Dr. Scott Morrison Named Interim President at St. Mary's University
'We are deeply grateful for Dr. Vanderpool's leadership and collaborative community building over the past three years. Together with faculty, staff, students, and supporters, she has led our university to accomplish national awards, academic program expansions, and record-breaking investments from supporters.' said Gary Strother, Chair of St. Mary's University Board of Governors. 'On behalf of St. Mary's, and the communities we serve, I wish Sinda and her family all the best.'
The University's board has begun acting on its authority to search for a new president. One of Alberta's leading education executives, Dr. Scott Morrison, has agreed to serve as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor from August 5, 2025 until that search is complete.
Through his extensive career in education, Dr. Morrison has held a variety of influential leadership roles in Alberta, including as Executive Director of the Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta, which granted him a leave from his current position to support St. Mary's University during its transition.
'Scott is not only an expert in leading educational organizations, but he is also a committed member of St. Mary's community,' said Strother.
For the past 17 years, Dr. Morrison 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 its soon-to-be launched Master of Education program. A former member of St. Mary's Board of Governors, he chaired its Governance and Nominating Committee for three years.
Morrison was honoured to accept the role. 'To serve St. Mary's as its Interim President will be a labour of love. I have long been an advocate for St. Mary's and the transformative power of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition it blends through their degrees in education, arts and science.'
Vanderpool has mixed feelings as she transitions the role with Morrison August 5 – 8, her last week here. 'I have felt so very honoured to serve St. Mary's and the community that uplifts it. While I am excited to live closer to my family, I know the future is bright for a place that will always hold a special home in my heart.'
Lisa Laskowski, Vice President, External Relations
St. Mary's University
Phone: 403.554.6225
Email:
lisa.laskowski@stmu.ca
About St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University is a dynamic and inclusive institution located in Calgary, Alberta, offering undergraduate degrees in Education, Arts, and Science, along with diploma programs in Business that emphasize entrepreneurship, innovation, and social responsibility. For students aspiring to careers in health care, mental health, or medicine, St. Mary's provides essential foundational courses to support their academic journey.
Situated on a picturesque 35-acre campus adjacent to Fish Creek Provincial Park, St. Mary's blends natural beauty with academic tradition. The campus is home to nationally ranked athletics teams, a vibrant community choir, and heritage buildings that reflect the university's rich history and enduring values.
Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and open to all, St. Mary's fosters a culture of academic excellence, ethical leadership, and a deep respect for the dignity of every person. Graduates emerge as thoughtful, compassionate leaders— committed to service, inspired by faith, and prepared to shape a better world.
https://stmu.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67e66fb0-6325-41cc-bc7a-61b0c163f70d
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV calls for end of ‘barbarity' after Israeli strike on Gaza's only Catholic church
Pope Leo called for an end to the 'barbarity of war' on Sunday as he spoke of his profound pain over an Israeli strike on the sole Catholic church in Gaza. Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City on Thursday. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade, and shattering windows. Advertisement 3 Pope Leo XIV called for an end to the 'barbarity of war' after an Israeli strike on the only Catholic church in Gaza. AP 3 The flag of Vatican City seen near the damage at the Holy Family Church, which was hit in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City on July 18. REUTERS 3 Leo read out the names of those killed in the incident after his Angelus prayer. REUTERS Advertisement Speaking after his Angelus prayer, Leo read out the names of those killed in the incident. 'I appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, of indiscriminate use of force and forced displacement of the population,' he said.
Chicago Tribune
7 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Pope Leo XIV renews his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV renewed his call on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, asking the international community to respect international laws and the obligation to protect civilians. 'I once again call for an immediate end to the barbarity of this war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,' the pontiff said at the end of his Sunday Angelus prayer from his summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo. Pope Leo also expressed his 'deep sorrow' for the Israeli attack on the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, which killed three people and wounded 10 others, including the parish priest. Will Pope Leo forge greater LGBTQ+ inclusion? Chicago-area Catholics pray for 'reconciliation rather than division.''I appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations,' the pope added. The shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza also damaged the church compound, where hundreds of Palestinians have been sheltering from the Israel-Hamas war, now in its 21st month. Israel expressed regret over what it described as an accident and said it was investigating. 'We need to dialogue and abandon weapons,' the pope said earlier Sunday, after presiding over Mass at the nearby Cathedral of Albano. 'The world no longer tolerates war,' Leo told reporters waiting for him outside the cathedral.
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
School trustees with TDSB told what they can and can't do (it's mostly can't) after Ford government takes over the board
Trustees with Toronto's public school board have been given the do's and the don'ts. They can forward emails from constituents to the director of education and redirect calls to the board's main line. They cannot issue updates to their community; access administrative offices; use their board email account to communicate with constituents; or participate in any events as trustees, which includes engaging with school staff and parent councils. Those are just some of the changes to trustees' roles following last week's provincial takeover of four school boards — including Toronto's Catholic and public — for alleged financial mismanagement. A supervisor was appointed to each board, taking over the authority held by the board of trustees, who have been stripped of their power. School board takeover: Don't be fooled. It is not about finances — it's power politics On Monday, the TDSB director emailed trustees with information, from the supervisor, on 'key topics' to help 'facilitate the transition.' The issue came to the Star's attention after a member of the public expressed alarm at not being able to connect with his trustee. Among other things, the trustee honorarium — it amounts to roughly $25,000 a year — was suspended as of June 27, when Education Minister Paul Calandra made the announcement that also affects the Dufferin-Peel Catholic board and Ottawa's public board. Alexis Dawson is now calling herself a 'community member and democratically elected public school board trustee,' noting, 'You can take away my access to TDSB, you can take away my institutional power, but you cannot take away the fact that I was democratically elected by the public to serve in the capacity of trustee.' In an interview, Dawson said not being able to respond to constituents' emails, and help them navigate the system, is particularly difficult. 'By the time issues are brought to trustees, they're full-blown,' she said. 'We are the important bridge between the community and the school board that can help to advocate at that level. We don't have the decision-making power when it comes to school-based issues, but we certainly have that advocacy power and I have seen that directly influence decisions at the school level.' Because Dawson was a community advocate before becoming a trustee, she says many folks have her personal contact information. And she vows to keep advocating on their behalf as a community member. On Wednesday evening, Dawson was part of an online community discussion on the role of uniformed police in schools. Promotion for the event described her as a community member and democratically elected school board trustee. Similarly, Sara Ehrhardt said she 'took an oath and was elected to keep listening to my community and advocating on their behalf.' Before receiving the director's email on Monday she had already set up an automatic reply on the TDSB email redirecting any constituents who reach out to her personal email. 'I will keep trying to do that to the very best of my ability, and I would hope that the Doug Ford government and this supervisor would encourage that continued community voice,' said Ehrhardt. 'I will seek to assist people in finding the information they need to navigate the school system when I'm paid or not, whether I have a TDSB email or not, whether the Doug Ford government wants me to be doing it or not. ' Weidong Pei said he hopes his fellow trustees will be able to meet the supervisor to share their thoughts on how the TDSB can move forward. 'It hurts me that I cannot advocate for parents and students more,' said Pei, adding he should represent the views of his constituents, especially if there are any reductions coming down the pike that will affect students. Meanwhile, trustees at the Toronto Catholic District School Board haven't been given direction. There, trustees receive about $18,000 a year and will continue getting about 25 per cent of their pay, since they still have decision-making power over denominational issues. 'All we know is that the supervisor must convene the trustees on issues of denominational rights,' TCDSB Chair Markus de Domenico told the Star. 'That is a huge part of our culture and focus. I don't know what the parameters and protocols of that are but I can say that we will advocate very strongly to protect our Catholic identity.' TCDSB Trustee Maria Rizzo said 'We're in the dark ... There has been no contact about what we can and cannot do. So when constituents ask for help, we're helping them.' De Domenico met Calandra on Wednesday, and had a 'frank, constructive productive discussion.' 'I spoke to the unique position Toronto Catholic is in, how the investigator's report confirmed that Toronto Catholic has an excellent senior admin team and a well-governed and committed board of trustees,' said de Domenico. 'I assured the minister that we are ready to do our part and to co-operate with the supervisor and the ministry to make our board financially sound so we can continue to support students and families.' The province appointed supervisors to oversee the boards' finances after investigations showed each had accumulated deficits, but boards argue funding from the province hasn't kept pace with actual costs. The TDSB — it had a projected deficit of $58 million for 2025-26 — has grappled with a structural deficit, meaning it spends more than it receives in funding. Reasons for this include government funding that hasn't kept pace with inflation; unfunded increases in statutory benefits (Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance); and the inability to close underused schools because of a provincial moratorium. The TDSB's supervisor is Rohit Gupta, a public policy and finance professional with expertise in governance, strategic planning and engaging with stakeholders. The TCDSB's supervisor is Frank Benedetto, a legal professional. That board initially reported a deficit of $65.9 million for 2025-26, but found savings and reduced it to $48.5 million. It wanted to use $30 million of its money from the sale of properties to further reduce the deficit, and proposed a multi-year financial recovery plan.
