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General Manager George Proper Retires
By Johnny George
USCA President
After forty-three years with the USCA, George Proper retired from his position as our General Manager in April.
George joined the USCA when he first came to Berkeley, moving into Barrington Hall in 1964. He also lived at Cloyne Court and Northside Apartments while completing his degree in business. After joining the USCA staff in 1968 as Assistant General Manager, George concurrently attended Berkeley’s Graduate School of Business.
George served eight years as Operations Manager and was hired as General Manager in 1978. During his tenure, George oversaw the USCA’s expansion to its current 1,264 member occupancy in 17 room and board houses and three apartment complexes surrounding the campus.
George says of his 38 years serving the USCA, “I feel greatly privileged to have worked for so long for such a worthwhile organization. I feel fortunate to have served thousands of students, board members and officers over the years.” Having worked with literally hundreds of presidents and vice presidents, George is not someone we will easily replace. Among his many strengths he has been extremely popular among the students, staff and alumni.
Current Rochdale resident Isaac Lopez considers George a friend and a mentor. “I met George for the first time my sophomore year at a Board meeting. At the time there were unspoken racial tensions. I remember getting really frustrated and was ready to just leave when George pulled me aside and said, ‘You have what it takes to be a great leader. Stick with it.’ And I stuck with it.
“Since then, I have served as Rochdale President, Vice President of External Affairs and Rochdale Board Representative. I learned that in the Co-op you may not always like how things are, but you can change them for the better. George supported me so that I had the confidence to speak my mind - I left that Board meeting thinking ‘I can do this!’”
Former USCA Alumni President Bob Hughes shared some thoughts on George’s lasting contributions to the USCA. “George never lost sight of the fact that he worked for the students, and that his role was advisory, not decision-making. To me the greatest value the Co-op provides is to add to your academic education with real life education. And George is a tenured professor for life on that subject matter.”
Longtime Alumni Board member Arthur Walenta said, “Without his efforts and guidance, the USCA would not be the strong and effective force for the welfare of thousands of students that it is today. Throughout decades of service, George has maintained the USCA’s excellent relationships with the University and the City. He has been responsive and creative when student lifestyle changes have led to the need for institutional changes in the USCA. He has improved existing student housing and has acquired needed new housing, preserving what the USCA has and laying the foundation for its continued expansion and excellence.”
George will continue to serve the USCA as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, keeping his knowledge and experience available to support the Co-op. We wish George all the best in his future endeavors.