When Tom Traves leaves his post as Dalhousie president next June, he鈥檒l have served in the role for 18 years 鈥� the full lifetime of a first-year undergrad.
It鈥檚 been a long tenure, but its legacy will be even longer: since becoming president in July 1995, Dr. Traves has led Dalhousie through a period of unprecedented growth in students, faculty, research dollars and global reputation. In 1995, Dalhousie was just beginning to emerge as a national university. Today, Dalhousie is a leading member of Canada鈥檚 U15, one of Canada鈥檚 Top 100 Employers, attracts more than $130 million in external research funding each year and contributes more than $1 billion to the local economy.
And now, he鈥檚 preparing to hand the presidency over to a successor who will continue to advance Dalhousie鈥檚 mission.
鈥淭his is a real transition for me, but I鈥檓 truly proud of what we鈥檝e been able to accomplish as a university in my time as president,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he possibilities and potential for Dalhousie going forward are vast, and though my tenure is winding to a close, it鈥檚 easy to be excited about what Dal鈥檚 future has in store.鈥�
Dr. Traves says he hasn鈥檛 decided how he鈥檚 going to spend his post-presidency years quite yet, though as a tenured professor, he says that returning to the classroom is certainly an option. For now, he鈥檚 looking forward to leading Dalhousie through the events of the next year鈥攊ncluding the NSAC merger鈥攁nd starting preparations for his successor.聽
Search underway; committee seeks input
With the formal announcement that Dr. Traves will not be seeking another term, the search has begun for Dalhousie鈥檚 11th president. The has been created and is comprised of six members appointed by the Board of Governors, six members appointed by Senate and two student members: one undergraduate, one graduate. Its chair will be Jim Spatz, also chair of Dalhousie鈥檚 Board of Governors.
鈥淒r. Traves has led Dalhousie through what could arguably be described as its most significant period of growth鈥� says Mr. Spatz. 鈥淭he Board is excited to determine who will carry on that tradition and lead Dalhousie into its third century of inspiring minds.鈥�
Laverne Smith & Associates, a leading Canadian executive search firm that has worked extensively with universities across North America, will assist in the search. The committee will also seek input from the Dal community throughout the process on the requirements, challenges and opportunities for the president鈥檚 position. The committee is asking until June 8, but will also consider contributions throughout the process.
The committee expects to recommend a candidate for appointment to the Board of Governors in early 2013.
For ongoing information on the search process, please visit the Presidential Search website at .