The outgoing leader of the University of Saskatchewan is reflecting on his time in office as the school prepares to welcome its 11th president on Saturday.
Acting President Gordon Barnhart said the transition has been “bittersweet” because when he first started, he wasn’t sure if he could get the job done.
“I think over the last 17 months we’ve been able to accomplish a lot,” he said in an interview on Gormley.
Barnhart was brought in after former president Illene Busch-Vishniac was fired by the board of governors in May 2014.
He started the job only a few days after a large demonstration on campus targeted anger towards the president and concerns over the school’s financial situation.
“Restoring calm on campus was the first goal that I had.”
Today the atmosphere on campus is much calmer than it was that spring, but Barnhart is quick to point out that they have not been complacent.
The College of Medicine was able to get rid of it’s probationary status and construction has started on a new child care centre.
“I think financially the university is in stable condition and awaiting now what’s going to happen with the provincial government in the next budget,” Barnhart said.
New president Peter Stoicheff takes over as the school’s 11th president Saturday morning.