The man behind Quest University retired last week just as students were returning from their first block of studies in the Kootenays. Dr. David Strangway, the president and founder of Squamish's private university, stepped down without announcement or fanfare, and in a press release Wednesday (Oct. 10) pointed to the successful launch of the school as the impetus for his decision.
"It is time for me to step down as president," he said in a statement. "We have reached a milestone with the opening of the university and the successful completion of the first block of classes and it is time for me to be with my family."
Strangway will become the founding chancellor of the university, which is an honorary position required by legislation to enable Quest to grant degrees.
The board named Thomas Wood as the new president. Wood has served as Quest's chief academic officer for the past three years. A teacher-philosopher who served Calgary's Mount Royal College for 34 years, Wood undertook a review of the Quest academic plan in early 2005, and joined the university in a consultancy position in September 2005 as senior advisor to Strangway, according to the Quest website.
Wood said Quest's direction attracted him to the position. "I believe in Quest and the people who are creating it."
"Education is the most important investment we can make as individuals and as a society. I was attracted by the nature of this institution, which is focused on the principles and ideals that matter. I believe that Quest will change lives."
While Strangway's goal of launching the educational facility is complete now that classes are in full swing, the campus itself is still under construction.
Students are currently being shuttled back and forth from the Sea to Sky Hotel while finishing touches on residences are completed. Students are expecting to move into on-campus housing by the end of the month, and while there is disappointment among the student body, according to director of public relations Angela Heck, "everyone's faring really well."
"I think they're disappointed," said Heck. "It is understandable and it's unfortunate. You want to have your own space at the end of the day. I think all of us would have the same reaction if you're expected to move into something and then it's delayed for a month. You cope in the grand scheme of things, it's not a long time."
Heck added that the moral remains high thanks to a great experience at Red Mountain in the Kootenays."They had a blast," she said, adding that the campus is now bustling with activity."The classes are happening up here. The meals are happening up here. The life is taking place up here."
