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Quarter‑century club

Long-serving employees feted

- June 13, 2007

Anne Vessey and Alice Ridgeway
Ann Vessey and Alice Ridgway attended the long-service tea at the President's House. (Abriel photo)

A quarter-century ago, Bette Davis Eyes was at the top of the charts, ET was in theatres, and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was sitting down with Queen Elizabeth to sign the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

At ϳԹ, the School of Occupation Therapy was opened, and ϳԹMemorial Arena was brand new. In the pre-email era, Ann Vessey was typing memos as an administrative assistant at the ϳԹArts Centre, Patrick MacIsaac started as night manager at Fenwick Place, and Martin Gibling was the newest professor in the Earth Sciences department.

ÒBeing at Dalhousie, youÕre always learning new things Ñ from professors, technicians, engineers Ñ and I think thatÕs why itÕs such a great place to work,” says Mr. MacIsaac, now a project leader with Facilities Management, while attending an afternoon tea for long-serving ϳԹemployees.

Graphic artist Gail LeBlanc has worked under the tenure of three presidents (Andrew MacKay, Howard C. Clark, Tom Traves) and seen buildings go up (Computer Science, McCain, Rowe) and buildings go down (Sir James Dunn Law Library by fire).

ÒWeÕre always moving forward at ϳԹto become one of the best schools in the country, and thatÕs an exciting thing to be a part of,” says Ms. LeBlanc. ÒThe beautiful campus, the people who work here, the prestige of the schoolÉ you just canÕt beat it.”

As a geologist, Dr. Gibling was drawn to ϳԹand the Atlantic coast Òbecause Nova Scotia has the rocks I need,” he says with a laugh. Now the chair of the Earth Sciences department, he says the collegiality among faculty members and students thirsty to learn make coming to work a pleasure. The department has been re-energized by the addition of new faculty members, who are keen to collaborate and enthusiastic in the classroom.

ÒIn the Ô90s, money was tight and we lost many people to retirement and there were no new people coming in. So this has been a wonderful change.”

At the long service tea, ϳԹPresident Tom Traves presented ϳԹ25-year pins to employees, including:

  • Dr. David Alexander, Surgery
  • Bryant Beaver, Facilities Management
  • Marian Binkley, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Ruth Bleasdale, Department of History
  • Peter Bodorik, Computer Science
  • Christine Cameron, College of Continuing Education
  • Karen Chandler, University Library
  • Lesley Choyce, Transition Year Program
  • Monique Comeau, Department of Economics
  • Michael Conrad, Dentistry, Dean's Office
  • Diane Courrier, Housing and Conference Services
  • Peter Davidson, Housing and Conference Services
  • Richard Dunlap, Physics and Atmospheric Science
  • Alison Edwards, Office of the Vice-President Finance and Administration
  • Mohomed El-Hawary, Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Lloyd Fraser, College of Continuing Education
  • Martin Gibling, Earth Sciences
  • Susan Hagen, University Library
  • Thomas Issekutz, Pediatrics
  • Norma Keeping, Earth Sciences
  • Cheryl Kozey, Physiotherapy
  • Gail LeBlanc, Design Services
  • Keith Louden, Oceanography
  • Patrick MacIsaac, Facilities Management
  • Patricia Melanson, School of Nursing
  • Danford Middlemiss, Political Science
  • Michael O'Sullivan, College of Continuing Education
  • Michael Pegg, Process Engineering
  • Frances Pottie, Facilities Management
  • Michael  Poulton, Planning
  • Margaret Ridgway, External Relations
  • Maria Rockwell, Civil and Resource Engineering
  • Barry Ruddick, Oceanography
  • Jana Sawynok, Pharmacology
  • David Schroeder, Department of Music
  • Shirley Sherman, Financial Services
  • Jerome Singleton, Health and Human Performance
  • John Thompson, Process Engineering and Applied Science
  • Karen Thompson, Department of Chemistry
  • Anne Timmins, Faculty of Engineering
  • Darlene Van de Rijit, Earth Sciences
  • Luisa Vaughan, Pharmacology
  • Ann Vessey, External Relations
  • Teresa Walsh, Business Administration
  • Richard Wassersug, Anatomy and Neurobiology
  • Debbie Weissent, Sexton Design and Technology Library