While this space is usually reserved for a message from the dean, in this issue, it is a message about the dean. With the end of her appointment on June 30, Katherine Graham has completed a six-year term as dean and will enjoy a period of leave before returning to teaching in the School of Public Policy and Administration. During her tenure, Graham recruited a strong cohort of faculty members, established interdisciplinary initiatives and provided exceptional leadership while the university’s senior administration was in flux. Her accomplishments are celebrated on page 4.
While the university searches for her successor, a familiar face returns to lead the Faculty as interim dean. John ApSimon returns to Carleton from September 1 to June 30, 2010.
ApSimon knows the university well. Having begun his career as an organic chemist, he moved into administration, serving as vice-president (research), vice-president (academic) and dean of graduate studies and research. After serving Carleton for 38 years, ApSimon retired in 2000—but continued to serve part-time as a special advisor to the president (partnerships) for two years.
ApSimon trained more than 70 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at Carleton, and was instrumental in improving partnerships between the campus and the Ottawa community—especially private industry—and in attracting substantial funds to the university.
He brings his experience as executive director of the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies, former executive director of the Canada Research Chairs program, and special science advisor to the Deputy Minister of the Environment, to his new post.
After 12 years of Katherine Graham’s leadership as dean and associate dean, the unique and exciting combination of units which comprise the Faculty of Public Affairs continues to provide a set of high-performance flagship programs and initiatives for Carleton University.
It is an honour to have been invited to serve as interim dean of this Faculty for the coming academic year; I can only hope to continue the trajectory that Katherine has initiated. As Carleton faces a time of uncertainty and challenge, I will work to keep the Faculty of Public Affairs at the forefront of our institution and to foster deeper relationships with Carleton’s immediate community.
The members of this Faculty are excellent teachers and researchers, and I look forward to working with them as the year progresses. The outstanding commitment and expertise of our administrators and staff will form the backbone which will allow me to deliver on my promise.
Of course, I am always open to suggestions, advice, comments and criticism. My door is open—come and visit.
I look forward to moving us all forward.