June 6, 2007 - 3:22am
It has been a busy and rewarding career for Malaspina University-College hairdressing instructor and coordinator Patricia Johnston.
Johnston will officially retire from Malaspina after 32 years of service in August, but was rewarded with the 2007 Honorary Service Award at the Malaspina convocation ceremony at the Port Theatre on June 5. This award is presented to individuals who achieve a standard of excellence and innovation that is exemplary to students, faculty and staff at Malaspina.
“It was a great surprise to receive this award,” said Johnston. “I’m thrilled to be recognized in this way.”
Johnston started her career as a student in the hairdressing program before moving on to work as a substitute teacher shortly after graduating. In 1980, she became a full-time instructor in the hairdressing department at Malaspina and eventually became department coordinator in 1991.
Johnston also served on many boards and committees including the Education Council and the Hairdressing Advisory and acted as Vice-President and President of the Society of Vocational Advisors. She also served as Trades and Applied Technology Safety Coordinator and worked for the government on the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission board as a Malaspina representative.
Despite her busy schedule and many achievements, Johnston’s best moments came with the people she met and the students she taught.
“Working with clients, students and everyone in the hairdressing department was a wonderful experience,” she said. “I loved every bit of it.”
“She was a great person to work with,” said Gillian Gray, salon assistant in Malaspina’s hairdressing department. “She has a true love and passion for the hairdressing industry and the success of her students.”
Now at the end of this stage of her life, Johnston has no regrets as she gets set to retire.
“I have no second thoughts. I put in a good thirty years and I loved it, but it’s time to move on and pass the torch to the next generation."
Tags: In the Community
