Dr. Elizabeth Elle

and now:

Elizabeth and Thelma, fall of 2013

When did you meet Thelma?	2000
In what capacity did you know Thelma?	mentee
Where are you now?	still at SFU!
Wishes:	I started my SFU journey in January of 2000, and within a few months of taking up my position Thelma Finlayson invited me to lunch.  She was thrilled that the Department’s first hire in about 6 years was a) female and b) an insect biologist (well, not really, though my evolutionary ecology research is often about the interactions between plants and bugs).  We had a lovely lunch at the DAC, Thelma in her pastel pantsuit (what else?), both of us talking about insects and doing science, and me asking lots of questions about what it was like to be a woman in science in her day.  Much has changed.  Much has not.  But one thing that is hugely important for all people to succeed is mentorship and support.  It meant so much to me that Thelma reached out when I was just starting to get my bearings.  It’s what she does so well, mentorship, and over the years she has touched countless lives at SFU and beyond. I’m so glad to be Chair of Biological Sciences during this special occasion—the 100th birthday of our first professor emerita!  I was thrilled to be able to plan a scientific symposium in her honour, as well as this little surprise—the web page and memory book.   Thelma, I wish you a wonderful birthday, filled with the good wishes of the many, many people you have touched over the years.  I look forward to more visits with you, more talk of insects and orchids, and more Manhattans (you make a great one!).   And I look forward to planning your next party!