June 17, 2010
Media contact: Anne Russell
Cell: 604-798-3709
Office: 604-795-2826
anne.russell@ufv.ca
Finding his niche led to top marks and medal for Westendorp
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Governor General's bronze academic medal winner Philip Westendorp (right) with UFV VP Academic Eric Davis.
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Philip Westendorp is a bit of a Renaissance man when it comes to post-secondary education. He took in psychology, general sciences, and computer science -- completing an Associate of Science degree along the way -- before settling in and focusing on the Computer Information Systems program at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Westendorp is graduating with is CIS diploma this spring and is this year’s winner of the Governor General’s bronze academic medal for highest academic achievement in a two-year program at UFV. He graduates with a 3.89 (A-) grade point average.
The practical and hands-on focus on the CIS program suited Westendorp, who has already found full-time employment as a web developer for Insight for Living Canada, a Christian ministry with a strong online presence.
“Computers have always interested me,” Westendorp notes. “I’m generally interested in how things work, and the CIS program offered me a lot of hands-on, practical education. I also liked the small classes and the individual attention we received from the instructor. It provided me with the structure I needed.”
UFV’s Computer Information Systems program combines computing studies with some business and communications courses to create a well-rounded computer professional ready to take on the challenges of the information technology industry. CIS diploma graduates are very prepared in not only the technical aspects of information systems, but also in the business and communication skills that are so important for entry into successful careers in IT, according to CIS instructor Bob McAuliffe.
Westendorp is happy to have thrived in the CIS program, and admits that he hasn’t always been so academically successful.
“I spent a few years searching, and trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do, and at times found it hard to concentrate on school, so my marks weren’t always great. So in a way I feel funny accepting an award for top academic achievement. But I did turn around my marks while enrolled in the CIS program so I guess it’s okay.”
He attributes some of his success to enjoying working with his fellow students.
“A big thing for me was working with the other students, and in order to work with other people you have to know your stuff, so that’s one of the reasons why I did well.”
CIS instructor Bob McAuliffe says it was a pleasure to work with Westendorp in two recent courses.
“Not only was Phil a high achiever academically, but he was also very keen on understanding and applying the skills, knowledge and ‘best practices’ that he learned to real-world scenarios including both the business and technical aspects of IT.
“He was very helpful to me and to others in our courses together both as an example and as a role model for his team-mates. Phil was always keen to ‘jump in’ to get things going and contributed significantly to the leadership aspects of the team-based projects within our coursework together.”
Winning the award has also made Westendorp reconsider his future educational plans.
“I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner, and was planning to return to finish another two years and complete a bachelor’s degree, but not for a decade or so. But winning this award highlights the importance of school in my life, and had made me think that maybe I should consider coming back sooner. Either way, it’s a great thing to have on the resume.”
Westendorp credits his Christian faith for helping him through his searching years, and strong family support, initially from his parents and now also from his wife Alisa (also a UFV student), with encouraging him along the way.
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