Dynamo steps down
Associate Director (Protocol and Events) Pierrette Lucas flanked by President Claude Lajeunesse (left) outgoing Chancellor Eric Molson, and incoming Chancellor David O’Brien in the Green Room of Place des Arts before the spring convocation ceremony of 2006, when O’Brien was installed.
file photo
Pierrette Lucas, the university’s protocol officer, has thrown her last party at Concordia. The energetic Lucas is moving on, but she leaves behind an impressive list of events.
They include four sets of convocation ceremonies, including appearances by a governor-general and a former prime minister; the openings of two new buildings; a gala fundraiser with opera stars and dancing; long-service receptions, presentations of medals and awards, and more cocktail receptions than you can shake a swizzle stick at.
What she remembers especially are “the excitement every spring and fall before convocation ceremonies.”
“The Office of Protocol is responsible for the wellbeing of recipients of honorary degrees. It is an opportunity for professors and graduating students to meet and listen to such people as Shirin Ebadi, Daniel Langlois, and Adrienne Clarkson, so it’s challenging to make sure that their time spent with the Concordia community is memorable.”
Lucas will also take with her a vivid memory of the opening of the Richard Renaud Science Complex, with Premier Jean Charest in attendance.
“It was the first big multi-disciplinary event that gave me the opportunity to work with so many people within the university. We became a team. The expertise and confidence we gained from each other led to the highly visible, successful three days of events marking the installation of a new president.”
Lucas organized one of the most enjoyable book launches the city has seen in years when a biography of Sir William Hingston evoked speeches by Brian Mulroney, then prime minister Paul Martin, Mayor Gérald Tremblay and former premier Daniel Johnson, all because of the involvement in the project of Irish-Canadian fundraiser Brian Gallery. Working with him was “challenging and . . . interesting!”
The secret to being a successful protocol officer? “People and management skills. Listening. Being responsive. Balancing ‘precedence’ with circumstances. Common sense and a sense of humour.”
She has fond memories of the tribute she organized for outgoing president Frederick Lowy at the Old Port, and wants to express her gratitude to him and his wife, Mary Kay, for their friendship and support.
She also wants to acknowledge a deluge of email from admirers around the university. One called her “energetic, frothy and inspirational.” Other attributes were “honesty” and “aplomb.” A colleague called her “a human dynamo, bristling with energy and optimism. What an amazing rollercoaster ride you’ve been on!”