Fanshawe celebrates military-connected college

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: PROVIDED BY FANSHAWE COLLEGE
Each military-connected graduate will receive a unique coin to recognize their hard work and service.

Fanshawe College has been helping support its military-connected students since it first signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) last spring. As Remembrance Day approached, the College announced on Nov. 9 that it would be celebrating some of its initiatives for military students, as well as a partnership with a local musician to honour veterans on Nov.11.

Fanshawe College prides itself on being a military-connected college. Darlene O’Neill, director of employment and student entrepreneurial services, said this connectedness extends to any and all students involved with the military.

“Serving members, veterans, department of national defence employees, reservists and family members of military members” are all covered under Fanshawe’s military supports.

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“A military-connected campus supports students in a holistic manner by providing the right academic and social supports to make sure that they’re successful in their academic journey,” said O’Neill.

These support services included the Fanshawe Funder, a campaign to provide financial support to military- connected students through bursaries, and academic credits for prior military service. One key support that the college has designated is a military-connected student ambassador.

“I think the student ambassador can actually connect with the military- connected students much easier than administrators across the college,” said O’Neill. “[She] has that actual, tangible experience.”

Fanshawe’s student ambassador is Maxine Strybos, who served in both Reserve and Regular Force as an Armoured Reconnaissance Crewman, earning the rank of Corporal. Now, she’s a student in Fanshawe’s Business Logistics and Supply Chain Management program.

“She knows what it feels like to be a military-connected student,” said O’Neill.

O’Neill said having the student ambassador will help military students who are adjusting to civilian life as a student, which she said can be a very individualistic experience compared to serving in the military.

“Sometimes military-connected people feel isolated in the post-secondary arena, and I think Maxine’s role is going to be one of empathy.” she said.

Although not every student at Fanshawe may be connected with the military, O’Neill said that being a military-connected campus demonstrates to all students that Fanshawe is committed to inclusivity and support for everyone.

On Nov. 9, Fanshawe also announced its partnership with musician Terry Kelly. Kelly performed his song, “A Pittance of Time” at the celebration of Fanshawe’s military- connected college. That day, Kelly launched an operation with the same name as his song, to honour veterans on Remembrance Day by taking a pittance of time on Nov. 11 to show gratitude for Canada’s fallen soldiers.

O’Neill said the operation acted as a way to honour Remembrance Day, even without the in-person service that Fanshawe usually holds every year.

“Even if you can stand on your doorstep for 30 seconds, one minute or take the entire two minutes of silence to recognize the sacrifices of our military people and our veterans, it’s important,” she said.

She added that the partnership shows Fanshawe’s commitment to being a military-connected college, by not only walking the walk, but also talking the talk.

Military-connected students who graduate from Fanshawe College will also receive a unique commemorative coin in recognition of their success.