One of the hardest things you always have to face when working in the international schools environment is saying goodbye to really special people you work with.

Lynn Wells, former Director of Admissions & Advancement at AISB, moved to Kenya last year to start a new, more exotic, adventure. As it often happens with people whomake a true difference, theplace Lynn left at AISB will probably never be entirelyfilled.

I started working alongside Lynn 12 years ago in theAdvancement Office of AISB,planning the Dedication Day of the new campus. It was quite an exciting venture for both of us as the showwas to be grand and the “todo” list was extensive. The Dedication Day celebrations marked the first step in ourmove to the campus that so many of us now know and love, the campus that has seen happy students and educators pass through its halls year after year, progressing from strength to strength and each leaving their personal touch upon their departure to new adventures.

Lynn Wells was the firstmentor I had in the world of international school education. I worked alongside him in the advancement, and later in
the admissions, department and learned so many valuable lessons. Lynn has taught me to think hard before I open my mouth to speak, and even more before I put words on paper. He taught me to try to be objective and empathic in my interactions with people and remember to always be kind, “for each one of us fights a hard battle every day that nobody else knows about.” It has been in my professional conversations with Lynn Wells that I learnedthat what you offer is manytimes what you receive and that when that does not happen, it still is better foryour offer to be a better one.

In his 12 years at AISB,  Lynn was the promoter and driver of so many programs that showed true innovation and enhanced the feeling
of community at AISB. The Lynn Wells legacy includes so much, that the few mentions below hardly do him justice:

 

• Friends of AISB which wasto be the first truly well-organized capital campaignfundraising effort;

• Inspiration Nightsto support the AISB scholarship fund;

• Senior Breakfast, a great way to say goodbye to ourseniors every year and offera nice, thoughtful gift;

• Senior Awards, offering ahelping hand to our most deserving graduates;

• Inspiration Fund, developing the school’sfundraising efforts tosupport the many great projects that AISB students are involved in;

• 50th Anniversarycelebrations and memorabilia – have you seen the wonderful 50th anniversary book?;

• The Alumni Associationestablished as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

 

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Lynn, and know that those who now have this chance have gained a great gift. As with all of our Alumni, we look forward to welcoming Lynn to AISB when he visits Bucharest with his family – and we hope they will come by soon!

 

There truly is nothing at AISB that does not have the Lynn Wells personal and professional print on it. His dedication and commitment to AISB are admirable, and ISKenya has truly gained a diplomatic and knowledgeable leader.

As Lynn’s AISB family, we send our warmest regards to a great educator and friend!

Lynn Wells
 

by Catalina Gardescu
AISB Manager of Admissions & External Relations

Read the entire WORLD Magazine Winter 2014 edition here.