Community

Patti (Leeb) Infanti gives from the heart

As financial systems analyst at the University of Lethbridge, Patti (Leeb) Infanti deals with dollars and cents, but at the heart, she’s all about community.

Infanti has been at the U of L for 26 years. She’s worked in a variety of different roles over the course of her career, but Infanti’s current position in the Department of Financial Services gives her an inside track on just how important a positive cash flow can be – and the culmination of time and experience Infanti has on campus gives her financial insights a very personal slant.

Patti (Leeb) Infanti’s admiration for students and keen appreciation for the financial workings at the U of L motivated her to give more than just her time and skills to the University.

“I’m amazed by students,” she says. “Every year I see it – an influx of determined, dedicated, talented young people who are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Their work ethic is incredible. They rise to every challenge. University is no walk in the park – students are under a lot of pressure, not just academically, but financially too. Money is a real issue no matter who or what we’re talking about. It’s part of the equation for everyone and students are no different.”

Infanti’s admiration for students and keen appreciation for the financial workings at the U of L motivated her to give more than just her time and skills to the University. Infanti is a longstanding contributor to the Supporting Our Students (SOS) initiative – a scholarship and bursary program that’s funded 100 per cent by U of L employees and retirees.

“I really don’t like the notion that someone who wants to get an education might not because of a lack of funding,” says Infanti. “Everyone is entitled to an education. Money shouldn’t get in the way of it. To imagine there are bright minds out there that won’t reach their potential because of finances? That’s unthinkable to me. Knowing what I know of students – how hard they work, how focused they are; as an employee of the University, the least I can do is support their efforts.”

Infanti’s history of supporting scholarships has a very personal beginning. A friend who lost a son several years ago started a fund in his memory. Infanti began contributing to that fund as a way to honour her friend’s son and help her through the grieving.

“It was a really natural thing to do, so that’s where it all started,” says Infanti of her first contributions. “Things grew from there. I began contributing to other funds in other areas and the more I participated the better I felt about it. Once my own children began university and started to receive scholarships themselves, I could see the importance of that kind of support from the other side. The benefits of scholarships are huge, and not just for students. When students have financial breathing room, everyone on campus benefits.”

From Infanti’s perspective, contributing to SOS is contributing to a community that she considers a second home. She’s an active volunteer not only on campus but also in the city, and serves as member of the U of L SOS committee.

“I’ve been at the U of L for nearly three decades and I can honestly say that I’ve loved every day of it. The University of Lethbridge is a very special place filled with incredible people, and I feel compelled to help uphold it. SOS is part of the glue that holds our campus together. We are one big community. It’s up to us to create the kind of environment we want to be a part of.”

Please join Patti and support our students today.