Photo Courtesy / Peter Yung

This past August, UTSC parted ways with two of its most beloved and recognizable staff members, the Department of Student Life’s Drew Dudley and Stacey Platt.

Dudley was the former co-ordinator of Leadership Development and pioneer of the hugely successful Leadership Development Program, while Platt was the former co-ordinator of International Student Programs and Services at the International Student Centre (ISC).

Dozens of students, volunteers and well-wishers showed up to a hastily organized farewell function for both on Aug. 6. Many were nostalgic as they recounted their favourite memories of each, and some got emotional as they paid tribute to the dedication of the departing pair.

“It’s like a double-whammy,” said Zahra Murji, VP Students and Equity of the Scarborough Campus Student Union. “To lose two icons of student life is like losing family. It’s a tremendous loss.”

Dudley, a household name on campus, was instrumental in making the Leadership Development Program one of the most dynamic and successful programs at UTSC. The program has been rapidly expanding, boasting of dozens of renowned speakers, guest lecturers and life coaches during the three years he has been a part of it.

Dudley, however, refuses to take full credit for the program’s success.

“The fact is, it wasn’t us [the staff] that drove the growth of the program – it was the interest from the UTSC community. We simply reacted to try to accommodate the support this campus was willing to show,” he said.

He leaves to pursue a career as a professional motivational and leadership lecturer. He will be speaking at the prestigious TedX conference on September 30, a campaign that was enthusiastically supported by students.

Platt is best known for her energetic lectures and information sessions, and is synonymous with the tremendous growth of international student programs over the past two years. She leaves UTSC to join the Mississauga campus to pilot a new International Student Centre.

Students and former co-workers of the two were overflowing with praise and sadness at their departure.

“Now that Stacey is gone, we are truly realizing just what we have lost,” said Nive Thambithurai, a recent graduate and assistant co-ordinator of programs at the ISC. “The energy and passion that Stacey gave to her work, even in the most demanding circumstances, will be incredibly difficult to match.”

She lauded Platt’s contribution to the ISC’s increased collaboration with other departments and organizations on campus, as well as her tremendous contribution to the improvement of campus life for international students.

Arjune Selvarajan was equally complimentary of Dudley.

“Drew was a staple at this campus, a true favourite and a great contributor to student life at UTSC,” said Selvarajan, a fifth-year student and lead designer for the Department of Student Life.

Hamza Khan, the co-ordinator of Development Projects and Promotions at the Department of Student Life, was outspoken when asked about both individuals.

“Those two are real rockstars, they had a huge fan following on this campus,” Khan pointed out. “[Platt] really enabled students for success, she invested all of energy into the ISC, and this made it so much better.”

Of Dudley, Khan alluded to his incredible sense of humor, and the nature of his contributions to students.

“He’s what I would call a ‘humorous realist,’ and a real servant; he was instrumental in helping students break pre-conceived notions of the values of their university degrees,” said Khan. “He inspired many students on a personal level.”

Leaving UTSC is a bittersweet moment for Dudley.

“I’m sad to be leaving the campus that gave me the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what it was I wanted to do and be as a professional. At the same time, I’m thrilled to be able to explore new opportunities to create the sort of dynamic programming,” said Dudley. “It’s time for new challenges, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter will bring.”