Dr. Warren Gill, Vice-President, University Relations at SFU, passed away this week. His legacy can be found in the buildings that are home to Simon Fraser, clustered around Hastings Street, east of Granville. He helped give Vancouver a significant educational institution in its core – a necessity for any great city.
A Vancouver native with a PhD in urban geography from the University of British Columbia, Dr. Gill joined Simon Fraser University in 1977 and quickly became a champion for the creation of a downtown Vancouver campus. He was intimately involved in all stages of that development, which grew from the original Harbour Centre complex to include the Wosk Centre for Dialogue, the Segal Graduate School of Business, and most recently SFU Woodward’s.
A popular teacher and senior administrator, Dr. Gill was also committed to serving the larger community: He was a frequent media commentator on urban and transportation issues, and held volunteer positions at a variety of organizations including the Vancouver Academy of Music, the Downtown Vancouver Association, and the Economic Leadership Council for Greater Vancouver.
A fan of classic rock and R&B, Dr. Gill frequently performed with the local band, Wager. His many friends and colleagues will treasure the memories of his tremendous energy and enthusiasm as well as his great sense of fun.
We mourn his loss.
