The media comes to Katherine Graham when it wants the scoop on municipal politics or federal spending. The community comes to Graham for advice on reforming urban government and innovative research opportunities for revitalization. Academics seek her out for collaboration and guidance. And more than 7,000 students and faculty members relied on her to guide, manage and lead the Faculty of Public Affairs for six years.
It’s no wonder she laughs when she says she actually has time to read a book now.
Graham’s term as dean ended in June, and she has time to recharge her batteries before returning to her professorship in the School of Public Policy and Administration in 2011.
Befitting a (seemingly tireless) woman who is a prolific writer and researcher, Graham is using the time to collaborate on a book on federal policy and urban Aboriginal people, and to coordinate a major initiative to revitalize the town of Batawa (see sidebar).
While she’ll be on campus less, her presence remains strong. She influenced almost every aspect of the Faculty of Public Affairs, as she was an associate dean during the Faculty’s infancy before being appointed its second dean in 2003.
“Katherine has been a source of inspiration for all of us. She has set a very high standard, every day, through her great integrity, unstoppable work ethic and sterling professionalism,” says Ted Jackson, associate dean of research and graduate affairs.
During her term, Graham served under four university presidents and four academic vice-presidents. Described as “unflappably calm”, she was a stabilizing force, continuing to move the Faculty forward by hiring a cohort of creative and energetic new faculty members which revitalized the Faculty, building a stronger and more dynamic research enterprise, increasing internationalization of the Faculty’s degree programs, and engaging deeper with local institutional partners in the Ottawa region.
To commemorate her contributions to the Faculty, and honour her own commitment to the sustainability of Aboriginal communities through public policy and citizen engagement, the university established the Katherine Graham Annual Lecture on Aboriginal Policy. The Graham lectures will provide a vehicle for examining a wide range of policy issues, cases, models and tools related to First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities across Canada.
“The lecture was a surprise and a huge honour,” says Graham. “I was humbled and excited by it. It matches my own interests and the broader initiative in the university to reach out and engage with Canada’s rich Aboriginal heritage.”
To contribute to the endowed fund for the Katherine Graham Annual Lecture on Aboriginal Policy, contact Theresa Mitchell, development officer, at 613-520-2600 ext. 7851 or theresa_mitchell@carleton.ca.
In her own words
Katherine Graham’s personal highlights as dean include:
- celebrating the success of students at the annual dean’s honour list reception and convocation;
- recruiting new faculty to rejuvenate the units and helping to launch their research careers;
- engaging experienced and new faculty in the development of a Faculty plan;
- working with a great team of associate deans and staff;
- working with Carleton’s deans and vice-president (research and international) on interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Institute for African Studies and the Research Centre on Sustainable Energy;
- establishing a formal research committee to support activity and keep a research focus in the Faculty; and
- serving on the presidential search committee.