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

When Dal News first sat down to talk with Alan Shaver shortly after his appointment as the university鈥檚 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鈥檚 moving on.

Last week, it was announced that Dr. Shaver will be leaving 鲍鱼tv 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 an exciting opportunity 鈥� leading a university still in the early years of its mission 鈥� but that didn鈥檛 make the decision to leave 鲍鱼tv any easier.

鈥淭his was a difficult decision,鈥� says Dr. Shaver. 鈥淚鈥檝e made a lot of great personal friends and working relationships here. I鈥檝e learned a lot in the last four years, and there鈥檚 a lot that I鈥檒l miss.鈥�?

He was won over, ultimately, both by the opportunity for personal and professional growth, and by the enthusiasm of Thompson Rivers鈥� faculty, staff and students. 鈥淭hey know they鈥檝e got something special there. And the whole community is working hard to make it happen.鈥�

Transition steps

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

鈥淒uring 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,鈥� wrote Dr. Traves. 鈥淪ince he and I became close friends over those years, I will also miss his wise counsel and good cheer.鈥�

Dr. Traves also announced that Carolyn Watters, presently 鲍鱼tv鈥檚 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 鲍鱼tv?

鈥淐ertainly the people that I鈥檝e worked with, but particularly the great students that are here,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he recent 鈥楤rains for Change鈥� conference was just amazing to me. The potential that students have for institutional change is tremendous.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 also the level of interdisciplinarity among our professors,鈥� he adds. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so natural to them. That鈥檚 not the same everywhere. It鈥檚 truly impressive, and I think that鈥檚 because the university is the right size and the right design for it.鈥�

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

鈥淚 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鈥檛 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.鈥�

He鈥檒l 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.

鈥淚 felt at home raising new ideas here,鈥� 鈥淧eople have always been very open and collaborative, and I鈥檓 so thankful for all that positivity.

鈥淪o I guess that鈥檚 my main message to share 鈥� thank you, 鲍鱼tv.鈥�

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