U of R says goodbye to its longest serving employee

Posted: January 10, 2013 3:00 p.m.

This winter the University of Regina bids a fond farewell to its longest serving employee, Department of History secretary Marilyn Bickford, as she retires from the University after more than forty-eight years of service.

Marilyn began working at the College Avenue campus directly out of high school, ten years before the University of Regina even existed as an independent institution – previously the Regina campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Nearly five decades later she is still overseeing the smooth administrative running of the Department of History. Marilyn has seen her fair share of change these past forty-eight years, including the transition from stencils, dittos and typewriters to the fully computerized workplace – not to mention the extraordinary expansion of the University campus and student population.

In the face of constant change, Marilyn has provided the kind of dedicated service that speaks volumes about her commitment to this University – and all with her trademark tenacity and spirit. Remarks U of R President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons, ”It is impossible to sum up such a dedicated career in a few words, but when one thinks of all the faculty members, students and colleagues Marilyn has helped over the years, suffice it to say she has taken the University’s motto – ‘As One Who Serves’ – and made it her own. For that reason, the University community owes Marilyn a great debt.” 

As Marilyn prepares to depart for the greener pastures of retirement, she will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends. We wish her nothing but the best as she begins this new and exciting chapter of her life.