UNews - Erin Crane

Crane shines with school spirit

trevor.kenney — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 23:14:22 +0000

As a native of Arizona, Erin Crane moved to Canada fully aware that winters north of the 49th parallel can be cold and long. Much to her delight, Crane says she found tremendous warmth in her new southern Alberta environment – and that her position at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is a big part of it.

Erin Crane sees the Supporting Our Students program as a boon for the entire community.

As the manager of conference and event services, she’s the person you want to speak to if you’re planning to host any kind of gathering on campus. It’s work she says infuses her with energy every day.

“I have a fantastic job on campus,” says Crane, her vivacious personality bubbling up through her voice. “I work with lots of different kinds of people and introduce them to the fantastic facilities and atmosphere we have at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. I love my job because I never know what the day will hold when I get to work.”

Each summer, Crane has the opportunity to hire six to eight U of L students to run and manage the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s hotel program – a job that up until two years ago was handled by full-time staff. Crane says that working side-by-side with students every day is an eye opening experience – one that got her thinking immediately about contributing to the U of L Supporting Our Students (SOS) fund.

“I’ve seen and heard it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly,” says Crane of university life, as seen through students’ eyes. “Students are full of energy and potential. We just have to provide the platform for them to succeed.”

Crane put herself through school by working at what she calls a “fantastic job on campus” at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Arizona. She received a number of scholarships as well, and the additional finances were greatly appreciated – for more than one reason.

“Of course financially it was a big help, but it also felt great just to be recognized,” says Crane. “It was hugely motivating for me. My scholarships told me that I was doing something right, that I was on the right path and should keep going. When people are encouraged to follow through with their education it benefits our whole society.”

Crane sees SOS as a boon for the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ – a way for everyone who works on campus to show their pride in the U of L, and to foster a culture of positivity.

“I’m huge into school spirit,” says Crane. “Any time we can show pride in our school, no matter how it happens, that’s a good thing. Supporting students who can’t quite make ends meet and keep them going? Encouraging them to keep at it and feel good about what they’re doing here? That’s a great expression of school spirit.”

Please join Erin and support our students today.

President's Award for Service Excellence 2014

trevor.kenney — Fri, 09 May 2014 21:26:59 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President's Office is pleased to announce the 2014 recipients of the President's Award for Service Excellence.

AUPE Recipient - Margaret Cook

Margaret Cook, administrative assistant in the Departments of Geography and History, personifies service excellence and models professional and ethical behaviour for all.

Margaret Cook's professional outlook is a key factor in her success.

Cook has been administrative support for five different department chairs. She has adjusted to the different styles of the chairs, and has helped them immensely by taking the initiative to anticipate issues. She has streamlined several recurring administrative procedures in the department, making them simpler, more efficient, and more transparent.

In recent years, the department has been challenged by its move into two separate buildings, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building. Cook has played an essential role in keeping the department a coherent unit. She has established infrastructure that allows the department to function as a whole, has mentored the assistants in the water building, and at times has even managed the building remotely. Her efforts have allowed the Departments of Geography and History to function coherently.

Her professional outlook is a key part of her success. Even in highly-charged situations, Cook exerts a strong calming influence. She always responds appropriately in situations that involve matters of confidentiality and institutional sensitivity. Experienced in tact and diplomacy, she takes a relaxed, evidence-based approach to interacting with faculty. The members of the department trust her implicitly. Cook also provides valuable help to new faculty adjusting to the U of L. She provides mentorship on crafting syllabi, the scheduling of examinations, and many other teaching-related matters. Beyond the department, she is also actively involved in the AUPE, serving on several committees, the negotiating team, and as treasurer.

Margaret Cook embodies the qualities of service, commitment, and participation, and in recognition she is the recipient of the 2014 President’s Award for Service Excellence for AUPE staff.

APO Recipient - Steve Craig

Over the years, Steve Craig has provided outstanding service to the Faculty of Management, other U of L units, and to Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton communities.

Steve Craig has a genuine interest in using U of L talent to make Lethbridge a better place to do business has earned him the respect of community leaders.

Craig has a diverse slate of responsibilities. These include running the highly successful Management Co-Op Program, running fundraising events and sponsored events, and coordinating the Lethbridge and Calgary Management Advisory Boards. In all his responsibilities he constantly strives for ways to improve the work he does, embodying the phrase “the relentless pursuit of quality.”

Craig has had a major impact on students. He has become the de facto student advisor for the Management Students Society and the JDC West Case Competition Group. His total commitment to the vision of these student groups was recently recognized by JDC West when they honoured him as their Advisor of the Year. In his interactions with students he is professional, approachable, and caring, an outstanding role model for the students.

He is an excellent ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. His genuine interest in using U of L talent to make Lethbridge a better place to do business has earned him the respect of community leaders. He runs the annual Faculty of Management Scholarship Dinner, which helps promote and build the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s relationship with the external community. Working with the Department of Advancement, Craig secure support from Alberta Treasury Branch for the ATB Financial Small Business Speaker Series, which takes place in smaller southern Alberta communities.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is proud to recognize Steve Craig for his dedicated service to the U of L and beyond with the 2014 President’s Award for Service Excellence for an APO/Exempt Support Staff.

Team Recipient - Erin Crane & Melissa Wiebe

As Manager and Event Coordinator, respectively, for Conference and Event Services, Erin Crane and Melissa Wiebe are responsible for the U of L’s guest services, conference management and summer housing. Highly experienced and professional, Crane and Wiebe foresee critical issues and act preemptively to address them. They consistently show superlative skills for managing complex logistics, often under pressure due to short notice and tight timelines, as two recent examples show.

Erin Crane, left, and Melissa Wiebe consistently show superlative skills for managing complex logistics.

One of the team’s greatest recent successes was coordinating the May 2013 Canada Wide Science Fair at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Host institutions are normally given three-year notice to prepare for the event, but Erin and Melissa had 20 months. In making the fair a reality, the team coordinated and managed events for 740 participants, 300 judges, more than 150 volunteers, and over 2,500 visitors to campus, plus media coverage. This event was successfully realized and attracted national recognition for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Management of a different kind was needed during the southern Alberta flood of 2013. In June of that year, when high flood waters displaced people from High River, Erin and Melissa coordinated the accommodation and services for 400 residents who came to stay on the U of L campus. The team coordinated units across campus and about 50 U of L volunteers and acted as the main point of contact for coordinating with external organizations. The success of this is a testament to their expertise, initiative and comprehensive oversight.

In recognition of their high quality service, Erin Crane and Melissa Wiebe of Conference and Event Services are the team recipients of the President’s Award for Service Excellence.

Crane honoured as Alberta Flood Hero

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:26:09 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Manager of Conference and Event Services, Erin Crane, is being honoured as an Alberta Flood Hero for the leadership role she played when the U of L provided temporary housing for those displaced by the June 2013 floods in central Alberta.

Erin Crane was instrumental in coordinating the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's response team as the U of L played host to hundreds of flood victims following the 2014 floods in central Alberta.

The Alberta government approached the U of L shortly after flooding occurred in High River, Calgary and area to see if the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s residences could be used to house those displaced by the flood. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ quickly formed a response team that consisted of individuals from across campus.

In addition to housing, evacuees were made more comfortable by being provided food, transportation, health and wellness services and activities for children. The U of L also offered space for critical services provided by Alberta Health Services, the Red Cross, the City of Lethbridge and others.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Vice-President Nancy Walker says U of L staff and faculty were already very proud of the role they played in assisting flood victims and that Erin’s award is an honour the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community can be proud of.

“Erin is very deserving of this honour for the leadership role she played in ensuring that those displaced by the flooding not only had a place to stay, but found some comfort during a very stressful time in their lives,” says Walker. “The efforts made by many U of L employees, and those from Lethbridge organizations and agencies, made a real difference for hundreds of people. This nomination reflects the amazing job Erin did, but also the efforts of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and City.”

The U of L was honoured for its efforts in providing temporary housing for evacuees at the City of Lethbridge’s “Bringing Lethbridge Home” awards luncheon in November 2013.

The Alberta Heroes of the Flood program was created to recognize those who went above and beyond to help family, friends, neighbours and strangers get back on their feet. Albertans nominated more than 1,300 individuals, groups, companies and volunteers for their incredible actions.

A complete list of Alberta Flood Heroes can be found at http://alberta.ca/heroes-of-the-flood.cfm.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ encourages donations be made to Red Cross/Salvation Army

trevor.kenney — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 16:14:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is encouraging those interested in helping evacuees who are temporarily housed in campus residences to make cash donations to organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

In recent days, a few well-meaning residents have dropped off physical donations on campus.

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is not set up to receive and process these items, unsolicited donations become an additional challenge for staff members who are working daily to make our High River guests comfortable at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

"The willingness to give demonstrated by Lethbridge and area residents is truly extraordinary," says Erin Crane, manager of Conference Services and Events. "Unfortunately, unsolicited donations at our campus, especially if received in bulk, can be an unnecessary distraction for our staff and volunteers. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is receiving the additional support it requires through organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army."

Monetary donations can be made to the Red Cross through their website at http://www.redcross.ca and to the Salvation Army at http://www.salvationarmy.ca

UNews - Erin Crane

Crane shines with school spirit

Related Topics

President's Award for Service Excellence 2014

AUPE Recipient - Margaret Cook

APO Recipient - Steve Craig

Team Recipient - Erin Crane & Melissa Wiebe

Related Topics

Crane honoured as Alberta Flood Hero

Related Topics

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ encourages donations be made to Red Cross/Salvation Army

Related Topics

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ encourages donations be made to Red Cross/Salvation Army