Leanne Holland-Brown Tribute

Oct. 23, 2019

In her role as dean of students, Leanne was many things - mentor, friend, colleague, and role model.

At our convocation ceremonies in the spring, students and parents on the Waterloo Campus came up to me to share their memories of her. The memories were poignant, heartfelt, often funny, and always inspiring.

Many of you will have had close ties with Leanne. Her job at Laurier was to foster the conditions that best supported student academic achievement, personal growth and well-being.

She put students in touch with resources when they were struggling with university life and embodied compassion, empathy and understanding, letting students know that both she and Laurier cared about them.

While I can only guess at the number of personal interactions she’d had with students over the years, what I know with certainty is that Leanne touched everyone with whom she came in contact and they were better for having made that connection.

She was a true leader at Laurier and contributed greatly to its spirit and sense of community.

My fondest memories of Leanne are when she would bring Holden or Drew or both of them to football or basketball games and we’d be able to spend non-work time together.

It was so important to Leanne, not that the illusive work-life balance was being made, but that her family and colleagues had a chance to each share the best of her worlds. And that is what Leanne did for all of use, she made the world a happier, better, more balanced place.

I encourage everyone to use today’s tribute and the spaces and initiatives dedicated to her memory to reflect on how we can work together to live up to Leanne’s example and our collective goal of building a thriving community.

This university will be poorer for no longer having her guidance and wisdom but richer for the example she’s set to which we can all aspire.