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Lina Lipscombe retires 

By Russ Cooper

On her first day as secretary to the Loyola bookstore manager in 1969, Lina Lipscombe walked through the cafeteria on her way to the bookstore, then located in the old hockey rink. Coming across a noisy sit-in of students protesting an issue of the day, "I remember walking through the many students in the cafeteria and thinking, 'this place is going to be interesting,'" she says.

The outgoing Director of Bookstores and Computer Store Lipscombe, who'll be retiring in June, says, "I'm leaving with no less passion and interest in the university and the industry than when I started."

Over her 40 years, Lipscombe has accomplished and contributed much in her myriad of duties within the bookstore; she's handled returns, overseen retail sales, been assistant manager, and manager. In 1996, she helped create a plan to fold the Computer Store into the Bookstore. Becoming Director in 2006, Lipscombe was integral to establishing Digital Stores on both campuses, creating a printing system for large jobs and advancing the availability of economical coursepacks.

She's also served on publishing industry boards, including a term as president of the Canadian Booksellers Association, with the prevalent goal of fighting to keep textbook prices accessible and flexible for students. In 1997, she went to Ottawa to oppose a portion of copyright law redefining Bill C-32 that prohibited the import of used textbooks from the U.S. Her lobbying helped remove the statute and ensured students’ access to inexpensive pre-owned books.

In April, Dean of Students Elizabeth Morey announced that the future Concordia Council on Student Life (CCSL) outstanding staff contribution award would be renamed the Lina Lipscombe staff award. (see Journal April 23, 2009.)

Even in her last days before retirement, Lipscombe continued her compassion. She announced May 26 the retail operations' Sustainable Bag initiative raised nearly $8 000 split between the student emergency/food fund and the R4 Sustainability program.

"What an opportunity I've been granted. I've grown with the university and I've learned so much. All I can say is thank you."

A celebration in honour of Lipscombe will be held 5 to 7 p.m., June 18 at the Hive.