Bernarda Camello-Doctor receives the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award from provost Bob OrrStudent Bernarda Camello-Doctor receives the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award from provost Bob Orr at a reception Monday in her honour.

“Energetic volunteer” receives national accolade

Bernarda Camello-Doctor is one of the most energetic volunteers on campus, dean of students Clayton Smith told friends and admirers gathered Monday to witness the UWindsor alumnus (MEd 1984, CRS 1999) receive a delayed honour.

Although she was tapped to receive the Caring Canadian Award from Gov. Gen. David Johnston in July 2013, Camello-Doctor was unable to attend the conferral ceremony. Monday’s reception provided a local opportunity to recognize her.

The award recognizes Canadians who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community.

Dr. Smith said that a quote by American philosopher John Dewey describes Camello-Doctor’s approach to life:  “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Since coming to Canada from her ntaive Philippines in 1959, she has taken courses at the University of Windsor for more than 50 years, taught home economics on campus in the early 1960s and then taught the same subject at St. Anne Catholic High School for 28 years. Her charitable work with youth in the local area as well as in developing countries overseas won her recognition as a caring Canadian.