Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, April 2023

Jan Martin: Happily Supporting Camosun

Students for Seventeen Years
I spent the first half of my working career in the BC
Government but, towards the late 1990s, I began to think
there was something else out there for me. I am so thankful I
followed my instincts.

I took a short term contract in Student Services at Camosun

College 1997. It was a big risk because I was well established
in my previous employment, but it felt right. It turned out my
timing was very fortunate because, within a fairly short time, I
secured a full time position in the college’s Admissions/
Registration department.

Admissions/Registration has always been an exceptionally busy and dynamic

place to work. I spent seventeen
years there and never felt the need to
leave because I was always learning.
Change was a constant part of the
experience.

I worked with so many wonderful

people. There was a strong feeling of
being part of a great team that was
committed to student success.

We had to be flexible and able to

make quick adjustments. For
example, the fire in the Dawson
Building in the late 1990s which
happened on the first day of the
semester!!! Admissions/Registration
personnel were quickly relocated to
the basement of the Ewing building. It
was challenging but we made it work.
Jan at work, early days

I remember the special Continuing

Education registration days when we would do hundreds of registrations in one
day. It was always hectic but a very special community event.
 Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, April 2023

Top Row L to R: Pat Newman, Heike Pfeutzner, Ann Martin, Cheryl

McQuillan, Janet Danks, Gladys Smith, Barb Doyle, Karen Gorosh
Bottom Row L to R: Jan Martin, Jackie Eddy, Cindy Shields, Judy Corbin,
Janice DeGirolamo, Maja Brisco

(The yellow jackets were part of the fishing theme to honour Registrar Bruce
Baker who was returning to Newfoundland)

Back row L to R: Cathy Dye, Terrie Hamilton, Lynda Warren, Natalie Corbett, Maja
Briscoe, Leslie Martin, Clare Vining, Trina Bernardin, Paulyne Vining, Susan Meredith,
Jan Martin, Suzanne Morris
Front Row L to R: Bonnie Stackhouse, Maryanne Kawahara, Gladys Smith,
Linh Taylor, Stacy Garland, Cindy Shields
 Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, April 2023

There’s no doubt we worked hard but we also had a

lot of fun. We had our famous “food days” and there
was always something or someone to celebrate.

One of the benefits of working in Admissions/

Registration was that we worked closely with the
various College Departments and Schools. It was a
great opportunity to connect with other college
employees and foster a sense of community.

And then of course there were the Students! It was

always about the students and they were the best
clients you could ever wish for. They were patient,
appreciative and very enjoyable to work with.

Once I completed my 35 years of service

(Government and College combined) I thought it was Jane Bond and Jan at a
time to retire. I often remember the very special send pancake breakfast in support
of the United Way
off I was given!

I have been retired for 15 years and boy

does time fly when you’re having fun!

My husband, Ken, and I live a quiet but

enjoyable life. I like being at home or
working in the garden. Ken happily
continues to work on his paintings.
Beyond that, we spend time walking,
biking and visiting with friends and family.

Above: Jan’s Retirement Gathering

Right: Jan with husband, Ken

 Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, April 2023

I joined the YM-YWCA when I retired and soon became a volunteer with the
Strong Kids campaign. It was the Y’s fundraising campaign to support children
and youth in our community. My role evolved to where I was the Chair of the
campaign for several years.

I later took on a volunteer position as a

greeter at the BC Cancer Agency.

Ken and I love train travel and have taken

the train to Nova Scotia. It’s such a
wonderful way to see the country and we
always enjoy meeting people from all
over the world. We have also driven
across BC a few times. My favourite
campsite is the Kokanee Creek
campground just outside Nelson.

In recent years we have spent time

exploring the beautiful Comox Valley, the
trails and the coffee shops!

In the last while, Ken and I have been

spending time with my brother who is in
an advanced stage of Alzheimers
disease. We have felt very thankful to be
able to spend time with him, attempting to
make his life a little more interesting. This
experience has enriched our lives in
ways we could never have expected.
One of the many beautiful trails in the
Comox Valley One of the nice things about living in
Victoria is that there’s always the
possibility of encountering people from the college. I ALWAYS love to bump into
people from Camosun. I also appreciate the CCARE newsletter and the CCARE
committee and all that they do to encourage Camosun retirees’ connection with
the College and each other. It helps me feel that I am still part of that special
community.
Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, April 2023