More than 100 faculty, staff mark major milestones at TMU
Retired photography professor Dennis Miles, 83, is celebrated for his 51 years of service at TMU. Before retiring, he also worked in an administrative role with The Chang School of Continuing Education. (All photos by Harry Choi)
During his 51 years at TMU, to say that retired photography professor Dennis Miles gave his students some pretty cool assignments is an understatement.
“I took photos of the Toronto Maple Leafs in evenings and weekends back then,” Miles said. “Many times I would bring some of my students with me.”
On Sept. 12, Miles was one of 137 TMU employees and faculty recognized at the Celebration of Long Service Milestones event, which took place at the Sears Atrium in the George Vari Engineering Building.
TMU community members came together to honour those who have been working at the university for 25, 30, 35, 40, 45+ years.
The gathering opened with remarks from Jenny O’Donnell, chief human resources officer, and president and vice-chancellor of the university, Mohamed Lachemi.
“Every time we celebrate our long-service employees, it is a special occasion. However, this year has something extra - because we are also celebrating our university’s 75th anniversary,” said President Lachemi.
“That means all of our 25 Year Club inductees have been here for one-third of the university’s entire history. And our milestone honorees, with 40 or more years, have been here for more than half,” he continued.
“Our large cohort of dedicated employees with this kind of experience and history, is one of our great strengths,” he said.
One of the 50+ year-honourees was Miles.
“I’ve been at the university almost my whole life,” said the 83-year-old Mississauga resident, who began as a student in the photography studies program and graduated in 1963.
From that point onward, he began teaching the craft he loved.
He says the shift to digital was one of the most seismic changes in the industry - along with cell phones.
“It totally changed for me when camera phones started,” he said. “Suddenly, everyone’s cameras and photos were in their hands. The quality got better and better. People who weren’t photographers could be. Plus, you could keep taking pictures until you got what you wanted. With film, you had to be more selective.”
“Looking back, the camaraderie with the students was the best part of the job,” he said.
Arne Kislenko, centre, is recognized for 25 years of teaching at TMU. The history professor says his students are the highlight of his career.
‘An honour and a privilege’
History professor Arne Kislenko - who’s marking 25 years in the classroom - agrees.
“It’s corny, but it’s true - it’s the students,” he said, explaining that he was once at a hot spring in Iceland when, out of the blue, he was approached by a student he’d taught 20 years earlier who said how much he’d enjoyed his course.
“It's such an honour and a privilege to get to teach,” Kislenko said. “The students are so curious, they’re forgiving, and they’re so much fun to work with.”
“You're left feeling like, ‘What an honour’. I’ve been part of so many different lives, hopefully not scarring them forever,” he joked.
Looking back over the years, Kislenko said that 9/11 has been one of the most memorable topics to teach, and that the current conflict in the Ukraine has been interesting to discuss since it’s unfolding in real time.
Catherina Hui, who works at the TMU Bookstore, says she’s proud to have witnessed TMU transform “into a world class university” over her 35 years at the institution.
Colleagues are ‘like family’
Customer service clerk Catherina Hui was also recognized at the event for her 35 years with the institution.
What’s meant the most to her after all of this time?
“My colleagues at TMU Bookstore. Many of them have worked with me for close to 30 years. Together, we’ve experienced all the ups and downs of the store. Many of them are like my family,” she said.
Hui adds that she’s proud to have “witnessed the transformation of TMU” - starting from a polytechnic institute to what is now a “world class university”.
Anna Tassone, centre, who has been working at TMU for 35 years, says some of her colleagues are now like family.
Celebrating her 35-year milestone with the institution is the Library’s Anna Tassone, assistant to the chief librarian. She says seeing the university grow into what it is today has been remarkable.
“From the ‘little polytechnical institute that could’ to graduate programs, a law school and even a medical school. As much as the university has grown and changed since I started, it continues to have a tight community feel which is one thing I value most about being here,” she said.
Like her colleagues above, she says it’s the people who have meant the most.
“Over the years, many of my colleagues have been my teachers, my friends and some I consider part of my family,” she said.
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