Malaspina Board Chair Announces Retirement of President Rich Johnston

Don Hubbard, Chair of the Malaspina University-College Board has announced the upcoming retirement of President Rich Johnston, effective January 1, 2007.

"It’s with mixed feelings that I, on behalf of the Malaspina Board, accept Rich’s retirement notice," said Hubbard. "Rich has been the longest-serving president in the history of Malaspina University-College and, under his leadership, the institution has grown from a small, regional community college to a successful university-college with an international reputation for excellence," he added.

"Rich works tirelessly to keep the institution connected with the community, and he has preserved the comprehensive nature of the programs by ensuring a broad instructional mix that includes academic, trades/vocational, career/technical programs; high school upgrading courses; continuing education courses; and international education," said Hubbard.

"At the same time, he has instilled an entrepreneurial spirit that has served Malaspina well and has allowed the institution to flourish, even during times of government fiscal restraint programs, in the past 20 years," Hubbard added.

Johnston, who started at Malaspina as an Associate Dean in 1976, rose to the position of Dean of Vocational programs in 1980 and was appointed President in the summer of 1986. Besides being the longest-serving president at Malaspina, he is the second longest serving president in public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.

"At every step along the way during my 30 years at Malaspina, I have enjoyed the generous support of faculty, administrators, Board members, students, civic leaders and the public who believe in the mission of our institution," said Johnston. "With that support we’ve made real gains in introducing new programs, inventing new ways of serving our students and, at the same time, weathering funding challenges," added Johnston.

During the last 20 years, Malaspina’s operating budget has more than quadrupled - from $21-million to $87-million, and student demand for Malaspina programs has surged.

Malaspina's main campus is located in Nanaimo, and there are regional campuses in Duncan and Powell River, and a centre in Parksville.

Hubbard said that the Board will engage the services of an executive consultation firm to assist the Board with a national search for Johnston’s replacement.