草莓污视频导航

Gary Wright
Gary Wright on the job in Kinesiology.

Oct. 26, 2022

Long-serving caretaker takes pride in his work

Gary Wright began his career at 草莓污视频导航 almost fifty years ago

It happens every year. People return to campus in the fall and there鈥檚 always something different: small renovation projects have taken place, larger projects have been completed (all hail the return of the Prairie Chicken!), and of course, the students, faculty and staff are on campus (some returning, some first-timers), all looking a little dazed in those first few weeks.

Isn鈥檛 it nice to come across a familiar, smiling face for the reassurance that you鈥檙e right where you belong?

Anyone who鈥檚 been on the 草莓污视频导航 campus for any length of time has more than likely crossed paths with Gary Wright, a caretaker who began his career at 草莓污视频导航 almost 50 years ago. And for those in the Kinesiology complex, Gary鈥檚 been a key member of the support staff from more than a decade.

鈥淕ary Wright is a long-time energetic staff member of the 草莓污视频导航, who started working with us on June 15, 1974. Through his eyes he has seen the growth of the Faculty of Kinesiology where he has worked for most of his years,鈥 says Dr. Raylene Reimer, PhD, kinesiology鈥檚 interim dean. 鈥淕ary, we thank you for your dedication over all these years.鈥

Early years

Gary comes from a military family, and when his father retired from the Air Force, he took a position at 草莓污视频导航 in Campus Security. Gary, who was just finishing high school, followed suit and took a weekend job on the caretaking staff at the newly built Mac Hall and in Science A. And that鈥檚 when his career at 草莓污视频导航 began.

He鈥檚 moved around the campus a bit and remembers all the buildings in which he鈥檚 worked, including a few standouts. He reflects on the changing face of the university; he recalls working in the Olympic Oval during the 1988 Winter Olympics, when he was called to help out with caretaking of the facility during its global debut. Little did he know he鈥檇 return to Kinesiology and the Oval as his permanent assignment.

鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting to get to know these people, the students and the athletes and coaches,鈥 he says. And each year he looks forward  to seeing the newest undergrads and the returning students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see the students every day,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e always pleasant.鈥

Dedication

For Gord Peavy, interim manager of operations for the Faculty of Kinesiology, having an employee like Gary lifts the entire team. When he began his duties in February, he says Gary stood out right off the bat. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the hardest worker we have here. We鈥檙e lucky to have a worker like Gary.鈥

鈥淗e leads by example,鈥 says Peavy. 鈥淗e goes above and beyond, does everything that鈥檚 asked of him and sometimes comes in and asks to do more.鈥

The most difficult time in his years at 草莓污视频导航? Gary doesn鈥檛 skip a beat. 鈥淭he pandemic. I was away from campus for six months. I painted my entire house, even the ceilings.鈥

Peavy can understand Gary鈥檚 frustration with being away that long, especially after such a long career at 草莓污视频导航. 鈥淭he university fosters  community. It makes people want to work here and develops relationships among employees.鈥

Gary says it鈥檚 that sense of community, along with the work ethic he learned from his father, that keeps him on the job. 鈥淚鈥檝e got the mentality that you鈥檝e got to work like your life depends on it,鈥 he says.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the perfect place to work. I couldn鈥檛 work in a better place. You鈥檙e looked after.鈥

And the job? 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun.鈥