A year and a half ago, our former president Dominic Giroux met with Dr. Linda Ambrose at a picnic table in Founders square. As I understand, it was not an easy conversation. Dominic knew Linda was the right person to lead the strategic plan, but he also knew convincing her to step away from her writing and students would be a tough sell.
The good news is they agreed she would become Special Advisor to the President, and today we have a magnificent strategic plan to guide us through the next 5 years. A plan that is both aspirational and reasonable. A plan that provides guidance, but allows for creativity. A plan that may have been written by Linda but that was created by the Laurentian community.
Today is her last day as Special Advisor, and I want to take a moment to say thank you.
In the last 15 months Linda has met with over 1500 people, held more than 50 consultations, received hundreds of emails and prepared dozens of documents, including 5 drafts of the plan. During that time, she has displayed creativity, discernment, patience and fortitude. She has been a tireless champion for our university and has produced a document that we can all be proud of. We all owe her a great debt of gratitude.
The January 17 launch of the strategic plan was a huge success. Today you can visit the website to review the plan. But we’re not done. I am pleased to say you will soon see a new section on the Website. This one will track all of our progress towards the completion of the plan. Locally, nationally, and internationally we hope you will log your progress and let us all know what you are doing with regard to the 25 outcomes. It’s actually quite simple. Just post on social media using #imagine2023 to feed information that will be used to update the website about progress. The new site will provide a dynamic picture of where and how our impact is felt.
Since January, many individuals and groups have been working on initiatives related to the 25 outcomes in the strategic plan and we encourage them to continue. In the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities to come together to plan, coordinate activities and share successes.
In support of this work, we have created a team called the “Outcome 26 Group”. It will be there to track progress, be attentive to areas where multiple goals interact, and provide feedback on how we’re progressing (including managing the new website).
I am very pleased that Dr. Michelle Brunette, Dr. Joël Dickinson, Kristy Rousseau, Michel Seguin and Dr. Shelley Watson and two other colleagues whose participation we are still waiting to confirm will make up the inaugural composition of Outcome 26. Please connect with them through the email address below if you have any questions.
Achieving each of the 25 outcomes in the plan will need the input of more than one champion. Many of you have already signaled your interest in participating in the work of one or more of them. If you are interested and have not yet indicated it, please reach out by sending an email to Imagine2023@laurentian.ca. You can also speak to members of Outcome 26 Group in person. We look forward to hearing from you!
As Linda Ambrose takes a well-deserved academic leave and heads back to the history research she loves, I invite you all to say a loud THANK YOU.
Dr. Pierre Zundel
Interim President and Vice Chancellor
Laurentian University