UBC makes a point of celebrating the milestones of its students. The same goes for employees—and administrators at the Okanagan campus recently honoured 28 people for their years of dedicated service.

More than 20 of those employees were applauded for 25 years of service, while James Tanner was congratulated for 30 years; Joyce Boon, Doris Callaghan, and Carolyn MacHardy were thanked for 35 years; and Edward Butz, Barrie McCullough, and David Smith were congratulated for more than 40 years.

“This region has a great history in post-secondary education,” said Lisa Levell, from UBC Okanagan’s Human Resources department. “Fifty years ago, the Okanagan’s school districts voted to establish and fund Okanagan Regional College. It was a wonderful, forward-thinking idea—and we can trace the history of both UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College to that bold decision by the people of our region.”

UBC Okanagan was established in September 2005 and Levell said while some long-time employees have worked at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, many employees started their careers at Okanagan College and simply continued working when UBC opened its doors.

“Whether you began with Okanagan College or with UBC in Vancouver, you have been part of building a remarkable college and university system for this province. And one that serves the Okanagan in extraordinary ways,” Levell added.

Also on hand to celebrate the many years of service were Deborah Buszard, deputy vice-chancellor and principal of UBC Okanagan, Cynthia Mathieson, provost and vice-principal at the Okanagan campus, and special guest Jim Hamilton, president of Okanagan College. Each employee was presented with a gift to thank them for their decades of service.

By far, this is the largest group of employees UBC Okanagan has celebrated.

25-year honourees
-  Wendy Andrews—Faculty of Health and Social Development
-  Jack Boychuk—Payment and Procurement Services
-  Fes de Scally —Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Mary Forrest—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Karen Hill—Okanagan Campus Library
-  James Hull— Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Andrew Irvine— Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Jim Johnson—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Catherine King—Facilities Management
-  Janet MacArthur— Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
-  Sharon McCoubrey—Faculty of Education
-  Tena McKenzie—Human Resources
-  Wendy Mohns—Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
-  Murray Neuman—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Blythe Nilson—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  James Rochlin—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Barbara Rutherford—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Karen Whitehouse—Okanagan Campus Library
-  Piotr Wrzesniewski—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Teresa Wrzesniewski—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Qiduan Yang—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences

30-year honouree
-  James Tanner— Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies

35-year honourees
-  Joyce Boon—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Doris Callaghan—Faculty of Health and Social Development
-  Carolyn MacHardy—Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies

40-year honourees
-  Edward Butz—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  Barrie McCullough—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
-  David Smith—Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences

News from © iNFOnews, 2014