CREDIT: STEPHANIE LAI
Fanshawe College president Peter Devlin addressed faculty and staff November 1 about challenges and moving forward.

College President Peter Devlin addressed faculty and employees of Fanshawe to give an update on the transition into his new position, and how he plans to move forward as a college.

“I am a believer in what I call wholesome family values,” he began. “[Children] seek to be cared, they seek to be loved. They seek that structure, and I'm a guy who believes in those values.”

Devlin's presentation, titled “Unlocking Potential,” outlined the college's challenges and how to create new pathways for success.

“The concept of unlocking potential is tied not only to students,” he said. “It's tied to all of us. It's tied to the community and those that we serve, and there's such a great opportunity with the concept.”

“We have to be proud of the fact that we are unique and respected inside the Ontario and national college systems.”

Devlin acknowledged that there are challenges ahead, but that with challenges come opportunities.

“[It is] a challenging environment where the demographics are shifting swiftly. There are economic changes, society's changing, values are changing,” he said. “We need to adjust to a huge amount of change.”

“There is fierce competition; competition with other colleges, competition with universities, competition with private schools and we need to acknowledge, and we need to fight and win that competition,” he added.

Devlin also spoke about the college's branding and how it will drive students to Fanshawe. “We're a comprehensive college, we're a full-access college, we're a co-op college, we're community driven, student-focused ... That's vitally important for us, particularly as we look to tomorrow.”

As a president looking towards the future and how the college will continue on, he spoke about “exciting pathways.”

“I marvel at the options that are available to our students,” he said. “The agreements that are in place with other colleges, with universities are magnificent. They provide flexibility, and what I would tell you is we need more.”

“We need to be looking at that; about the pathways that currently exist and pathways about tomorrow ... and what are the next pathways,” he added.

He finished in saying why he has a permanent smile on his face. “Thirty-five years in the army; the best part was being surrounded by soldiers,” he said. “I'm living the brand new dream, and that dream is being surrounded by all of you as well as the students of Fanshawe.”

But before the room dispersed, Lane Trotter, VP Academics, announced his resignation from the College. Trotter explained that he accepted presidency at Langara College in Vancouver, effective January 2014.

“My last five years at Fanshawe College have been amazing,” he said. “Every day I've come into work I look forward to coming into work. I look forward to seeing all of you in the hallways. I look forward to talking to you.”

“You've made my life amazing. London is a great community, and I have to tell you, I think Fanshawe College is one of the best, if not the best college in Canada.”

Gary Lima, dean of the faculty of Arts, Media and Design, will be temporarily replacing Trotter in the new year as the College seeks a new VP Academic.