In memoriam: Gloria Zahara

On February 22nd, Gloria Zahara a long-standing AUFA member for 30 years passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 63. Gloria joined AUFA in 1991 working in AU course production through a variety of roles, ultimately moving to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences until her retirement in 2019. An Athabasca resident, Gloria was a familiar and welcome face to all of us who have a long history with AU.

Her obituary is posted here, with details on a celebration of life at the Athabasca Missionary Church, and a space for Donations in her memory to Healing Hearts Inc.

AUFA extends its profound condolences to her family and colleagues.

Dr. Henry Tsang awarded the Construction Canada Emerging Leader Award

Athabasca University architecture professor, Dr. Henry Tsang, is the recipient of the 2021 Construction Canada Emerging Leader Award in two categories: the 'Leadership Award' and the overall best 'Juror's Choice Award'!

The winners of Construction Canada’s 3rd annual Emerging Leader Awards were announced at the Buildings Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 3.

The awards, presented by Engineered Assemblies, honour members of the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) community who demonstrate excellence, impress and inspire their co-workers, and are well on their way to becoming the next leaders in the profession.

Thank you Construction Canada and Engineered Assemblies for this recognition!

If you would like to submit news related to AUFA members whether it be new arrivals, departures, or significant events please submit them to aufahq@aufa.ca along with a picture for our blog post.

In memoriam: Dr. Tony Simmons

Tony giving a talk in 2006 on Canada’s role in Afghanistan

On December 8th, Tony Simmons, an AUFA member for 40 years, passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Tony joined AU in 1981 after completing his PhD in sociology at the University of Alberta.

 Tony was a gifted scholar, with his most recent book, Restless Ideas: Contemporary Social Theory in an Anxious Age having been published by Fernwood Press in 2020. He dedicated much time to the education of incarcerated persons.

 Tony had a life-long passion for social justice. He was opposed to militarism, racial profiling, detentions without trial, and to the legislative suppression of civil liberties in Canada. He had proudly been arrested several times for unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, contempt of court and criminal trespass. He was also a regular on AUFA picket lines.

There is a nice part interview with Tony in the Voice (Part 1, Part 2) that conveys his honesty and humility. One of Tony’s most endearing qualities was his self-deprecating sense of humour. As was his way, we’ll give Tony the last word on himself with a few quotes from his online faculty profile.

Tony Simmons is a junior member of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and has pursued a troubled and an undistinguished career at Athabasca University since 1981.

His favorite pastimes include existential self- reflection (aka “navel-gazing”), mountain backpacking, jogging, and competitive recreational drinking.

He has two failed marriages to his credit and an unconsummated relationship with a cat named Chairman Miaow. He continues in an uphill struggle to align his personal practice with his political theory.

 

Rest in Power, Tony.