Leader's Insight interview with Dr. Tom Traves, President, Dalhousie University
When Tom Traves became Dalhousie University’s 10th President in 1995, morale was low. Years of budget cuts and strained labour relations had taken their toll. Seizing the challenge, the former York University professor and Vice President (Academic) at the University of New Brunswick led the venerated institution to a renaissance. Enrollments increased by more than 40 per cent and external research grants and contract income surged 300 per cent. Ever optimistic about Dalhousie’s future, Traves shares his perspectives on what we expect from our leaders, and why he tells people he’s from Halifax despite his Winnipeg roots.
When I came to Dalhousie, it felt clinically depressed. Today, I see considerable confidence throughout our institution about the future. I think my contribution was to create a vision and say ‘This is possible, we can turn this around.’ I’m incredibly proud that we made that move from pessimism to optimism.
I’ve always been fascinated by the way that people use titles when they talk to, say, a politician. When people first addressed me as ‘Mr. President’, I’d look over my shoulder and say, is Bill Clinton in the room?’
Interviewed by Anna Stuart, partner, Robertson Surrette – Atlantic Canada’s leading recruitment and human resource consulting firm. Leader’s Insight conversations are published in each issue of Atlantic Business Magazine.