Look who found work in Waterloo!

The political scientist who tried to lead Algoma University into an unpopular 'block' schedule will soon be principal of a postsecondary institution affliated with University of Waterloo.

Richard Myers, departed president of Algoma University, starts his new position in Waterloo on July 1.

Ten months after leaving Algoma University, Richard Myers has landed in Waterloo, Ontario, where he's been chosen the new principal of St. Paul's University College, an afflilated institution of University of Waterloo.

Dr. Myers served five years as Algoma U president.

He'll start his new position on July 2016, St. Paul's said in a written statement.

Established in 1962 by the United Church of Canada, St. Paul's University College now functions independently of the church as a small teaching and living environment within the larger University of Waterloo.

It has fewer than 300 students at its residence.

St. Paul's is known for its Waterloo Aboriginal Educational Centre, which encourages the sharing of indigenous knowledge and supplies culturally relevant supports for the University of Waterloo community.

“The St. Paul’s board of governors believes that Dr. Myers has the perfect qualifications and background to carry forward the excellent work St. Paul’s has done in areas such as aboriginal education, international development and social entrepreneurship,” said Rod Barr, board chair.

Here in the Sault, Dr. Myers is possibly best remembered for his unsuccessful attempt to introduce a semester-less 'block' program in which students take one course at a time - attending three-hour classes five times a week over three weeks - and write a final exam before moving on to the next subject.

The following is the full text of the announcement from St. Paul's University College:

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St. Paul's welcomes Richard Myers as new principal

St. Paul’s University College is pleased to announce that political scientist Richard Myers has been appointed principal for a five-year term as of July 2016.

Dr. Myers has most recently been president of Algoma University, where he substantially improved relations with the local community and with Aboriginal partners in the area, and grew enrolment and revenues.

He also oversaw the completion of a new science building and the expansion of Algoma’s athletics centre.

Prior to that, Dr. Myers was vice-president academic at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, and taught there for close to 20 years, in both French and English.

He received his BA, MA, and PhD in political science from the University of Toronto, and is the co-author of a popular Canadian introductory textbook called The Canadian Regime.

He was born in Chatham, Ontario.

“The St. Paul’s board of governors believes that Dr. Myers has the perfect qualifications and background to carry forward the excellent work St. Paul’s has done in areas such as Aboriginal education, international development, and social entrepreneurship,” said Rod Barr, chair of the St. Paul’s board. “We are delighted to welcome him to the community.”

Dr. Myers will take over from St. Paul’s longest-serving principal, Dr. Graham Brown, who is stepping down after 17 years.

Dr. Brown will be acting as special advisor to the principal until December 2017 in order to help finalize some existing initiatives.

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