Lethbridge College helps to prepare its students to enter the workforce, but what happens next matters most, and many alumni have gone on to shine in their chosen fields after graduation.
The college wants to recognize those alumni who have truly made a difference as leaders, innovators, creators and community-builders. Nominations are now open for the 2019 Honouring Excellence alumni awards.
“Lethbridge College has been the starting point for so many incredible stories,” says David Cocks, chair of the college’s Alumni Advisory Council. “We want to recognize those who have used what they learned at the college to go on to do great things. With nearly 40,000 alumni across the world, we need help identifying all of those who have made a difference. We’re asking for nominations from those who know alumni who have stood out in their work and their communities, so that we can properly recognize their accomplishments.”
This year, the nomination process has been streamlined. Nominators need to just fill out a form available on the Lethbridge College website, write a letter of support and attach one other letter of support and the nominees resume or CV. Accomplished alumni are also able to nominate themselves. Those chosen for an award will be recognized at the 2019 Honouring Excellence event during the week of Convocation.
The four awards include:
- Distinguished Alumni - this prestigious award recognizes college graduates who have marked themselves in their chosen careers, made a significant contribution to their communities, and demonstrated service to the college and its students.
- Career Virtuoso - presented to alumni who have made significant contributions to their professional fields through their diligence, talent and dedication.
- Community Leader - presented to alumni who have made contributions to their communities through their work or personal interests.
- Rising Star - presented to alumni who, within 10 years of graduation from Lethbridge College, have demonstrated many forms of success in their professions.
The Distinguished Alumni award was established in 1992 to commemorate the college’s 35th anniversary, while the other three alumni awards were created in 2007 to commemorate the college’s 50th anniversary.
“It’s important that the connection to Lethbridge College doesn’t end when a student leaves campus,” says Sydney Wakaruk, Lethbridge College Alumni Relations coordinator. “We are building a community that supports each other, recognizes what our alumni can offer and builds on those successes for future generations.”
Since 1992, more than 85 graduates have received alumni awards from Lethbridge College. The 2018 recipients were Distinguished Alumnus Kathy Veres Sassa (Nursing 1991), Career Virtuoso Barbara Duckworth Thompson (Journalism 1974), Community Leader Chelsey De Groot (Child and Youth Care 2010; General Studies 2012; Bachelor of Applied Arts – Justice Studies 2015) and Rising Star Cornelius Mans (Business Administration – Management 2013). You can read more about them on the Lethbridge College website’s Alumni Relations page.
Further information on award categories and nomination forms are available at lethbridgecollege.ca/alumni. The nomination deadline is Jan. 15, 2019. The awards will be presented at a recognition event on April 25, 2019, at the Garden Court Dining Room.
LISTEN: Sydney Wakaruk, Lethbridge College Alumni Relations coordinator, discusses how to nominate a deserving individual for a 2019 Honouring Excellence alumni award: