With an impressive 42 years of dedicated service at the University of Alberta, Robert Gora, general maintenance foreman with VP University Services, Operations and Finance, has overseen countless projects at the University of Alberta and helped ensure U of A facilities operated smoothly – earning him a reputation for excellence and steadfast commitment. Outside of work, Robert is a passionate music DJ, who enjoys spending time with his family and two Pomsky dogs, going on walks/runs and watching movies.
What is your first U of A memory?
When I started at the University of Alberta at age 16 in 1982, I was wondering how I would ever figure out the lay of North Campus. It was like a “wow” experience learning how to get from one building to another.
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
I am a DJ with over 32 years of experience and have done over 1,000 events. I still do weddings, school dances, Christmas parties, team parties, company parties and fundraisers all over Alberta. And I am currently the DJ for some University of Alberta Golden Bears (hockey and football) and Pandas (hockey) games.
What’s your favourite distraction?
Doing my early morning walk/run helps me to forget the realities around me and reset. The second is going to the movies. If I'm not busy doing my DJing there's nothing like going to the movie theater and enjoying the experience.
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
I would enroll in the Department of Music, Faculty of Arts. I would immerse myself in intensive study, explore music through arts courses or study abroad to discover different sonic worlds.
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
The progressive rock band Rush. Their innovative spirit and enigmatic personalities would surely elevate any dinner conversation.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
There are many: Rush, The Beatles, Queen, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
“Tomorrow is another day!”
Or, put another way, “you have your whole life ahead of you. Don't be so impatient. Succeed or fail today, tomorrow will always bring fresh promise and the opportunity to start over.”
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
My family Lucy, Patrick, Alexi and Abigail as well as my two Pomsky dogs, Barkley and Finley.
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Inspiring, exciting and opportunities.
Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives you are looking forward to at work?
I plan to find opportunities for improvement, address, prevent problems, and overall, be proactive. I started having one-on-one meetings with staff and will start having monthly toolbox meetings starting in September.
