U of L to honour art history professor
An art history professor who responded to a humanitarian crisis has been named this year’s winner of the Volunteer Award at the University of Lethbridge.
Anne Dymond, a faculty member in the fine arts faculty, found she couldn’t simply watch as news of the Syrian refugee crisis filled the airwaves. So she became a central figure in Lethbridge citizens’ efforts to bring people displaced by violence to our city.
“Anne’s involvement in every aspect of the relocation of Syrian refugees here to southern Alberta represents all that is good in our society,” says U of L Chancellor Charles Weaselhead. “She looked at what was a very large problem and found a way for our community to make a very meaningful difference in the lives of these newcomers to Canada.”
Dymond created a committee at the university to sponsor Syrian people displaced by violence and bring them to Lethbridge. Her involvement included raising awareness around campus, initiating fundraising activities and working with partner groups in the city who could facilitate the family’s arrival. The first family of four arrived in February 2016.
Dymond and the refugee action committee realized how many government-sponsored refugees could also use additional support, university officials say, and she knew the community was ready and willing to help.
Over time, the committee facilitated the donations of literally tons of household goods that were distributed across the newcomer community.
U of L students recognized her belief that even when the problem is too big to solve, individuals can change lives by action. Following her lead, they worked with Dymond to found a World University Service of Canada chapter at the university to sponsor a student refugee. It successfully campaigned to get U of L students to agree to pay $2 each term to allow the group to sponsor a qualified refugee to escape violence — and study at the U of L.
Dymond will be recognized throughout the university’s Convocation Week activities, with her award celebrated at the Chancellor’s Dinner on May 30 at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel.
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