UTM’s latest retirees share advice and memories
As she heads into retirement, UTM Senior Human Resources Consultant Louise Oliver has some parting advice: Working at UTM offers benefits which go well beyond a paycheque, so make the most of life on campus.
“The thing I love about working on a university campus is that we are constantly surrounded by knowledge and people who are stretching and learning, we are always reaching just above our comfort zone,” she says. “On any given day we can go to a workshop or seminar and it’s fantastic that we have that kind of access to so much information. I definitely encourage people to get involved.”
Director of Research Devin Kreuger also offers high praise as he heads into early retirement.
“I chose UTM because I saw the opportunity of a small place to make your mark, it was really the best decision of my career,” says Kreuger. “There’s such a welcoming spirit, people look you in the eye and learn your name, we care about each here. I’ve met so many wonderful people and grown into a better person because of my time at UTM.”
“I’ve really seen UTM grow and prosper from a primarily undergraduate teaching campus to a robust research facility,” he says, noting research revenue has grown from to $15 million from $3 million during his time.
Oliver has also been witness to the campus’s expansion, with enrolment more than doubling since she joined UTM in March 2004, after starting at U of T as a casual employee in the Faculty of Medicine in 1986.
“The amount of growth has been incredible,” she says. “It’s been fun to be part of all the hiring.”
Before moving into HR, Oliver spent two years as the president of the U of T staff association, just prior to the creation of the union. She says it was an excellent way to get to know staff at U of T and UTM.
“It was good to learn about the history of the campus, and the issues and concerns of University staff,” she says. “Most of us have the same worries: job security, working conditions, health.”
Kreuger says there are exciting things in UTM’s future, noting there are women in leadership positions and a commitment to address Indigenous and BIPOC issues, equity, diversity and inclusion.
“All these things that I’ve been working on in the background for all of these years are finally taking root,” says Kreuger. “Now I get to sit back and see the fruits of my labour take on a new life, to grow more.”
Oliver’s official last day was May 31 and her partner retired four years ago, so they are now waiting for COVID restrictions to lift so they can reconnect with family and friends in person. In the meantime, she says, she’s enjoying getting acclimatized to the simpler life of retirement.
“It’s nice to wake up and not have to do anything,” she says, with a laugh.
Kreuger too is ready to relax.
“I was thinking about when the last time was that I had no responsibilities,” says Kreuger, who was inspired to retire after being surrounded by his loved ones and reminders of his hobbies while working from home ― including books, knitting, photography, video games and tarot cards, which he used to give charity readings for United Way at UTM. “I’m looking forward to a couple of months of just doing whatever I want and see what my soul prompts me to do.”
Other staff and faculty retiring this year:
• Ronald Beiner (Political Science)
• Charles Elkabas (Language Studies)
• Claude Evans (Language Studies)
• Darryl Gwynne (Biology)
• Bernard Katz (Philosophy)
• Ulrich Krull (Chem/Phys.Sciences)
• Mark Lippincott (Political Science)
• Judith Poe (Chem/Phs. Sciences)
• Harvey Shear (Geography)
• William Weiss (Math/Comp. Sciences)
• Anthony Wensley (Institute of CCIT)
• Timothy Westwood (Biology)
• John Kervin (Sociology)
• Anne Gaiger (Career Centre)
• Peter Urbanek (English and Drama)
• Sally Seim (Library)
• Merrylee Greenan (English and Drama)
• Madeline Keogh (Health and Counselling Centre)
• Maria Melo (Facilities, Management and Planning)
• Veronica Brown (Human Resources)
• Peggy Shkuda (Career Centre)