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ALUMNI DIRECTOR LEAVES LASTING LEGACY MENTORS ADMIRED
FOR COMMITMENT
TO STUDENTS
T
he recipients of the 2013 Excellence
in Mentoring Award, honoured at
the 2013 Annual General Meeting in
November, have been described as caring and
encouraging by their nominators.The award
is presented annually to faculty members who
have demonstrated excellence by offering
personal, academic and/or professional
guidance to students during their time of
study and beyond.
DR. ALANMETCALFE,
Faculty of Human Kinetics
Dr. Metcalfe, a
sport historian,
began teaching at
the University of
Windsor in 1969
in the Department
of Kinesiology. A
well-respected academic, it was nonetheless
his caring personality that left the biggest
impact on his students. Former students
note how touched they were by the amount
of time Dr. Metcalfe spent with them
throughout their studies.
PROFESSOR BRIANRINTOUL,
School of Dramatic Art
Supporting and
guiding students to
be their best on stage
and off is something
students of Professor
Brian Rintoul
remember long after
they have left his drama classes.
Professor Rintoul joined the School of
Dramatic Art in 1999 and has mentored
numerous graduates, many of whom now
work as professional actors in Canada and
around the world.
Rintoul successfully brought his many
years of experience in the theatre to the
classroom where students thrived on his
ability to push for the best while displaying
compassion and care.
“I
t’s been said
that to achieve
any level of success, it
takes the right people,
doing the right things
at the right times.
I’ve been fortunate
to be surrounded by
so many of the right
people,” says Susan Lester.
For 36 years though, it was Lester, herself,
who inspired that sentiment in the countless
alumni and staff with whom she worked.
She retired in January after 17 years
as director of alumni affairs and secretary
to the Alumni Association Board of
Directors, and 19 more in supporting roles
that included fundraising for the St. Denis
Centre and CAW Student Centre.
A tribute was held in her honour in
December during which a dollar-for-dollar
match by the Alumni Association was
announced to create the Marian McLean
Campus Spirit Award. The scholarship is
named in memory of Lester’s mother.
She joined the University in 1978 as
part of the team that raised $5 million for
the new St. Denis Centre. Subsequently, she
served as communications co-ordinator for
the New Heights Advancement Campaign,
then led the University’s Annual Giving
Campaign from 1985-95. In 1996 she was
named alumni affairs director.
Lester liaised between the Alumni
Association board of directors and the
University, and developed new initiatives,
scholarship funds and awards to engage
alumni in the life of the University.
During her tenure, Lester forged
agreements with such major affinity partners
as TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, MBNA
and Manulife to both provide innovative
benefits to UWindsor alumni and students,
as well as create a sustainable alumni budget.
As a result, the Alumni Association was
able to expand the number of student and
alumni awards, and donate $100,000 for
the renovation of the Leon Z. McPherson
Alumni Reception Centre in Alumni
Hall, $500,000 for Alumni Field in the
University’s Stadium, and $150,000 to the
University’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
She is a recipient of the “W” Award
from University of Windsor Students’
Alliance; the Friend of Students’ Award
from the Organization of Part-time
Students; and both the “A” Award and
Richard Peddie Leadership Award from the
Department of Athletics.
“Working with alumni volunteers in
support of our students has been the most
rewarding experience of my time here,”
says Lester. “Whether they are involved
in student government, student clubs or
Lancer sports, it’s been a matter of great
pride for us to celebrate their success
and provide encouragement through our
programs and events.”
HANDING OFF THE BATON
T
aking the reins from Lester is Patti
Lauzon BA ’07, who joined the
University in June 2013. Previously, Lauzon
served as director of communications and
community engagement for the Canadian
Mental Health Association in both
Windsor Essex and Lambton Kent.
Prior to that position, she was
the manager of public relations and
development at Windsor’s Teen
Health Centre.
As director of alumni affairs and donor
communications, Lauzon will continue to
work closely with the Alumni Association
board of directors and focus on ways
that the University shares information
with alumni, supporters and community
stakeholders.
“I am really looking forward to working
with our alumni, board of directors, current
students, faculty and staff,” says Lauzon.
“We have such a great team in the Alumni
Affairs and Donor Communications office
and we have some excellent events and
initiatives planned for the coming year.”
