As a native of Arizona, Erin Crane moved to Canada fully aware that winters north of the 49th parallel can be cold and long. Much to her delight, Crane says she found tremendous warmth in her new southern Alberta environment – and that her position at the University of Lethbridge is a big part of it.
As the manager of conference and event services, she’s the person you want to speak to if you’re planning to host any kind of gathering on campus. It’s work she says infuses her with energy every day.
“I have a fantastic job on campus,” says Crane, her vivacious personality bubbling up through her voice. “I work with lots of different kinds of people and introduce them to the fantastic facilities and atmosphere we have at the University of Lethbridge. I love my job because I never know what the day will hold when I get to work.”
Each summer, Crane has the opportunity to hire six to eight U of L students to run and manage the University’s hotel program – a job that up until two years ago was handled by full-time staff. Crane says that working side-by-side with students every day is an eye opening experience – one that got her thinking immediately about contributing to the U of L Supporting Our Students (SOS) fund.
“I’ve seen and heard it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly,” says Crane of university life, as seen through students’ eyes. “Students are full of energy and potential. We just have to provide the platform for them to succeed.”
Crane put herself through school by working at what she calls a “fantastic job on campus” at the University of Arizona. She received a number of scholarships as well, and the additional finances were greatly appreciated – for more than one reason.
“Of course financially it was a big help, but it also felt great just to be recognized,” says Crane. “It was hugely motivating for me. My scholarships told me that I was doing something right, that I was on the right path and should keep going. When people are encouraged to follow through with their education it benefits our whole society.”
Crane sees SOS as a boon for the entire University – a way for everyone who works on campus to show their pride in the U of L, and to foster a culture of positivity.
“I’m huge into school spirit,” says Crane. “Any time we can show pride in our school, no matter how it happens, that’s a good thing. Supporting students who can’t quite make ends meet and keep them going? Encouraging them to keep at it and feel good about what they’re doing here? That’s a great expression of school spirit.”
Please join Erin and support our students today.