Tova Zarnowiecki may not have made startling research discoveries or received an outstanding teaching award, but she has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students at The University of Western Ontario.
Tova Zarnowiecki says goodbye to The University of Western Ontario after 38 years of employment. A beloved Academic Counselor and Career Development Officer for the School of Kinesiology, Zarnowiecki retires on June 30.
Zarnowiecki is the Academic Counsellor & Career Development Officer for the School of Kinesiology and is retiring after 38 years at the university.
Few people have committed their entire life to the same organization, but each day Zarnowiecki arrived at her office, the challenges and rewards have kept it from feeling like work.
Zarnowiecki’s influence can be seen on her office wall, which is covered with cards of thanks from former students.
On days when in need of a boost, those notes offer a sense of accomplishment.
“I once thought we had to do great and wonderful things to say we had meaning in our life,” says Zarnowiecki. “But it’s the small things in life, and you don’t realize how you make a difference in people’s lives. The impact and footprint is made in small increments.”
She has watched many graduates take up successful careers, including Deborah Bright (BA ’90, MA ’92), President and CEO of Special Olympics Canada, who continued to seek advice from Zarnowiecki after she graduated.
“She has changed my life so significantly,” says Bright. “She inspired me to always reach out and help others … You don’t meet many people like Tova in life and I was fortunate enough to have met her.”
One student who sat in her office picking out courses moved to the other side of the desk as a faculty administrator.
Faculty of Health Sciences Acting Dean Kevin Wamsley knew Zarnowiecki as an undergraduate student in the early 1980s.
“She was my counsellor, so she helped me to choose courses and we talked about career paths,” says Wamsley.
“Tova is probably the foremost advocate for the undergraduate students in the Kinesiology program. She always has the students at heart.”
She is well-known across campus and many counsellors turn to her for advice and institutional history, he adds.
Through the years she has helped close to 38,000 students make decisions about courses and careers. Having no children of her own, she considers the many members of the School of Kinesiology part of her “extended family.”
“My whole approach was developed with the student in mind,” she says. “My passion is students.”
Looking back over the years, she is emotional about closing the door on such an integral part of her life.
“It was a very supportive environment for me to learn and grow,” she says. “I never thought of it as work.
“I do love working with the students and I need to channel that beyond the university gates,” she says. “I am going to live each day as if it is a weekend.”
Zarnowiecki will leave big shoes to fill, says Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Jim Weese.
“We are deeply indebted to Tova and thank her for her incredible contributions and selfless commitment. She has served and influenced thousands of students over her 38-year career that have benefited from her wise counsel and caring personality. We will all miss her.”