Retired York University Professor Barrie Wilson is busier than ever. The intrepid professor who retired this year after 32 years of service in the Atkinson School of Arts & Letters has just published a new book. Titled How Jesus Became Christian, the book differs from his previous scholarly publications in that it is written for a popular audience.
Left: Retired School of Arts & Letters professors Madelyn Dick (left) and Barrie Wilson show off their York pins
Wilson said the book was always in the works and only now will he have the time to promote the book. He will embark on an ambitious book tour which will take him to synagogues and churches around the world.
Wilson, along with 23 other faculty and staff members who have recently retired from York University, were feted at a luncheon held on Sept. 11 in The Underground Restaurant on York’s Keele campus. Many of those in attendance spoke of the new opportunities they were investigating, some had returned to school to learn a new skill, while others, like Wilson, were continuing with their professional lives.
Right: York President & Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden presents a pin to Joyce Pereira who retired from the Office of the Vice-President Finance & Administration after 25 years of service
“I am told that together you have contributed 697 years of service to York University. Thank you and I am very glad to see you here today,” said York President & Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden in her welcoming remarks. Marsden then introduced the University administration, deans, associate deans and directors who were also attending the luncheon. During a ceremony, Marsden presented each person with a York gold pin.
Many of the retiring faculty and staff in attendance traded stories about their experiences since retiring. Bruce Dugelby, former treasurer of the University, spoke about his ambitious home renovation and landscaping projects. Well-known in the York community for his love of books, Dugelby is conquering his ambitious reading list.
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Above: Deans and members of York’s administration congratulate retiring faculty members on stage following the presentation of York pins |
School of Arts & Letters Professor Madelyn Dick, who is retiring after 38 years of service to the University, is planning to finish a book and take a dream trip to Sicily. Staff member Joyce Pereira, an administrative assistant who retired from the office of the Vice-President Finance & Administration after 25 years of service, has plans to pursue her interest in stained glass and will volunteer with her church.
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| Above: President Marsden (far left) joins members of York’s administration to congratulate retiring staff members |
Faculty members who attended the retirement luncheon included:
- Professor Gordon Albright, School of Analytic Studies, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies (35 years of service);
- Professor David Davies, School of Social Science, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies (40 years of service);
- Professor Madelyn Dick, School of Arts & Letters, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies (38 years of service);
- Professor Edgar Dosman, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts (36 years of service);
- Professor Carolyn Ewoldt, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Education (19 years of service);
- Professor Robert Fothergill, Department of Theatre, Faculty of Fine Arts (40 years of service);
- Professor Beverley Giblon, Writing Instructor, Centre for Academic Writing, Faculty of Arts (17 years of service);
- Professor Roger Heeler, Office of the Dean, Schulich School of Business (34 years of service);
- Professor Barrie Wilson, School of Arts & Letters, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies (32 years of service).
Staff members who attended the retirement luncheon included:
- Rima Anani, administrative assistant, Office of Persons with Disabilities (16 years of service);
- Elizabeth Brendel, section head, Treasury, Department of Finance (37 years of service);
- Dale Brown, maintenance technician, Glendon Facilities, Facilities Services (32 years of service);
- Bruce Dugelby, treasurer, Treasury, Department of Finance (40 years of service);
- Betty Hagopian, program secretary, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts (20 years of service);
- Fred Hickman, locksmith, Facilities Services (36 years of service);
- Sherma Mitchell, administrative assistant, Office of the Master, Vanier College (32 years of service);
- Karen Offer, administrative assistant, Special Events & Community Relations, Office of Ceremonials (5 years of service);
- Joyce Pereira, administrative assistant, Office of the Vice_President Finance & Administration (25 years of service);
- Marion Perry, director, student programs, Faculty of Education (28 years of service);
- Carol Randall, student affairs clerk, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies (33 years of service);
- Marian Regan, research associate, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts (17 years of service);
- Maryam Tarumian, administrative coordinator, Multimedia Language Centre, Faculty of Arts ( 23 years of service);
- Hendrik Verkamann, grounds supervisor, grounds & vehicles, Facilities Services (31 years of service);
- Albert Wolkenstein, clerical assistant, client services, Computing & Network Services (31 years of service).