What Our Students Say

With his Communication Studies diploma in his pocket, David Lazenby juggles studying, teaching, and working for an organization that is dear to his heart.

David Lazenby has received the F.H.B. (Barrie) Charlesworth Award for his long-term commitment to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC).  This award is granted to a mature student who is actively involved in good citizenship. David’s reasons for becoming involved as a volunteer with this organization were close to home. “I was initially motivated by a desire to get involved in helping people with leukemia and lymphoma, particularly as a result of having a lymphoma survivor as a family member.”

David now works during the school year as an employee of the LLSC, helping with its “Pennies for Patients” campaign and its “Light the Night” event. Both events serve to raise funds and awareness of lymphoma and leukemia, as well as to involve both survivors and members of the community at large in issues surrounding these conditions.

David first came to Capilano University (then College) to take the Advanced Certificate in Professional Communication. He had been teaching at another local college, and this experience prompted his desire to take up his education again in order to develop his teaching practice. He then transferred into the Communication Studies Diploma program, which fit in with his larger plan of pursuing an undergraduate degree in Communication.

Asked about his experience in the Communication Studies program, David says, “I found the Communication Studies program to be interesting because of its connection to the media – it’s very contemporary because of its focus on such an important aspect of modern societies. I liked the way that the programme encompasses a number of different disciplines – history, philosophy, cultural studies, and technology – because it keeps things interesting and exposes connections that you might not have thought of.”

But as with most programs at Capilano, David’s experience went beyond the content of the program itself. Reflecting on his time at Capilano, he says, “You really get a chance to know the other students in the class as friends, to build good working relationships, and to develop in ways that go above and beyond the content of the courses. The intimacy of the classes here and the campus in general is an important aspect of life here – developing relations not just with the students, but feeling a real conviviality with the instructors, too.”

David is looking forward to completing his communication degree, continuing his involvement with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, and teaching part time.  He agrees life is indeed a juggling act, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.