SHCS Retirements: Fall 2021

“Gigi Popa started working in Building Services in 2012. She was known for her commitment to work and her energetic demeanor. She was always ready to offer help to any resident or co-worker. She brought a liveliness to any group and we will miss her at work dearly.”

— Johanna Webber, Associate Director, Building Services

“Gladys worked at UBC for 14 years, 13 of them in the Student Housing Main Office where she supported our residence population in Student Family housing. Gladys thoroughly enjoyed working with families and was always particularly pleased when a resident or staff member would come by the office with a baby. Her warm personality and contagious giggle made Gladys a wonderful team member and friend to have in the office. Gladys was always willing to lend a hand, whether it be assisting in training a new staff member or brewing a mean pot of coffee for the office. She is a skilled gardener and was known for single-handedly keeping many of the plants in the SHCS Main Office alive. She is looking forward to spending more time gardening at home and being with her family and her cat. She is an avid traveler and looks forward to traveling much more in the coming years. We are excited for the adventures Gladys is going to embark on. She will be missed!”

— Natalie Tole, Associate Director, Residence Admissions and Administration

“Suzanne joined the Okanagan campus of UBC in March 2008 when there was less than a third of the number of beds on campus that there is currently. As the Manager of Conferences and Accommodation Suzanne has been an instrumental part of the leadership team throughout our growth. In addition to developing the conference and accommodation sector of our operation, Suzanne has also been tapped over the years for a number of different initiatives, including creating the campus Central Booking Office, acting as the Director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services for a year, being an active member of the Joint Job Evaluation Committee and coordinating the annual Student Move-in process. Suzanne has also been a highly active member of  CUCCOA (Canadian University and College Conference Organizers Association) where she shared her experience with university conference professionals from across the country. 

“In 2012, Suzanne’s work was recognized with a UBC Okanagan Staff Award of Excellence in Leadership. She was similarly recognized by the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce for a Business Community Excellence Award and by CUCCOA with a Members Choice Award for outstanding work.

“As much as Suzanne’s commitment to UBC Okanagan will be missed, we are very excited for her has she heads into this next stage. Retiring in the Okanagan looks very appealing – lots of people seem to do it!” 

— Shannon Dunn, Director, Business Operations

“Theo spent 30 years as part of the Student Housing assignments team. She watched Student Residence grow and change significantly during her time here and was always the resident expert on Thunderbird Residence, which she saw built and assigned the very first residents to. Theo is kind and caring and had the ability to speak patiently and empathetically with any student, no matter how many questions they may have had. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening her in backyard, often generously bringing in extra fruit and vegetables for her coworkers. She also loves practicing Yoga and spending time with her grandchildren- two things she plans to do much more of during retirement. Theo loves going on cruises, particularly ones that include ballroom dancing.  Theo is looking forward to many more cruises in the coming years, and perfecting her dancing skills. We hope that she will come by and show us her moves!” 

— Natalie Tole, Associate Director, Residence Admissions and Administration

“Chu Po started with Food Services in 1988. Although she has worked throughout the department, her final years were spent in Residence Dining, primarily at Totem. Chu Po’s interest in learning new things never stopped. She would quickly learn a new station, the menu items, and processes necessary to seamlessly serve our student guests. No matter where she was asked to work she excelled. When Chu Po smiled you could feel the glow; her whole face would light up. Not a big traveler, Cho Po enjoys meeting friends for lunch and trying her luck at the local casinos.”

— Rene Atkinson, Manager, Residence Dining

“UBC Food Services is grateful for the 17 years of service from Tony Grewal. Tony started out at UBC as a Commissary Cook in our Central Kitchen where he led the graveyard shift overseeing the bake shop and sandwich production. He then became the Commissary Cook leading the culinary team within Residence Dining at Totem Park. Prior to retiring, Tony returned to the Central Kitchen and led our hot food production for retail. Over the years Tony mentored and taught a great number of cooks at UBC. He was a well-liked member of the kitchen team and we wish him all the best in his retirement. Thank you, Tony, for your numerous contributions to UBC!”

— David Speight, Executive Chef & Culinary Director