Image of Christine Lowther at her retiral partyThe University said farewell to Christine Lowther last week...the UofG's Director of Student Services. An informal gathering was held in the Ferguson Room to celebrate her career and service.

Christine has been with the University of Glasgow since 1988. She began her career at the University of Sheffield. Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary, Dr David Duncan, said: "She has made a huge difference to the quality of the student experience on campus.  In terms of building projects, there are several major buildings on campus that bear her imprint: the Fraser Building which brought together a whole range of different services in a user-friendly building and a place where students can relax; the extension of the Stevenson complex which transformed our sports facilities for both students and staff; and of course the early work on the Learning and Teaching Hub and the recent refurbishment of the University Library during which she chaired the working group. There are really concrete, lasting legacies to her work here."

Dr Duncan also paid tribute to her work with the University Chaplain, Stuart MacQuarrie, in handling difficult and sometimes heart-breaking student support cases. He said it was a testamant to the commitment and calibre of both colleagues. 

In summing up, Dr Duncan said: "Christine's co-workers can simply not speak highly enough of her. As one of them said to me: 'She is not only a great manager but she is a lovely person who has become a very good friend to many of us.'"

"Similarly, outside of Glasgow Christine has an enviable reputation for networking and collaboration which has greatly benefited our reputation as a university."

Passionate

In response, Christine reminisced about her early days at the University of Glasgow.  Her interview had been on 18 November 1987.  When she arrived to start work in the Registrar's Office, graduation parchments were still signed individually - in fountain pen - by the Principal, the Clerk of Senate and the Dean of Faculty...requring many journeys with boxes of parchments around the various offices in the run up to graduations!

She concluded by thanking the many people she had worked with during her own journey through the University, including a handful who had been with her when she started work in the late 80s who are still working at Gilmorehill. Christine said: "It has been a real privilege to work with staff who are so committed to - and passionate about - what they do. Thank you to all of you for all your support and friendship over the years. I am looking forward to the new journeys ahead of me in retirement but I will miss you and I hope to keep in touch. I wish you all the very best for the exciting journey ahead for the University over the next few years."  

One of the highlights of Christine's retiral party was the cake produced by Hospitality Services, which continued the theme of Christine's love of travel.

 

 

 

 

First published: 16 November 2017

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