VIU honours long service employees

Wayne Hiles and Jane Cole know all about significant milestones. They are celebrating their 35th anniversary with the same employer.

Cole and Hiles were among 104 employees recognized for their dedication and commitment at Vancouver Island University’s Long Service Awards celebration this week. Employees completing 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of employment received framed plaques and kudos from the university.

“Our dedicated employees have been and continue to be our most valuable resource,” said President Ralph Nilson. “I thank all our employees for sharing their collective talents to work together, support our students and build on VIU’s success.”

Nilson said the Long Service Awards is one of many celebrations VIU will host this year as the institution marks 75 years of post-secondary education. He said employee contributions have helped the institution evolve from its origins in automotive training to Malaspina College, Malaspina University-College and finally Vancouver Island University.

Hiles and Cole both began their careers with VIU (formerly Malaspina College) in 1974.

Cole, a faculty member in Arts and Humanities, teaches art, painting, art history and drawing. She has supported art students not only in studios and classrooms but also in promoting their work to the broader community through the annual Student Art and Design sale. She has also provided memorable experiences to countless students and community members through study abroad programs in Europe.

“Jane has enriched the arts community in many ways,” said Nilson. “One of the most notable was celebrating the work of E.J. Hughes. Jane knew Hughes personally and was able to offer a unique perspective on this great Canadian artist when she curated the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s highly successful 2009 summer exhibition, E.J. Hughes: the Man and his Art.”

Over the years, Cole has also served as department Chair, Curator and Director of the Nanaimo Art Gallery.

Hiles’ career at VIU has been strongly tied to its evolution. He was employed as a general grounds and building maintenance worker for Greenless Contracting in the early 1970s when Malaspina College leased property on Kennedy Street. In September 1975, Hiles started work at Malaspina’s new campus “on the hill” (5th Street). He worked his way up from maintenance worker to supervisor to manager. While his current is challenging at times, Hiles considers VIU his second home.

Thirty-year employees include Holly Blackburn, Bill Clark, Zoe Dams and Collin MacQuarrie, while Jane Andrews, Josephine Chong, Bill Hohman, Dan Light and Alison O’Beirne received 25-year certificates.

Clark and Chong met and fell in love while working at VIU. Clark is a multi-media technician for the Information and Technology department while Chong is secretary for the Culinary Arts department.

“It is hard to believe that 30 years have slipped by, but I feel proud,” said Clark. Asked what he likes best about his job, Clark said, “people. I work with great folks. The job continues to evolve and there is no greater reward than to help someone when there is a classroom problem.”

“I’ve seen a lot of comings and goings but I am proud that I have reached the 25-year mark in the same department,” said Chong.

“My passion is cooking and I’m in a job that allows me to enjoy every moment. It is a joy to watch fresh-faced kids change to confident culinary artists and our program is recognized internationally for its excellence due to the high calibre of our Chefs.”

Thirty-year employee Zoe Dams said it’s been rewarding to see the growth of Nursing programs at VIU and working in partnership with colleges and the University of Victoria. For Dams, career highlights including working abroad for the department in India, Nepal and now Ghana. “But the real highlight is my day-to-day work with our bright, optimistic, keen students.”