Theresa Vander Hoeven

The Theresa Vander Hoeven Award of Excellence
Theresa Vander Hoeven is the proud founder of the Fashion Design Program of Fanshawe College in 1973. Theresa was co ordinator, professor, mentor and strong student advocate assisting students to strive for excellence and accomplish their dreams in their chosen field of fashion.

She maintained that the Fashion Design program provided pathways to success, an exceptional learning experience and a global outlook to meet the needs of students and employers. Theresa passion in teaching was exemplified in the classroom. Each student received all her knowledge and expertise each day. She made sure that recognition of the program was achieved through National and International competitions placing the fashion design program in the eyes of the apparel industry and educators.

When not in the classroom, Theresa was active in related educational areas, comprised of numerous committees within the college and community endeavours. Nine textbooks were authored by her for the Fashion Design program. She furthered her own personal education achieving an accreditation in Education from Confederation College.

Her Fanshawe Foundation contribution of providing financial assistance to students success began in 2000….The Fashion Design Bursary was established. Upon retirement, Theresa worked with the Advancement and Alumni Dept to create the Theresa Vander Hoeven Award of Excellence. To recognize the excellent achievement and accomplishments of a deserving graduating student.

As a member of the Remarkable Capital Campaign for Fanshawe College she expanded her financial support with a generous gift toward student success. In recognition of this gift… naming of a classroom in the new Centre of Digital and performance Arts in the Howard Rundle building in downtown London was established. The “Theresa Vander Hoeven Costume Arts Centre”.

It is always with continual pleasure and commitment that Theresa remain involved with Fanshawe College in every capacity. Attending the annual graduate fashion show and participating as a judge allowed her to remain connected to her educational career.

The Fashion Design Program is soon approaching its 50th anniversary of the program… 2023 will be the proof of the longevity, the pride, the determination and the passion that her program has provided for thousands of students.

Students come into the three year program with wide eyes and wonder and they leave polished and educated and ready to make their contribution to society in their chosen careers.

The Fashion Design Program Bursary
The Fashion Design Program at Fanshawe College is one of the most intense, expensive programs to be enrolled in throughout the college system. With the program’s project driven aspect of learning, students are faced with constant expenses of purchasing of fabrics and supplies, for their creation of original designed apparel. Historically, financial assistance was always through extensive government loans from the bank, additional evening jobs and continual parental assistance.

In 1997 Theresa Vander Hoeven, the program founder, co-ordinator and professor became aware of a campaign launched by the provincial government. It was an endowment program for students in financial need. Each dollar raised by the college would be matched by the province.

“It was a two year window to find different ways to raise money in order to assist my Fashion Design students in financial need.” This endowment program was an opportunity to create a necessary bursary that would be greatly appreciated. In short time, Theresa reached out to the fashion industry, co-workers, friends and family to request any financial assistance, to provide a pledge of any amount to support this campaign. Theresa initiated the campaign with a generous personal pledge. As an author of student textbooks all the money from her textbook sales went directly towards this growing account. “It was so rewarding to watch the funds growing and doubling immediately.”

In the year 2000 the first Fashion Design bursary was presented to a very deserving student who was the recipient of an International Award in a fashion competition.

Fast forward…..The opportunity of pledging a gift towards this campaign in 1997 has provided 22 years of assistance to deserving Fashion Design students in financial need.

Where there is a will…there is always a way!!