Ian Park's Retirement Celebration

Celebrating 29 Years of Service

Ian Park’s retirement marks a truly momentous milestone for St John’s College after 29 years as Food Services Manager. Over nearly three decades, Ian’s leadership transformed the Daily Bread Café and Soup4U into beloved campus destinations, widely recognized for offering some of the best food at the University of Manitoba. His kitchen consistently provided residents with meals that were delicious, nutritious, and culturally diverse, thoughtfully reflecting the wide range of backgrounds and dietary needs within our community.

Ian also led a significant expansion of St John’s catering operations, establishing the College as a preferred host for campus and community events. This growth not only strengthened our sense of community and expanded the St John’s brand, but also played a critical role in sustaining the College through the financial challenges of the pandemic.

A Johnian at heart, his family's ties to the College span generations, with his grandparents, aunties and uncles, and his own children all having been members of the St John’s College community.

In countless ways, Ian’s dedication, leadership, and genuine love for St John’s College have nourished both our bodies and the greater community. We invite all those who have worked with Ian, shared meals prepared under his care, and been part of the College community to join us in celebrating his remarkable legacy and wishing him well in his retirement.

Endowment Fund

In honour of Ian's extraordinary service and lifelong connection to St John's College, we are proud to establish the Ian Park Endowment Fund. The initiative supported by this fund will be guided by Ian's wishes, ensuring the endowment reflects the values and care he brought to the College. 

Those wishing to contribute to the Ian Park Endowment Fund are invited to contact Jackie.Markstrom@umanitoba.ca