2006 Recipient - Western Heads East

                                    Western Heads East nomination included seven team
                                      members who were supported by other staff in this
                                      tremendous initiative. Recipients of the excellence award
                                      are noted in bold letters. 

                                      Front (l-r): Susan Grindrod (Associate Vice-President,
                                      Housing & Ancillary Services), Rachel Harder, Chris Costello,
                                      Becca Carroll and Monica Fleck (Marketing &
                                      Communications Manager, Housing & Ancillary Services)

                                      Back (l-r): Peggy Wakabayashi (Director of Residences),
                                      Teresa Scherle, Bob Gough, Denise Farr and
                                      David Shepherd.

Western Heads East (WHE) was initiated through the leadership of Western staff members in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The WHE task force saw an opportunity to bring students, staff and faculty together in a community outreach initiative with the potential to make a difference on an international scale.

“The Western Heads East project is a wonderful example of a grassroots staff initiative that has provided a catalyst for a campus wide effort to make a difference to the lives of people in the developing world,” says a supporting letter. “It was the staff members in the Housing Department, led by Bob Gough who were convinced of the idea that students at Western could make a difference in the fight against the ravaging HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

The letter notes it is one thing to be inspired to do something, it is another to act and doggedly achieve results.

“They showed immense leadership becoming fundraisers, advocates, grant application writers, administrators, and international liaisons to name but a few of the roles WHE members took on.”

WHE initiators worked with Microbiology & Immunology professor Gregor Reid to help create a practical, food-based project which could enhance the health of people in communities where malnutrition thrives and people have little or not access to HIV prevention and treatment strategies.

Today, the project is up and running and the task force has sent four student interns to Mwanza, Tanzania.

The legacy is that anyone can make a difference. The nomination letter ends by saying, “Their initiative has demonstrated true leadership and promoted personal growth for all who have taken advantage of the opportunity to get involved.”

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Contact Information

.: Scott May
Campus Communications Consultant
(519) 661-2111 x85466 or smay5@uwo.ca