Fanshawe grad spearheads triple award sweep

This year, Fanshawe College was awarded with triple honours from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, a first-time occurrence for the school and further recognition toward its high standing reputation among the country's colleges.

Fanshawe College received silver in Internationalization Excellence, a recognition for the high number of successful international students and the quality of the school's exchange program. Two other awards were given to Lisa Miller, a Fanshawe scheduling officer who received a gold Staff Award of Excellence, and Music Industry Arts graduate Kendra Sauder, who received silver in the Student Leadership Excellence category. The awards were presented in early June in Penticton, British Columbia, adding to Fanshawe's history of national recognition.

“I want to congratulate Lisa and Kendra for their success, along with all of those involved who contributed to our internationalization accomplishments,” said recently retired Fanshawe College President Dr. Howard Rundle. “We are always excited and proud when our students and employees are recognized for their excellence.”

Sauder, who graduated from the Music Industry Arts program this past year, earned her award based on the years of service she has given to the Fanshawe Student Union, serving terms as Vice- President External, Finance, and Entertainment, and the improvements she's helped bring to the school and its relationship with its students. She was instrumental in the implementation of the Head Start program, which offers tours to incoming students, and the weekly New Music Night at The Out Back Shack, which helps bring attention to local and Canadian bands. Sauder made her mark off-campus as well, being involved in both the College Student Alliance and the London Youth Advisory Council, as well as helping to raise over $10,000 through charitable events such as Movember and the Terry Fox Run.

“It was a huge honour to be recognized on a national level for what I've been doing over the years,” said Sauder. “I've only ever really tried to give back to the school and make it a better place, and it was nice to see that it was appreciated.” A recognizable figure in the school halls, at events, and generally getting involved with the student body, few people around the school would doubt that she is fully deserving of being recognized for her leadership abilities.

Sauder gave recognition to the support system she had in place at Fanshawe. “In all I've done at the school, I have always had the support and help of a great team of volunteers, as well as the support of friends and professors who realize that so much of my time needs to be devoted to this work.” She is proud to be moving forward, but admitted that she is already feeling a little nostalgic for the school already. “It's hard to say goodbye to somewhere that you have been a part of for six years, especially when you've put so much into it.”