A Magazine for Alumni and Friends
This seems like a good opportunity to introduce myself. Hi, I’m Justin Fauteux and I’m thrilled to be the new editor of Campus.
Wilfrid Laurier University has been a part of my life for the better part of a decade since I started my undergrad in 2008. My time at Laurier was defined by my involvement with The Cord. I started covering sports as a first year and worked my way up to editor-in-chief. That experience not only opened several doors, career-wise, it shaped who I am today – it’s amazing what you learn about yourself when you get about 12 hours of sleep in a week.
A month after finishing my undergrad I had an internship with The Globe and Mail where, by virtue of being the intern working the late shift, I wrote the Globe’s first story on the Rob Ford crack scandal.
When my internship ended, like many recent grads, I wasn’t sure what to do next and when a communications role at Laurier popped up, I jumped on it. That job was a five-month contract but I ended up sticking around a little longer and eventually there was this great opportunity to be the editor of Campus.
I never thought my career path would lead me back to Laurier, especially not so soon. But that seems to be the way it goes; is anyone exactly where they thought they’d end up? Whose path hasn’t taken at least a turn or two?
That’s a common theme among the alumni you’ll meet in this issue, a long, winding road to where they are today. Bill Webb passed up a safe entry-level job to travel the world before starting his career; Jeff Melanson went from being an opera singer to one of Canada’s leading arts and culture executives; Alison Wearing’s curiosity and love of travel has not only helped inspire her writing, it’s led her through a fascinating life.
I hope you enjoy this issue and I’d love to hear any feedback, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch – jfauteux@wlu.ca – if you see something you like, don’t like or have a story to tell.
Justin Fauteux (BA ’13)