The Odette School of Business’ newly renovated MBA student lounge was renamed the Sue Skrobiak MBA Lounge on Nov. 29 to honour program secretary Sue Skrobiak, who died in 2018 after a 40-year career of service to students and the faculty of business.

A fundraising campaign to reflect her legacy funded the Sue Skrobiak Award for Excellence and the refurbishment of the MBA lounge. Led by past dean Mitch Fields, as well as Dave Bussière, Gerry Kerr, Lisa Fransen, John Mihalo, and Kelly Gosselin, the campaign was buoyed by the support of Skrobiak’s family, friends, colleagues, and Odette MBA alumni.

Dr. Kerr said the unveiling of the lounge is five years of work in commemoration.

“A committee, regardless of its devotion, can only go so far and dream so big,” he said. “Thank you to those that donated; you are the reason we are here today.”

Skrobiak’s husband John Skrobiak, daughters Amie Mandal and Melissa Skrobiak, and son-in-law Bijan Mandal were present for the ceremony, which included a ribbon cutting and the unveiling of a donor wall and hand-painted artwork commemorating Skrobiak. The ceremony also included recognition of the 2023 Sue Skrobiak Award for Excellence MBA Partner, Martha Reavley, for her leadership, empowerment, and innovation.

John Skrobiak said the ceremony was a fitting tribute for his late wife: “I was blessed to have her in my life and all these kids were blessed to have her too.”

Ashish Mahajan, interim dean of the Odette School of Business, said “Sue was truly a transformational employee to the business faculty and to the MBA program.”

Home furnishing company Tepperman’s provided support and design of the lounge.

—Sienna Ducharme