The University of Winnipeg will present the 2014 Stars of Spence Street Prize to Lois Martin at this year’s Spring Convocation.
Created last year, the Stars of Spence Street Prize recognizes UWinnipeg employees with a long history of dedicated service, a passion for student learning, and a demonstrated commitment to supporting students in achieving their educational goals. The late Judy Dyck, former UWinnipeg Director of the Awards and Financial Aid Office, was the inaugural recipient.
Martin has worked at UWinnipeg for almost 27 years, most recently as Coordinator of Domestic Admissions. Known for a willingness to make time to answer questions from potential students, Martin’s genuine caring becomes evident to all who meet with her in the Admissions Office.
She has been praised by University Registrar Colin Russell for her ability to balance “the University’s guiding principles of access and excellence” by upholding academic standards while recognizing when an applicant may need support in order to “present evidence of their potential”.
Her time in UWinnipeg’s Admissions Office has seen her doing everything from patiently providing help and compassion to students overwhelmed by applying with foreign credentials, to assisting with the development of departmental admissions processes for new programs. She has generously given of her time to numerous committees, including those for Admission Appeals, Calendar Edit, and Student Retention; the Joint Institutional Committee on Criminal Record Checks; and the Manitoba Advising Professionals Steering Committee. She was also a project team member for the development and implementation of UWinnipeg’s Colleague Student Information System. All the while, Martin’s character and devotion has established strong bonds and mutually respectful relationships with her colleagues, who are entertained by her dry wit.
The University of Winnipeg recognizes Lois Martin as one of its unsung heroes, a true Star of Spence Street.
