Dr. Kathleen Scherf
“The stage is set, and come September the curtain will rise on a new era in the history of Thompson Rivers University.”
With those words, the Chair of the TRU Board of Governors, Ron Olynyk, today announced the appointment of Dr. Kathleen Scherf as the institution’s fifth president.
Dr. Scherf, who is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Culture at the University of Calgary, will officially assume her new role as President on September 1st.
A highly accomplished educator and administrator, Scherf completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Toronto in 1982, and her MA and PhD degrees at the University of British Columbia before joining the Department of English at UBC as a lecturer in 1988. The following year she crossed the country to spend the next decade at the University of New Brunswick, where she was appointed Associate Dean of Arts and full Professor of English in 1995-1996. She joined the University of Calgary as Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Culture in 1999, and was reappointed for a second term as Dean in 2004.
Her extensive teaching portfolio includes more than two dozen different courses in English, Theatre and Communications, including most recently the largest first year class in her Faculty at the University of Calgary, where as Dean she believed it was important to remain connected to students and the classroom. This commitment to the student experience “one of TRU’s pillars “is one of the reasons the Board chose Dr. Scherf to lead the university.
As a senior administrator she has served on a wide range of Boards, Committees and Councils at a national level, including her current appointments on three different Editorial Boards, and on the Board of the Women’s Television Network Foundation and the Van Horne Institute.
As one of the most senior Deans at the University of Calgary, Dr. Scherf has served as Chair of Deans’ Council and as the Deans’ representative on the University Budget Committee and the University Planning Committee, as well as taking a number of other significant, pan-institutional leadership roles.
Internationally, she is the co-ordinator of a group of academics from eleven different institutions in six provinces working collaboratively to address obstacles to doing academic business in India. Just last month, Dr. Scherf was one of only eight Canadian delegates invited to the 5th annual Canada-India Policy Dialogue in New Delhi, India.
“I am honoured to accept the position as President of TRU,” said Dr. Scherf, who was introduced to the TRU community this morning.
“The evolution of the institution is impressive, its comprehensiveness, its financial management, and its beautiful campus is second to none. My interest in engaging students, community, and faculty and staff resonates perfectly with TRU. Kamloops is a fantastic, friendly city and I am very comfortable in the region, so I am very much looking forward to September.”
Dr. Scherf is the author of seven books and an impressive list of journal publications, reviews and lecture presentations to national and international organizations. Earlier this year she was the recipient of an Asia Pacific Foundation Policy Research Grant.
In 2004, she was honoured with the Calgary “Woman of Vision” award for her leadership and energy in successfully transforming and building the academic and research work of an interdisciplinary Faculty at the University of Calgary, and for connecting its work to the community.
“Our selection committee put in many hours and I would like to thank them for their commitment to this process. We have an incredibly qualified, and capable new President, and we are all extremely excited to see her take this institution to the next level,” said Ron Olynyk, Chair of the TRU Board of Governors.
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Dr. Scherf’s address to the TRU Community
Speaking Notes / Presentation
Dr. Kathleen Scherf
Monday, June 2nd, 2008
Good morning students, colleagues, Board and Foundation members, press, and new neighbours in the Kamloops community. Thank you for coming to help us celebrate.
To Ron Olynyk and the members of the TRU Board of Governors, and to all the members of the search committee that I have had the privilege to meet , and my thanks to all of you for the time and the serious consideration that you have given to me during the selection process, and my sincerest thanks and gratitude for the opportunity you have extended me to join this amazing institution and this dynamic community.
I would also like to thank Dr. Roger Barnsley for his dedication to this institution and the leadership that has made TRU what it is today.
It is a pleasure to follow in a senior leadership position someone who has left such an organized, going concern to move into. Roger, thank you; it is an honour to succeed you.
When I was first made aware of this opportunity, I immediately thought of Roger, because I knew him as the Provost of Saint Thomas University, which competed with the University of New Brunswick where I was a assistant professor.
I knew from experience what a tight ship he runs, and so I wasn’t surprised when I found the TRU website to be informative, attractive, and well-organized.
I was intrigued by the commitment to First Nations, by the astounding array of successful international initiatives, by the fresh, comprehensive on-campus and distance programming, by the concern for the student experience, by the quality of the faculty and staff, by the administrative team, by the nimbleness and health of the organization, and most of all, by the relationship between the university and the community.
After I was invited to come to Kamloops, had met with the committee, and had seen the campus and the community, I have to say that not only were my expectations exceeded, but that my excitement level and anticipation of the possibilities reached new heights!
A long weekend in this beautiful, energetic, and friendly community convinced me and my family that this is where we want to live and to make our contribution. I am very grateful to have been so warmly welcomed.
Today, all this excitement has become reality, and even with my background in communications and theatre, I still find myself at a bit of loss for, words when it comes to expressing my belief and interest in, and my commitment and passion for what we can collectively achieve in the months and the years ahead at Thompson Rivers University.
Throughout this process, while the number of people that I met formally was limited, I did in fact spend a considerable amount of time on the campus and was able to observe many students, faculty and staff going about their business in the daily life of TRU.
Without question, everything that I have seen, and heard, and learned about the success of this institution revolves around the people of this university community—TRU has come so far, and achieved so much because of you. I am so proud to join you.
It’s no secret to anyone that we live in interesting and challenging times in the world of post-secondary education. Budget and contextual realities exist at the same time as the demands for quality and access. Turning ‘challenges’ into ‘opportunities for students’ is the future that I envision for this institution.
We have the advantage of being a unique, innovative and entrepreneurial comprehensive university with great people who have great ideas; a fabulous campus in a terrific community and who desire to be the best for the good of all TRU students, faculty and staff, and for our community, today and tomorrow. I know that we all share this vision.
My first task, once I am officially on board as your next President in September, is to get to know the people of TRU, and listen and learn more about you. I can’t wait to get started.
Thank you again for this opportunity to join TRU and the Kamloops community.
Backgrounder
Thompson Rivers University
• Founded: 1970 as Cariboo College
• University College Status: Announced March 21, 1989
• Full University Status: Announced March 19, 2004
• TRU Name: Announced September 2004
• TRU Inaugural Convocation: March 31, 2005
Presidents of the institution
• 1970 – 1979 Jack Harrison
• 1979 – 1986 Charles Brewster
• 1986 – 1997 Jim Wright
• 1997 – 1998 Dr. Neil Russell (Interim President)
• 1998 – 2008 Dr. Roger Barnsely
Dr. Kathleen Scherf
Education:
• PhD University of British Columbia, 1988
• MA University of British Columbia, 1984
• BA University of Toronto, 1982
Professional Career:
• July 1999 Professor and Dean, Faculty of Communication and Culture,
University of Calgary (reappointed for a five-year term 2004-09,
adjunct appointments extended as well Adjunct Full Professorships
in English and in Drama)
• July 1996 Professor of English, University of New Brunswick
• July 1995 Associate Dean of Arts, University of New Brunswick
• July 1993 Tenured, University of New Brunswick
• July 1992 Associate Professor of English, University of New Brunswick
• July 1989 Assistant Professor of English, University of New Brunswick
• Sep. 1988 Sessional Lecturer, Department of English, University of British
Columbia
