McMaster is “in his blood”

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Hedden_Mike.jpg” caption=”Mike Hedden’s retirement party will be held on Thursday, June 28 at the University Club, Great Hall. Photo by Chantall Van Raay.”]It's been nearly 50 years since the days Mike Hedden and his brothers played tag among the trees on McMaster's campus, waiting for their father to finish work.

This week, he retires from McMaster, the university that has essentially been his life.

It began in the 1950s. His father, D.M. (Mike) Hedden, who started at McMaster as assistant to Harry Thode and was later vice-president administration, laid the groundwork for his son.

With a bachelor of science and an honorary degree from McMaster, as well as a residence named in his honour, D.M. Hedden inspired Mike to enroll at McMaster in the late 1960s, eventually obtaining a bachelor's degree in geography in 1970 and an MBA in 1976.

As a student, Hedden met his wife, Annelie, to whom he proposed on a bench in front of the Ivor Wynne Building. They married in the Divinity College chapel in 1969.

In 1971, Hedden began working at McMaster as a co-op student in the Office of Institutional Research. Before long, he was hired full-time on a project that involved a costing study with other universities. He was promoted to senior analyst, strategic studies in the Office of Planning and Analysis, to work on studies related to funding and resource allocation and providing advice to the president and senior management.

In addition, he has been McMaster's representative to the Committee on Planning and Analysis at the Council of Ontario Universities and has served as McMaster's representative to the G13, as well as associate director of the Office of Planning and Analysis upon Wilf Ward's retirement in 2005.

“I have so many fond memories of working in the Office of Planning and Analysis,” Hedden says. “The workload was always challenging and usually came with ridiculous time constraints — especially from government — but we found time for fun, and there was much laughter. I must admit that the best memories are associated with the fantastic people I worked with over the last 35 years. There are so many wonderful people at this university and this was such a dynamic environment in which to work.”

Hedden leaves McMaster with a heavy heart, but looks forward to spending more time with his wife, travelling, working on household projects, digitizing his many photographs and volunteering. He won't leave McMaster entirely, however.

Starting July 9, Hedden will be in the office for three days a week over the summer to work with the provost on a program prioritization review and also to assist the Office of Planning and Analysis before a replacement is found.

Hedden's last official day is Thursday, June 28, the same day of his retirement party at the University Club, Great Hall. It will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are invited.