Parker: Top Alberta education executive named interim president of St. Mary's University
Three years ago, I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Sinda Vanderpool at her home in Texas and discovering how excited she was to be named the new president and vice-chancellor of St. Mary's University.
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She began her new position in Calgary on July 1, 2022 — her Texas upbringing meant she had the clothing and the spirit to enjoy her first Stampede.
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Vanderpool had a reputation in her 18 years with Baylor University for being open-minded, highly collaborative and a visionary leader with a passion for building and leading expert teams. That was certainly proven here, but she returns home to Texas next month after being recruited by the University of St. Thomas, Houston, and accepting the position as its next president.
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'We are deeply grateful for Dr. Vanderpool's leadership and collaborative building over the past three years,' says Gary Strother, chair of St. Mary's board of governors. 'Together with faculty, staff, student and supporters, she has led our university to accomplish national awards, academic program expansions and record-breaking investments from supporters.'
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The University's board has begun the search for a new president, but to keep the momentum going has acted swiftly in announcing that Dr. Scott Morrison, one of Alberta's leading education executives, has agreed to serve as interim president and vice-chancellor from Aug. 5 until the search is complete.
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Through his extensive career in education, Morrison has held a variety of influential leadership roles in the province, including as executive director of the Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta, which granted him leave to support St. Mary's during its transition. 'Morrison is not only an expert in leading educational organizations, but he is a committed member of St. Mary's community,' says Strother.
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For the past 17 years he has contributed as a sessional instructor, teaching an undergraduate course in the faculty of education and leadership certification courses. He also helped shape the University's bachelor of education program for secondary students, and helped design its soon-to-be-launched master of education program in Catholic school leadership.
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