Parting thoughts from Lola Ronald

On July 5, Lola Ronald is retiring from Dawson after an incredible 46 years of service in the Continuing Education and Community Services sector. The Communications Office did a Q & A with her.

What did you like the best about Dawson?

Diversity and inclusion have become buzz words, but I have always felt that Dawson was diverse and inclusive and strong because of it.  It is perhaps what I’ve liked best about Dawson – that and the energy generated by the students.

I have also appreciated how everyone at Dawson pulls together for the students. It is a large college and communication is a challenge but somehow there is a strong sense of community and mission.

What are you most proud of when reflecting back on your career?

While Cont. Ed. is seen by many as “second class,” I have always put its students and faculty first. I feel I’ve done my best over the years to support Continuing Education students and to be available to the Cont. Ed. faculty.

I am also proud that I began Cont. Ed.’s non-credit language program. We offered only English and French conversation courses at that time, but it was a start.

What sort of changes did you witness over your time at Dawson?

A lot of the changes that affected me were due to changes in technology. Hard to believe for example that we used to register students by writing their names on cardboard lists – in person of course.  I remember being introduced to Clara and I wonder now how we managed without “her.”  We also used to mail the Cont. Ed. timetable to thousands of students each semester.

Email has of course revolutionized the way we communicate with each other.

A big change was the move to the Motherhouse in the mid-1980s. No more need for the “Magic Bus” to take students from one campus to another.

What are your hopes for the Dawson community going forward?

I hope that Dawson continues to meet the challenges that are thrown at it. I hope that the atmosphere of collaboration will thrive despite divisions and tensions outside the College.

Anything else you would like to share or say?

Working in the Continuing Education department has put me in touch with great people in the many different departments and services. It has been a privilege to be part of Dawson and part of the various Continuing Education teams over the years. I know I am going to miss it.