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Cumberland College president announces resignation

Feb 20, 2018 | 1:00 PM

After more than fours years in charge of Cumberland College, President Tom Weegar is moving on.

Originally from Vancouver Island, Weegar was regional director at North Island College before taking the president’s position in Nipawin. He said one of the highlights of his tenure at the Northeast Saskatchewan school was introducing “Indigenization” into the facility. Weegar said the school previously had a “Euro-centric” focus, but that has changed in recent years. He said the evolution process included teaching the ideology to his staff.

“’You hired me because I’m exceptional in my content area, are you now going to start telling me what to teach and how to teach it?’ You have to have those conversations with your faculty as you are going down the Indigenization journey,” Weegar said.

Weegar said staff and students at the school spent more time teaching and learning in groups or teams, and introduced an Elders-in-residence program. Two years ago, he said a valedictory address by a Caucasian student was presented partly in Cree, and drew rousing applause.

Another personal highlight Weegar noted was the success of their technical and adult-education programs. Over the past three years, he said both have had full enrollment. Overall, the outgoing president said he greatly enjoyed his experience at Cumberland.

“It was a great time,” he said. “I greatly value the faculty and staff at the college and they make a difference in students’ lives.”

Weegar’s last day as president will be March 29. He has accepted a position at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ont. The college board is scheduled to meet today to discuss the replacement strategy.

 

clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork