Bertrand appointed Associate Vice-Rector

Charles Bertrand has been appointed Associate Vice-Rector Student Life and Interim Dean of Students, as of January 15.

He came to Concordia (then Sir George Williams University) in 1967. He officially retired from the History Department at Concordia last year, but has kept close contact with the university.
Charles has broad experienced as an academic administrator, having served as Interim Rector from 1994 to 1995, Vice-Rector Services from 1992-97 and Dean of Arts and Science from 1985 until 1992. He was appointed History Department chair in 1981 and again in 1984.

“I am pleased to again offer my experience to serve the university,” he said.

“The role of the Dean of Students is an important one at Concordia, especially in the past several years when a level of tension between certain student groups has, at times, disturbed campus life.
“I intend to build a solid framework for amicable relations between groups on campus. I will build on the excellent work that Donald Boisvert has accomplished in terms of enriching campus life.”

A career historian, Bertrand has published numerous works on Western European social history. He did his undergraduate work in at Western Washington College, his MA at the University of Oregon and PhD at the University of Wisconsin.

Best wishes in your new role, Chuck.

Patricia Gabel appointed Special Advisor to the Rector

Rector Frederick Lowy is pleased to announce that Patricia Gabel will be joining his office in a consulting role as Special Advisor to the Rector, Conflict Analysis and Management. As well as advising on conflict analysis, she will also advise the chair of the Board of Governors on Board governance.

She has a background in international law, and more than 27 years of negotiation and conflict management experience. Most recently, she was the fellow in residence at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs.

She is a cum laude graduate of Vassar College, and also studied at the Albany Law School of Union University, where she was an editor of the law review. She taught legal writing at Albany Law School and was an adjunct professor in the School of Business at the University of Vermont.

Dr. Lowy, making the appointment, said, “Patricia Gabel is superbly qualified by training and experience to help us more effectively pursue our mission and objectives.

One of Ms. Gabel’s first priorities will be to meet with members of the university to learn more about their concerns and priorities.”

Welcome to Concordia, Patricia, and best wishes in your new post.

Don Boisvert returns to teaching, after several administrative roles

Don Boisvert has decided to return to teaching full-time next September, and will take an administrative leave from his position as Dean of Students until then. He takes with him the gratitude of many at the university for conducting an often difficult job with grace and humour.

A former co-president of the Loyola Students’ Association, Boisvert helped build a dynamic, welcoming and comprehensive student services program. He strove to encourage a vibrant student life at Concordia and mediate tensions when they arose between student groups or with the university administration.

Vice-Rector Services Michael Di Grappa said that Boisvert had built the Dean of Students office into a real asset, serving a panoply of needs. “He is a committed and principled person, and he showed that he cared about student concerns and he cared about Concordia. We will miss him greatly, but he leaves a lasting legacy.”

Don has taught in the Departments of Political Science, Religion, Leisure Studies and the Interdisciplinary Program in Sexuality. He will return to teaching in the Religion Department.
Donald Boisvert was named Associate Vice-Rector, Services (Student Life) in 1991 and Dean of Students in 1996. Before that, he was Acting Director, Health Services (1995-96), Acting Director, Guidance Services (1990-91), Executive Assistant to the Rector (1985-90) and Administrative Assistant to the Vice-Rector, Academic (1980-85).

Recently, he endowed the Donald L. Boisvert Scholarship for Gay and Lesbian Studies, and was present for the induction of the award at the Graduate Awards ceremony in December.