Theresa Calverly plans to spend her retirement reading and reconnecting with friends.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will say goodbye to one of its longest standing staff members, Theresa Calverly, at the end of 2019. Theresa has been the administrative assistant to the department for the past 12 years.
"I really enjoy working in the department," she says. "Everyone here is so unique and so special."
Theresa started at the university in 1992, in the Faculty of Medicine, as assistant to the director of neurology.
After that position, Theresa returned to England for a year and worked at University College London in the Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology.
Upon her return to Edmonton, Theresa worked for the then Dean of the Faculty of Business, Mike Percy.
"Everyone knew Mike and everyone loved him. He was great to work for."
Upon Dr. Percy's retirement, Theresa joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
"My job is very busy and I give it a lot of my time and energy. But it gives back so much. It's been wonderful working with people from such diverse cultures and backgrounds. The atmosphere is always very warm and there's always so much humour."
Theresa contributes to the humour in the department as well.
"Since her arrival, Theresa has been integral to the department, assisting four different department chairs during times of considerable change. I have been exceptionally fortunate to have had her experience, steady hand and good humour by my side," says department chair, Ivan Fair.
Professor Mojgan Daneshmand remembers how much Theresa helped her when she was new to the department.
"When I started she was my go-to person to understand everything I needed to do and to learn how to do. She really takes time to listen and answer your questions. She's lovely and always smiling."
After retirement, Theresa plans to catch up on her reading and spend more time with friends, both here and in the UK.
"Of course, everyone's in touch with their friends through social media, but I actually want to spend time with my friends. It's hard to see old friends because it takes so much time to get to them in the northern UK. But now I'll have to time to get there and we can really reconnect."
Theresa's friends in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering know how lucky her old friend will be to see her again and we wish her all the best in her retirement.