I have told this story many times, but it is so good that I will tell it again.
For years, I coordinated afterschool technology classes, weekend robotics workshops, and coding camps. They were meaningful, but eventually, my efforts stalled once my son finished junior high.
That is when two engineers stepped in and made a lasting impact: Dr. Libby Osgood and Amber Jadis (whose passing was a huge loss to our community).
Scaling STEM Opportunities for Island Youth
Libby had worked at NASA before moving to Prince Edward Island to help launch UPEI’s School of Engineering. Alongside Amber, she scaled STEM programming in ways I could not have done alone.
What began as small, grassroots classes became something bigger and more sustainable. Thanks to their leadership, more young people gained access to robotics, coding, and engineering opportunities.
A Personal Turning Point
As a parent, I was concerned that my son, despite his strong aptitude for computer science and engineering, was leaning toward psychology in post-secondary.
Then one day, Libby came into his class to speak about UPEI’s engineering program.
That conversation changed everything.
He decided to enroll in the School of Sustainable Design Engineering, a hands-on track focused on innovation and 21st-century skills.
I was over the moon. And I was so grateful to Libby.
More Than an Engineer
By then, Libby had completed her PhD and become Dr. Libby Osgood. But she was preparing for an entirely different kind of calling: entering the novitiate to become a nun.
Tomorrow, in Montreal, she will be ordained.
Her journey is extraordinary. From NASA to academia to spiritual leadership, she has consistently chosen paths that create impact far beyond herself.
Gratitude and Admiration
Libby’s influence has been profound in my family’s life. Her speech at my son Jake’s engineering ring ceremony was inspiring and deeply meaningful.
She has been a blessing to us and to so many others, likely in ways she will never fully realize.
As she takes this next step, I cannot express how proud and happy I am for her.
Closing Thought
Sometimes inspiration comes from where you least expect it. For me, it came through the mentorship and generosity of a friend who helped shape my son’s future and continues to inspire our community.
Dr. Libby Osgood is proof that you can be remarkable in more than one field and that leadership is not only about what you achieve, but about the lives you touch along the way.