Dr Kathleen Scherf was basically fired today as President of Thompson Rivers University, after her one year review by the TRU Board of Governors.
I know Kathleen had mixed reviews as TRU President. Her flamboyance, for example, sometimes led people to conclude that she was not serious. But, as Kathleen told me when I interviewed her in this podcast, she can only be who she is.
I don't know Kathleen well, but my interview with her kind of made me a fan. She knew her stuff, and took her "unusualness" as a source of power. I really hope she decides to stay in Kamloops, where I think she could make an enormous contribution.
I know the TRU Board made their difficult decision carefully. Perhaps being a University President is not the right place for her in Kamloops but I think there are many other ways to make a difference (just ask a recently defeated former city councillor!).
Here are audio snippets from my conversation with Kathleen - talking about her "unusualness" in kind of an unusual, I would say refreshing, way:
Not surprised at this move. Nothing against her but it just goes to show how dysfunctional the place is.
The top heavy faculty and management treat the staff like dirt......and it is starting to show as the place slowly unravels.
Posted by: Andy Opreshyn | September 14, 2009 at 08:56 PM