KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University has unveiled who will succeed President Alan Shaver when he retires later this year.
He is Dr. Brett Fairbairn, a longtime instructor and administrator at the University of Saskatchewan.
TRU Board Chair Jim Thomson says a 16-member search committee was unanimous in its endorsement of Fairbairn.
Fairbairn says he’s excited to be joining the university in December.
“Really, coming to TRU, it’s just that fit that you look for when you click with an institution, and I’ve found it here,” Fairbairn said. “I’m really glad about that.”
Fairbairn currently teaches at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. As he transitions into the president’s role at TRU, Fairbairn says he doesn’t plan on dictating the direction of the university.
“Universities are full of really bright people who know the communities and their region,” he said. “I think part of what a president does is to come in and listen and work with them to articulate that vision. So, I have interests and ideas from my background personally in interdisciplinary teaching and research, and community engagement. I’m happy to explore those areas, but really my job is to come in and work to develop that vision and not bring it in ready-made.”
Fairbarn will officially become president and vice-chancellor on Dec. 1, three months after Dr. Alan Shaver steps down.
“I’m first of all greatly relieved and very happy that Brett Fairbairn is going to be our next president,” Shaver said. “He is an excellent academic, teacher, scholar, very experienced academic administrator, and a very warm person.”
Provost and Vice-President Academic Dr. Christine Bovis-Cnossen will serve as interim president until Dr. Fairbairn arrives in Kamloops.
