“Starting at UBC in October 1988, Paula has worked at several Food Services’ locations, including Bread Garden, Pacific Spirit Place and, most recently, Tim Hortons Forestry, where she brings her contagious smile and work ethic. An inspiration to her colleagues and UBC student workers and customers alike, Paula always goes above and beyond the expectation every day.

“She genuinely cares about her work, and her dedication and commitment is impressive to many.”

— Jody Ropas, Retail Manager, Food Services

“Teresa started working at UBC in July 1988, and since that time she has worked at Underground, The Barn, The Bus Stop Café (as a server!), IRC, Steamies, Subway and Café Perugia, where she has worked the last 18 years.

“When Teresa is working you always know you have no worries, the customer will get served quickly with a huge smile and everything in the back of house will be taken care of. She loves to laugh and always moves swiftly to ensure quick service.

“Her customers often ask for her by name and if she’s away—she loves to travel!—they are quick to ask when she’ll be back. No matter where Teresa works, the supervisors and staff love her dedication and commitment to the customers and the university.”

— Jody Ropas, Retail Manager, Food Services

“Dick has been a core member of the UBC culinary team for 35 years. A well-liked member of the team, he is always willing to help a new face get settled at UBC. Having worked in almost every kitchen on campus, he continues to be a great team player.

“Outside of work, Dick’s true passion is fishing. It doesn’t matter the type of water, he’ll fish it! But when the weather gets too cold for fishing, he can be found indoors at the pool hall working on his billiards skills. His opponents fear him almost as much as the fish do!”

— David Speight, Executive Chef and Culinary Director

“In April 1988, Shirley started at UBC in Financial Services; in November 1990, she joined Student Housing as a Payroll Clerk. Since that time, she has tirelessly supported staff, supervisors and her colleagues by always being available to answer questions and ensuring their pay is accurate and on time—and, more recently, helping colleagues navigate the Workday Payroll system.

“In her spare time Shirley enjoys travelling with her husband Paul and spending time with her two children, Ashley and Ryan.

“Shirley, we are so glad you are a part of our team. Congratulations on achieving 35 years of service with SHCS!”

— Vicky Lau, Payroll Manager and Rob Wharton, Associate Director, Finance and Payroll

“Congratulations to Andrew Parr on achieving 35 years of service at UBC. From humbling beginnings, Andrew has worked his way up the leadership ladder to oversee the country’s largest auxiliary operation.

“UBC houses more than 15,000 students and serves more than 90,000 students, faculty and staff across Food Services, Parking, Child Care, Conferences and Accommodation, Student Housing and the Bookstore and Campus Mail. The growth and excellence in these areas can be directly attributed to Andrew’s leadership and vision. Under some of the most difficult conditions (e.g., COVID, rising costs, etc.), Andrew and his team continue to keep their operations at the head of the class.

“Thirty-five years of service is a testament to Andrew’s durability and commitment, but more importantly his lengthy term of service continues to be a gift to UBC. We would likely not be where we are today as a university and as a division were it not for his commitment to excellence. Thank you for your dedicated service.”

— Ainsley Carry, Vice-President, Students

“Greg has been a recognized face at the front desks for the past 35 years, many of those years in a leadership role as a coordinator. He has spent significant time at Place Vanier, Acadia Park and Marine Drive as a supervisor and has been part of helping to shape the hundreds of staff that have worked at the front desks over all these years. Greg’s dedication and commitment to his work has been evident in all his years with UBC. He is always looking at ways to improve our processes to create a better experience for the students who live with us.

“Greg has been an avid film buff for most of his life and has written many print and online film reviews throughout the years.

“In June 2021, Greg received a shout-out from President Ono as an unsung hero for the support he provided students and staff during the pandemic. Congratulations, Greg, and many thanks for your years of service!”

— Carol Young, Associate Director, Service Development and Operations

“David has worked for Campus Mail for the last 35 years, and during that time he has been a big part of building our reputation for great service and  supporting the UBC community at large. In his role, he supports a network of mail routes that facilitate the delivery of mail to over 400 locations on and off-campus.

“Always willing to share his knowledge with new team members, his colleagues have benefited from his significant experience, not to mention his efforts to help keep the team safe through his ongoing participation on the health and safety committee.

“An avid sports fan, David loves to listen to the local sports channels. He also enjoys spending time with his two dogs, who he likes to take on long walks.

“Congratulations, David, and many thanks for your years of service!”

— Rodolfo Calero, Associate Director, Bookstore and Campus Mail

“Adrian Popple has just completed 40 years of employment with UBC. He tells us that the first time he came to this campus was with his grade eight English class. The teacher liked to bring students to Vancouver to introduce different life path choices. They walked through the Downtown Eastside, from the old bus depot, and then took a city bus out to UBC to check out the campus and classrooms.

“A few years later, in the fall of 1979, Adrian loaded up his Dad’s ’68 Dodge Dart and moved himself to the UBC campus. After two years living at Totem Park and two at Place Vanier, he graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

“Starting with the Housing department in the summer of 1983 as a summer Service Worker, he decided to stick around while he prepared to attend the VCC music program as an electric bass player. He later held positions as a Residence Attendant, a Conference Centre Night Auditor, the Cash Office clerk, and a Quality Assurance Manager. Since 2005, he has been a Building Services Manager, most recently for Orchard Commons, Ritsumeikan-UBC House and Thunderbird.

“When he is not at work, Adrian can be found playing tunes with three different musical combos or enjoying the wilds of BC.”

— Mahara Silva, Building Services Manager, Facilities and Building Services

“Ashifa joined the UBC Bookstore in August 1983—initially as a rush cashier, but quickly moving to more exciting and responsible roles in Accounts Payable and Receivable. In addition to her role, Ashifa also organizes all the social events and activities at the bookstore.

“Originally hailing from Tanzania, Africa, her family moved to London, England and then immigrated to Canada in the mid-’70s, where she grew up in Richmond, BC.

“Meeting her husband on the dance floor, they married in 1989 and are the proud parents of two children, Alisha, who is an educator, and Anthony, who is studying to be an osteopath.

“Ashifa enjoys reading, hiking and dancing—but not necessarily in that order! She also spends a lot of time with her extended family in Vancouver, including nieces and even grandnephews who keep her young and active.”

— Margaret Tough, Director, Finance

“After a long career with Building Operations, Jack came to SHCS in 2015. Needless to say, he probably didn’t realize how much fun he was about to have!

“Over the last eight years, Jack has helped hundreds of students, faculty and staff at UBC, and he has done so with a jovial laugh and great smile. He  brings a keen attention to detail and pursuit of excellence to his work—but also his pastimes! An avid golfer and traveller, Jack loves to spend time with his family enjoying sporting events and sunny destinations as often as he can. There is a charm within Jack that truly comes to life on the first tee box under the Las Vegas sun.

“Always quick to compliment someone and to offer helpful assistance, Jack can be trusted for a quick key or lock cylinder change, early-morning conversation that somehow leaves everyone smiling and, on the links, a solid club recommendation. He is an integral part of our locksmith team here and we feel lucky to have his great personality, knowledge and experience to help us in our operations”

— Claudia Popa, Trades Manager, Facilities & Building Services