LoginThe Installation of Dr. Terrence J. Downey
Although he’s held the top job at St. Thomas More College since August, Dr. Terrence Downey was officially installed as STM’s eleventh president on January 21, 2012.
Downey’s installation, which took place during an hour-long ceremony in STM’s chapel, was presided by the Most Reverend Don Bolen, Bishop of Saskatoon, and was followed by a banquet held downtown at TCU Place attended by 300 of the college’s alumni and friends.
Pleased by the turnout, Downey is circumspect in his view of the event.
“The Presidential Installation is about much more than simply a ceremonially or symbolic welcoming of a new president,” says Downey. “It’s a public recognition and celebration of the vitally important relationships that exist between the college and all its stakeholders.”
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from across the country, including Fr. George Smith, the Superior General of the Congregation of St. Basil, and Dr. David Sylvester, Past-Chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities of Canada (ACCUC).
Four of Downey’s eleven children – Pat, Elizabeth, Christine, and Erin – were also on hand as Gift Bearers during the ceremony.
“We are truly blessed to have someone of Dr. Downey’s reputation and expertise join the STM community at this important stage in our history,” says Board Chair Dan Perrins, who led Downey through his Declaration of Office. “His enthusiasm for Catholic post-secondary education is infectious, and everyone’s excited about the college’s future.”
An accomplished Canadian teacher, scholar and academic leader, Downey has consistently demonstrated an unfailing commitment to teaching, collaboration, research, and community engagement throughout his 35-year career. This confidence has seen him maintain the position of President and Vice-Chancellor at St. Mary’s University College in Calgary, Alberta for three consecutive terms.
During his 12 years as President of St. Mary’s, he led the College from relatively modest beginnings through significant increases in enrolment and course offerings. His vision ultimately secured undergraduate degree-granting status for the College in 2004.
Prior to his presidential terms at St. Mary’s, Downey was a faculty member and Department Chair in Political Science at the University of Waterloo, where his research interests included public policy and administration, Canadian political economy, and local government reform.
“I’m under no illusion that the road ahead won’t be without its challenges,” Downey says. “We’re embarking upon an ambitious campaign to establish a Centre for Catholic Studies at STM and we’re moving forward with plans to build a substantial addition to our existing building along College Drive. STM is moving in the right direction and I’m confident that with the support of the STM community we’ll continue to be successful leaders in post-secondary Catholic education in Canada.”
 it is a privilege to have done my first major mural in a university chapel for I consider it vital that the Christian message be at least available to young people at the turning point in their intellectual life which university represents.”— William Kurelek |
