Sandra Van Zetten, Keith Taylor, Ron Barron, and Gayle MacKenzieSandra Van Zetten, Keith Taylor, Ron Barron, and Gayle MacKenzie were celebrated for 40 years of service to the University of Windsor at a reception Wednesday.

Reception honours employees for decades of service

Things have changed since he first set foot on campus, says math professor Ron Barron.

“This feels more like a university now,” says Dr. Barron, one of seven UWindsor employees honoured for 40 years of service at a breakfast reception Wednesday in the CAW Student Centre.

He marvels at the investment in infrastructure over the intervening period, with beautiful new buildings and walkways that differentiate the University from the surrounding neighbourhood: “Walking through, you get the feeling that you’re on a campus.”

It is a theme echoed by Gayle MacKenzie. The residence admissions secretary also dates her UWindsor employment to 1976.

“I would have to say the biggest change since I started is the development of the buildings and growth of the campus,” she says.

Vice-president of human resources Rita LaCivita highlighted years of change, citing campus news, political developments, and cultural touchstones from the dates of hire of each class of employees recognized Wednesday — 87 reaching 10 years of service, 11 attaining 20 years of service, 23 at 30 years, and seven passing the 40-year mark.

Honorees received a certificate acknowledging their years of service and a gift of appreciation.