series; attends all Neuroscience seminars to gain an understanding of the centre's work; and applies for grants for student, faculty and travel awards.

Cramer also contributes greatly to the graduate program by coordinating external examiners and scheduling master's and PhD defenses.

To many, she is the face and voice of the CCBN as she arranges tours by schools, interest groups and visiting dignitaries, while also coordinating communication with various media representatives. She accomplishes all this and more while still only in a part-time capacity.

One of her most important roles is introducing new students to the Department of Neuroscience. Cramer endeavours to make new students feel at home, devoting significant time and effort to ensure these students are settled in Lethbridge.

With her friendly manner and conscientious approach, Cramer is also a great asset in the department's academic recruitment efforts.

Charlene Janes
(APO/Exempt support staff)

Currently celebrating 10 years of service at the U of L, Charlene Janes fulfills a complex role with gusto and dedication.

Currently the International Liaison Officer, Janes has worked with the International Centre for Students since its inception. Over the years she has implemented and revised procedures to help prospective and newly admitted students navigate the application and acceptance process from a distance.

In response to an ever-changing environment, she constantly refines processes and improves how she delivers programs. Janes provides outstanding leadership and liaises with the U of L community on behalf of international students, working with departments and administrative units to resolve issues and problems.

When assisting international students, Janes has a unique ability to look at the U of L from their perspective, ignoring boundaries between faculties and units. She helps non-traditional students every day, striving to build a community for international students to help them succeed on our campus, backed by an essential network of support. When students are in trouble, sick, or short of funding, it is Janes who helps them.

She doesn't do this alone, having built a network of students and colleagues across the institution that assist in providing services for international students. In that, Janes is a leader in forming collaborative relationships across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Beyond her work role, she is a regular volunteer at convocation, the APO representative for the Senate, a volunteer on the Supporting Our Students committee and a member of the APO Executive.

Long service awards, Wednesday

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:52:19 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballrooms. A total of 83 employees who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service, and 18 retiring employees will be honoured at the event.

All employees are invited to the ceremony and reception to honour the award recipients listed below. The reception will include light refreshments.

Retirees

Lynn Arnold, Judith Droessler, Eileen Ferguson, Peter Haney, Marilyn Hawryluk, Helen Henderson, Beatriz Housley, Luke Kwong, Ian McKenna, Linda Nicol, Ron Perverseff, Terry Prociuk, Lorraine Schimpf, Hiroshi Shimazaki, Helen Smith, Sara Stanley, Johnel Tailfeathers, Marie Yolland

Long Service Recipients

40 Years

Michael Kubara and Frank VandenHeuvel

35 Years

Lynne Brown, Gary Cunningham, Rose Helmer and Barbara Wolstoncroft

30 Years

Doris Kostiuk and Wendy Vogel

25 Years

Doran Anderson, Deb Bullock, Hank DeRidder, John Federkeil, Carol Gaetz, Ken Nicol, Stewart Rood, Linda Sebastian, Penny Secretan, Jerzy Szpakowski and Guy Vervoort

20 Years

John Bain, Allan Besplug, Craig Bullock, Cynthia Chambers, Helena Danyk, Lisa Doolittle, Marty Gadd, Andrew Hakin, David Kaminski, Luke Kwong, Judy Lavorato, Ian MacLachlan, Edward Malinsky, Duane Rockerbie, Gloria Samuels, Michael Stingl, Carrie Takeyasu, Pat Tanaka, Barb Thomsen, Gitte Villiger, Kathleen Willms, Shelly Wismath and Sajjad Zahir

15 Years

Jim Booth, Teresa Heyburn, Joan Kendall, Rob Kern, Richard Lutwick, Ron Schreiber, Terri Thomas, Nicholas Wade and Judith Whitehead

10 Years

Andrea Amelinckx, John Bronk, Adam Carter, Yllias Chali, Margaret Cook, Robert Cooney, Dennis Fitzpatrick, Fred Greene, Shauna Haag, Geoffrey Hale, Susan Hill, Shahadat Hossain, Charlene Janes, Harold Jansen, Randy Joseph, Edward Jurkowski, Catherine Kingfisher, Laurie Martin, Cathy Newman, Margot O'Donnell, Steve Patitsas, Michele Roberts, Chris Robinson, Debi Sandul, Stephane Simard, A. William Smith, Mike Spiteri, Stuart Thomas, Dawn-Ann Thys, Edwin Wasiak, Cheryl Wheeler and Jim Wills

UNews - Charlene Janes

Grasping an opportunity

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Finding success a long way from home

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Experiencing as much as possible

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Hansen benefits from personal touch

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Dinner helps bridge gap

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International Café breaks down barriers

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Saint Lucia to Lethbridge proving to be a well-worn path

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Long service awards and honoured retirees

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Cramer, Janes recognized as President's Award recipients

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Long service awards, Wednesday

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