Lynn Reader, Program Assistant, Professional Programs

We congratulate Lynn Reader, of Professional Programs, who has been awarded the SFU Staff Personal Achievement Award, 2006 for "Overcoming adversity or prevailing over difficult circumstances by demonstrating courage, resilience and determination".

"Throughout almost a decade of life-threatening physical and emotional health challenges," reads the nomination, "Lynn Reader has shown enormous courage, patience and fortitude in steadfastly remaining at the heart of the support staff operation of Professional Programs. She has consistently discharged her responsibilities and more, performing above and beyond the call of duty; hard-working to a fault; diligent; loyal to colleagues and faithful to the work; and, in the words of those whom she serves, "totally dependable", "a rock of strength", "a leader by example".

"Lynn's example - formally recognized in 1998, when she was the first recipient of the Jack Paterson Award, given to an education staff or faculty member 'who has made an outstanding contribution of a voluntary nature to the general well-being of the university' - has served as an inspiration to successive generations of the almost 100 personnel (a sizable proportion of who, by programmatic design, turn over every year), in Professional Programs to service the needs of some 600 new students a year."