<p"I am honoured to lead this institution, and I will not let you down," Scherf told the hundreds of well-wishers, convocating students and dignitaries gathered in the TRU gymnasium.

Part of the installation ceremony included Chancellor Nancy Greene Raine bestowing Scherf with the newly commissioned TRU Presidential Chain of Office which will represent the president’s authority as head of the university. The chain features a medal of the university seal suspended from a chain that will be engraved to chronicle TRU’s appointed Presidents.

In her address Scherf praised Past President Dr. Roger Barnsley saying, “Thank you to you and your team for building such an incredible university for me to lead and to carry on your superb work.”

The pomp and circumstance of the Presidential Installation added an air of special importance to the TRU graduates who are part of the Fall Convocation ceremony immediately following the installation.

Scherf, transitioning from the Installation ceremony said, “I stand before this august assembly, this Fall Convocation ceremony, as both your President, and as a parent. And I am going to give our graduates some advice that frankly could stem from either of those roles.”

The first two hallmarks of a TRU graduate, Scherf said, is that they are active and dedicated members of a civil society, enter enjoyable and well-remunerated careers and look after themselves. “Be happy and fulfilled, that attitude colours every single other thing you do. And that, my friends, is my third wish for the hallmark of a TRU grad.”

Dozens of universities from across the country sent congratulations to Dr. Scherf including Alan Harrison, Provost of the University of Calgary who remarked that Dr. Scherf had served at his university extremely well for nine years as the dean of culture and communications and that TRU should be congratulated for choosing such a excellent candidate as its President.

Contact: Josh Keller, TRU Director Marketing and Communications, 250.828.5008, (c) 250.851.6843