(Dan Patterson, president of Niagara College over the past 16 years in which the college has experienced tremendous growth and has seen its enrollment double, is taking a nine-month sabfattcal from the job. Niagara At Large is posting the following media release from the college on this for our readers’ information.)
June 22, 2011
Starting September 1, 2011, Niagara College President Dr. Dan Patterson
will begin a nine-month sabbatical for professional development.
Niagara College president Dan Patterson
“This professional development time will allow me to gain new
insights and a fresh perspective as I reflect on Niagara College and the
challenges and opportunities that lie before us in positioning NC for
future growth and advancement,” Dr. Dan Patterson.
“Part of my sabbatical will be spent at Oxford University in the UK as a Visiting
Research Fellow. I am looking forward to returning to Oxford, where I
studied many years ago,” Patterson added, “I am very honoured to be
sharing with their learning community, our experiences in transforming
Niagara College as a leader in higher education in the Canadian college
system.”
While on sabbatical, Dr. Patterson will be researching and writing on
College leadership, the importance of industry/educational partnerships
and the role colleges play in economic development. During this time, he
will also continue as Chair of Colleges Ontario’s Network for
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, supporting innovation and applied
research at Ontario colleges.
“We have one of the best College Presidents in the Canadian college
system,” said Len Crispino, Chair of the Niagara College Board of
Governors. “Dan’s leadership over the past 16 years has been fundamental
to Niagara College’s amazing transformation. We know that Dan’s work
during his professional development will be of immense value to Niagara
College and the broader college system.”
Dr. Steve Hudson, currently Vice-President Academic, will assume the
position of Acting President until Dr. Patterson returns in May 2012.
“While I will enjoy and look forward to this period of professional
development, it’s hard for me to imagine being away from Niagara
College,” Dr. Patterson said. “At the same time, I have great
confidence knowing we have a tremendous team that will lead the College
well until my return in the spring of 2012.”
During Dr. Patterson’s tenure as President, Niagara College enrolment
has grown from 4500 to over 9,000 full-time students. Other highlights
include the opening of the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, the launch of the
Niagara College Teaching Winery and Brewery, the establishment of the
Canadian Food and Wine Institute, and the $80 million transformation of
the Welland Campus, which officially opened amid much fanfare in May
2011. Last week, Niagara College held the largest spring convocation in
its history.
For more information visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca
Niagara At Large 