Ramona Lumpkin, PhD Principal, Huron University College 2001 ...

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I remember well, years ago,
interviewing Ramona when she first
applied for the position of Principal of
Huron University College. Here I was, a
new Dean only months in the position,
yet feeling giddy with excitement that
she might possibly be our new leader.
Imagine how I must have felt
experiencing for the first time what
years later the whole Huron community
came to know and love - vision,
excitement, energy to spare, abounding
humour, accountability, fairness and
a deep faith in the educational and
religious mission of the college. We
would be so lucky to have her and, we
were.
Not a week passes that I do not
remember the lessons learned or the joy
of an experience shared with Ramona.
It was my honour to share a path with
Principal Ramona Lumpkin at her
farewell dinner in the Kingsmill
Room (formerly the SAC),
September 17th, 2010
her. She was loved and respected by
students, staff, national colleagues,
faculty, alumni, board members and by
me. She will be missed. Let us honour
her by honouring the work she did and
the love she extended to all of us, the
Huron Community.
The Rt. Rev. John H Chapman ’78,
Bishop of Ottawa and Dean of Theology,
Huron University College, 2000 – 2007
It was my first meeting with Ramona,
long before I became actively involved
with the College, that remains indelibly
etched in my mind.
I was introduced to her by Ken
Andrews in her office. And it was like
we were old friends…like it wasn’t the
first time we had met. And we talked
about the College and its challenges and
opportunities and what it meant to me,
and more importantly what it meant to
her. I remember being touched by how
she made the time to talk to me.
I have heard many times since my
first meeting that I am not alone and
that others who meet her for the first
time feel the same way – that her
personal notes on letters to alumni or
the way that she always remembers a
name makes them feel special…makes
them feel a part of Huron.
She leaves us with a legacy of caring,
not only for Huron University College,
but also for its students, faculty, staff,
alumni and friends. We will miss her
deeply but know that others can only
benefit from her tremendous leadership
and example.
Sandra Datars Bere, President, Huron
University College Alumni Association