Earlier this month, Ron Barron shared his intent to retire from Emily Carr University, and it is with blended feelings I share the news with you.

For 27 years, Ron has been an integral part of Emily Carr University, and seen various evolutions of the technology teams which have now morphed into IT Services. Ron’s contributions to the success of our department, including his deep knowledge of day-to-day university operations, will be sorely missed.

Ron began his excursion with ECU as a photography student in 1979, 27 years prior to becoming a computer technician at the Granville Island campus. Some of his early accomplishments included the establishment of ECU’s first computer lab network and curriculum server, and implementing campus-wide student printing facilities.

Ron has also managed the university's IT Capital projects, software and hardware resources, and lease agreements, while training staff members, during which sessions he transmits his vast institutional and professional knowledge to employees.

Eventually, Ron took on a leadership role as Client Services Manager, where he established the Digital Output Centre, the IT Help Desk, and partnered with Adobe to introduce Adobe Creative Cloud to students, staff, and faculty.

While Ron will be remembered fondly by us for his dedication and perseverance during the Great Northern Way campus-planning and provisioning (among many other initiatives), I am deeply thankful for his continued commitment to building a great Client Services team.

As a small token of our gratitude for Ron’s years of contribution we will be hosting a virtual/in-person event in November (more information coming soon). You are invited to attend and share any memories or messages for Ron.

It has been my great pleasure to work with Ron, and this sentiment is shared across the IT Services department as well as across campus. While I am saddened to see him go, I am sure his retirement will be defined by the same success and happiness he so clearly exemplified during his time at ECU. 

Gratefully,

Sandeep Sidhu