After working at the U of A for 39 years, Don Barnett, IT Services systems specialist, retired on Feb. 28, 2022.

Barnett has been a part of almost every information system deployment, including the maintenance and retirement of the mainframe. Through his work, he supported students with systems like SAFARI and OASIS, as well as business and financial administration with MSA, BASIS and many other applications. 

Since the start of his career on campus, Barnett served under six directors/CIOs of IT Services, formerly Computing Services.

 "I'd like to say a special thanks to the teams I've been a part of while at the university and all those I've worked with both within IT Services and across the university community," Barnett said.

"During his service to the university, Barnett's contributions advanced the institution in many key areas, most recently in support of human resources and financial services administrative applications," Don Ussery, associate CIO, said. "Barnett's expertise will be missed by the organization and by the people who had the privilege to work with him."

"Don worked many nights and weekends behind the scenes so the business of the university could function, and he always offered his assistance cheerfully and generously," Paul Bixby, Workday finance coordinator, said. "He was always there, making sure the mainframe and BASIS had an up time of 99 percent, which is very difficult to achieve. He has served this campus well and faithfully, and he has earned every minute of retired life!"