Gary Glade is retiring from his role as the Tech Support Team Manager for the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences after more than two decades of dedicated service.
Over the years, Glade not only shaped the college’s technological landscape, but also left an indelible mark on the lives of those he worked with. His commitment to supporting the technology needs of faculty, staff, and students has been instrumental in creating a culture of collaboration and service.
One of Glade's most significant contributions has been his role as a mentor to the many student employees he worked with throughout his career. For Glade, the opportunity to guide and teach students was one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.
“During my time here, I got to help them learn a little bit about life—and computers, of course,” says Glade. “It was just fun. If I’m going to miss anything, it will be them.”
His impact on these students extended beyond the technical skills they gained. Many speak of Glade’s ability to offer guidance, support, and a kind word during stressful moments — qualities that are often just as important as solving a technical problem. His legacy as a mentor will remain a cornerstone of his time at the university.
Glade’s influence extended to his colleagues as well. His positive attitude and calm demeanor helped create an environment where collaboration thrived, even in the face of challenges. His ability to maintain a sense of humor and composure in stressful situations made him a beloved figure across the college.
“Gary has a wonderful laugh and smile, and he shares them liberally,” says Kelly Patterson, political science professor and previous supervisor of Glade. “When a computer crashes or some other mishap occurs, Gary brought the laugh and the smile to help calm the situation.”
Anne Ure, a director of the Child and Family Studies Laboratory, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Glade’s dedication to excellent customer service and his willingness to go above and beyond for those he supported.
“I’ve known Gary since he began working at BYU, and he has been an incredible addition to the university,” Ure says. “In my area specifically, he was always driven to provide the best customer service he could. No matter how small the task, Gary would work and keep problem-solving until he could either teach us how to fix the problem or until the problem was completely solved.”
Ure continues, “I loved that Gary not only reacted to our needs, but would touch base, taking our temperature, so to speak, periodically in the school year to check and see how things were going.”
Glade’s approach to tech support was not simply about resolving issues; it was about building relationships, offering a listening ear, and ensuring that everyone — students, faculty, and staff — felt supported and valued. Many will recall his years of “Wednesday’s Inspirational Story” emails — that sometimes came on Thursdays — and his email signature with the George Carlin quote: “I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me — they’re cramming for their final exam.”
As he steps into retirement, Glade leaves behind a legacy of excellence, kindness, and dedication. We’re grateful for the countless ways he helped shape a culture of service in the college and wish him well as he has more time to spend on his life-long pursuit of preparing for his final exam.