From Service to Support
Posted on Friday, November 14th, 2025
Every community has people whose stories quietly remind us what strength and purpose look like. This year, as part of the Algonquin College Alumni of Distinction Awards, the Pembroke Campus proudly honours Marcie Lane, recipient of the Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award. Her journey, from military service to social service, reflects not only courage and reinvention but also the way education and community can intersect to change lives.
Marcie’s path began more than two decades ago when she enrolled in Police Foundations at Algonquin College. That experience led her into the Canadian Armed Forces, where she served as a military photojournalist, capturing stories of courage and sacrifice around the world. Her lens took her from training fields to deployment zones, where she chronicled the experiences of soldiers and their families.
But even the strongest among us face battles closer to home. When Marcie was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer, she found herself confronting a new fight, one that tested her resolve and reshaped her perspective. After recovery, she returned to the classroom, this time in the Social Service Worker program at the Pembroke Campus, determined to translate her personal resilience into professional service. “These people are the experts in their own lives,” she says of her clients. “We can’t rely on assumptions or stereotypes.”
That philosophy now guides her work as Engagement Lead with the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, where she assists veterans and their families in navigating the often complex process of transitioning out of military life. She also continues her studies, completing a post-graduate certificate in Addictions and Mental Health, driven by her belief that informed, compassionate support can make all the difference.
Marcie’s story resonates because it feels familiar, not in its details, but in its essence. It’s the story of someone who has faced hardship and chosen to transform it into purpose. It’s a story that reflects the heart of the Ottawa Valley: perseverance, humility, and community care.
For the Pembroke Campus, her recognition represents more than a single success story. It’s a reminder of the ripple effect that occurs when graduates apply their learning to the world. Our alumni don’t just find jobs; they create impact. They become nurses, entrepreneurs, educators, environmental stewards, and advocates. People whose daily work strengthens the social and economic fabric of our region.
Marcie’s example also underscores the power of lifelong learning. Education isn’t always linear; sometimes it’s a second chance, a career pivot, or a healing process. Her return to Algonquin after years of service demonstrates what’s possible when determination meets opportunity, and how the support of a caring campus can reignite both purpose and possibility.
As we celebrate Marcie Lane as this year’s Alumna of Distinction, we celebrate every graduate who takes what they learned here and uses it to lift others. These are the stories that remind us why education matters, not just for individual achievement, but for the collective strength of our communities.
Marcie’s is one of many inspiring stories. Are you an alumnus of the Pembroke Campus? Please share your story with us here: algonquincollege.com/pembroke/alumni.
Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz, Acting Manager, Community & Student Affairs
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