BU president announces plans to step down in early 2026
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/08/2024 (413 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brandon University president David Docherty has announced his intention to step down from his role in early 2026.
The announcement was shared with the university community through an email sent by the administration on behalf of Docherty, addressing faculty, staff and students.
Docherty, who has served as president since 2019, will conclude his second term at the helm of the institution just as the university prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
Reflecting on his tenure, the president expressed both a sense of fulfilment and a recognition of the passage of time.
“In some ways, I feel like I have just arrived,” he stated in the email. “However, by the time I step down as president, it will be closing in on seven years. Coupled with my time at (Mount Royal University), 15 years serving as a president is something I have taken great joy in doing.”
During his time at BU, Docherty said, he navigated the institution through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and budget pressures, while also steering the development of a new strategic plan, “Mamaawii-atooshke aakihkiwiin.”
This plan, he noted, has solidified the university’s standing as “Canada’s finest regional university” and empowered the campus to be “agile, courageous, and inclusive.”
Looking ahead, he highlighted several upcoming initiatives that will mark the final stretch of his presidency.
These include the university’s 125th-anniversary celebrations, the transformation of a central parking lot into a communal space and the launch of a campaign to renovate the Brodie Science Building. Most notably, the university will be partnering with the University of Manitoba to provide medical training for doctors in Westman, a project Docherty described as “perhaps most transformational for our campus and for the communities we serve.”
The process of finding his successor will soon begin, offering the university community an opportunity to reflect on its future direction and priorities.
“Doubtless, the search for a new president will be a chance for our campus to discuss opportunities and priorities as BU will look to build on these successes,” he said.
As Docherty prepares for the next chapter, he said he is not seeking another university position. Instead, he and his wife, Kris, plan to remain in Brandon.
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