Exceptional student leaders represent Lakehead at national conference
April 1, 2013 - Orillia, ON
Two students from Lakehead University’s Orillia campus visited Kelowna, B.C. last month to represent the University at the Canadian Conference on Student Leadership, an annual event planned by students, for students. The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus hosted this year’s conference.
Lakehead Orillia students Anna Lisa Martin from Nobleton, Ontario, and Sami Pritchard of Cambridge, attended the conference along with Lakehead staff member Brenda Melick, who is responsible for student leadership programs on campus. The students were chosen to attend because of their leadership potential and their current leadership activity on campus. Martin and Pritchard are members of the University’s student ambassador team and are also involved in athletics, residence life and student union activities.
The annual conference is an opportunity for student leaders to come together to share ideas, be inspired, and to leave determined to make a difference on their own campus and in their communities.
During the three-day event, the students attended workshops, heard keynote speakers and met with top student leaders from all across the country. Both Martin and Pritchard were impressed by the extraordinary energy and positive environment they experienced at the conference.
“Having the opportunity to collaborate with so many different leaders from not only across Canada, but from around the world was such a unique and valuable opportunity,” said Pritchard. “The passionate leaders I met each day both taught me and inspired me to be a better, more successful leader. It was humbling just to be in the room with such inspirational people.
For Martin, one such person was author/speaker Blake “Fly” Fleischacker, who spoke about the unique nature of university life and the lifestyle that goes with it. “He inspired me to act on my ideas and make the most of my life as a student.” Martin said another highlight was a workshop discussion focused on the many issues faced by student leaders. “I found it very surprising to hear the broad range of issues experienced at other universities and how similar they all are, and how they can be effectively resolved through our roles on campus.” Martin also had a chance to meet keynote speaker Trevor Linden, retired NHL league leader and player. “As a hockey fan, I was definitely starstruck when meeting him following his speech!”
“We want to bring all that we have learned to our campus,” said Pritchard. “I really hope that our positive energies and passions to make a difference will become contagious. My personal goal is to positively affect as many students as I can, and to one day be able to inspire others as much as I have been inspired by those I met at the conference.”
Martin added that the experience has provided her with the confidence to move forward as a leader. “Sami and I look forward to being Orientation Leaders next year and I hope that we can spread the optimism and inspiration we gained to other students, especially those new to the campus.”
“Both Anna Lisa and Sami were very fortunate to be provided with the opportunity to attend the conference and represent Lakehead University,” said Melick. “The investment in these exceptional student leaders will multiply itself many times over for Lakehead and the future communities in which these students are involved.”
Martin and Pritchard continue to network with and learn from their fellow delegates from across the country as they share ideas for planning end-of-year recognition and celebration events at the Lakehead Orillia campus.
Lakehead Orillia students (l to r): Sami Pritchard and Anna Lisa Martin, shown here with Lakehead staff member Brenda Melick, say they are looking forward to putting their conference-boosted enthusiasm, confidence and energy into making a difference as leaders on campus.