"Thank you, Dalhousie"

Dr. Alan Shaver will become president of Thompson Rivers University in December (Danny Abriel photo)

When Dal News first sat down to talk with Alan Shaver shortly after his appointment as the university’s new Vice-President Academic and Provost, his office was full of bare shelves and boxes unpacked. He was still in the process of moving in.

Now, four years later, he’s moving on.

Last week, it was announced that Dr. Shaver will be leaving Dalhousie to become the next President and Vice-Chancellor of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C. The school, which has over 13,000 students spread across three campuses, is at the forefront of big changes in British Columbia’s post-secondary system. A college since the 1970s, Thompson Rivers was granted university status in 2004 and melds elements of both the university and college models.

It’s an exciting opportunity – leading a university still in the early years of its mission – but that didn’t make the decision to leave Dalhousie any easier.

“This was a difficult decision,” says Dr. Shaver. “I’ve made a lot of great personal friends and working relationships here. I’ve learned a lot in the last four years, and there’s a lot that I’ll miss.”?

He was won over, ultimately, both by the opportunity for personal and professional growth, and by the enthusiasm of Thompson Rivers’ faculty, staff and students. “They know they’ve got something special there. And the whole community is working hard to make it happen.”

Transition steps

Dr. Shaver was formally introduced to that community as its new president last Wednesday. The town hall session was held via web conference due to Dr. Shaver’s involvement in Dal convocation ceremonies. Dalhousie faculty and staff were informed of the news in a memo from President Tom Traves.

“During the four years he has served as Vice-President Academic and Provost, [Dr. Shaver] has made a big impact on our university, creating an atmosphere and framework for action that encouraged innovation and excellence in everything we do,” wrote Dr. Traves. “Since he and I became close friends over those years, I will also miss his wise counsel and good cheer.”

Dr. Traves also announced that Carolyn Watters, presently Dalhousie’s Dean of Graduate Studies, will serve as interim Vice-President Academic and Provost during the search for a replacement. Dr. Shaver will work closely with her over the next couple of months before making his way to Kamloops in the fall for his own transition. He will formally become president of Thompson Rivers University on December 1.

Fond memories

What will Dr. Shaver miss most about Dalhousie?

“Certainly the people that I’ve worked with, but particularly the great students that are here,” he says. “The recent ‘Brains for Change’ conference was just amazing to me. The potential that students have for institutional change is tremendous.”

“There’s also the level of interdisciplinarity among our professors,” he adds. “It’s so natural to them. That’s not the same everywhere. It’s truly impressive, and I think that’s because the university is the right size and the right design for it.”

He highlights the College of Sustainability and the Environment, Sustainability and Society program as evidence of that.

“I remember the first time it was explained to me. I was dumbfounded. When I saw the innovation it created...it was perfect for Dal, and I don’t think any one of us could have created it alone. I had such respect and admiration for the faculty and students that came up with it.”

He’ll be taking many lessons learned from his time at Dal to his new role, from encouraging change at the grassroots level to the importance of listening in the leadership process.

“I felt at home raising new ideas here,” “People have always been very open and collaborative, and I’m so thankful for all that positivity.

“So I guess that’s my main message to share – thank you, Dalhousie.”

There will be a farewell party to celebrate Dr. Shaver’s contributions to the university towards the end of the summer.