Community activist and University of Winnipeg alumnus Nick Ternette has returned to campus. After spending three-and-a-half months in hospital where he lost his legs to a flesh-eating disease, Ternette and his wife Emily recently moved into their new home in McFeetors Hall.

The U of W alumni affairs office offered the two-bedroom suite to the Ternettes when they heard they would be unable to return to their two-storey home in Wolseley due to its wheelchair inaccessibility.

Ternette said their suite at McFeetors is well suited to his needs, as well as his wife’s. Both are in wheelchairs.

“The way it is laid out is extremely accessible,” said Ternette, adding that the wide hallways and low counters make it easy for him and his wife to get around.

Although the Ternettes are happy with their new home, they miss their old home where they lived for 16 years. But Ternette said that in time they will adjust.

“Circumstances require you to make changes,” he said.

Helen Cholakis, director of alumni affairs, said the idea to offer the suite to the Ternettes came from alumnus Frank Liebzeit, U of W co-ordinator for the Winnipeg General Strike tours. Cholakis investigated the idea and it was approved by the president’s office.

Liebzeit said it seemed obvious to offer the suite to the Ternettes.

“It seemed like a perfect match for [Nick] because he has had so much history with the university,” he said.

“ The U of W has been good to me. They gave me a good education, so I am happy to give back.

Nick Ternette, community activist

Ternette graduated from the U of W in 1967 with a degree in sociology and political science. Since then he has remained active in the university community through the alumni association and as a visiting lecturer for the departments of sociology and education.

Cholakis said Ternette’s presence on campus will be beneficial for U of W students.

“We could just sort of imagine Nick fitting in really well with the student community at McFeetors Hall and we thought ... what a great experience it would be for the students to get to know him,” Cholakis said.

Although Ternette has no official plans yet, he is eager to contribute to the university community.

“I am quite open to doing whatever … the university wants me to,” he said, adding that he would be willing to mentor or lecture.

Ternette said it is important to him to show his appreciation for the U of W.

“You give back what you have gotten,” he said. “The U of W has been good to me. They gave me a good education, so I am happy to give back.”

Published in Volume 64, Number 12 of The Uniter (November 19, 2009)