The office door wide open, a determined, yet gentle wave of encouragement is coalesced with the wide smile and bright eyes Gerry Killan is synonymous for.
Following 36 years of academic and administrative work at King’s University College, Principal Gerry Killan is leaving the small liberal arts college with no regrets.
Even 36 years since first wandering the halls of King’s College – as it was known when he was hired right out of graduate school in 1973 – Killan cherishes every day he has been able to call King’s University College his home.
“It’s amazing how quickly the 36 years has gone. At least nobody’s throwing shoes at me yet,” jokes Killan, who’ll leave after 12 years as the school’s principal. He’ll take two years deferred study leave before officially calling himself retired.
“I can’t believe the speed at which time has gone. When you’re going through these last few bittersweet months and looking back, I don’t have any regrets. I accomplished what I had hoped to accomplish in my lifetime.”
And for Killan, that is quite a lot.
After completing his PhD in history from McMaster University, King’s hired its newest faculty member right out of school. Killan had initially earmarked a couple years at the small liberal arts college in London before moving on, however that soon changed.
“You start out thinking ‘it’s small potatoes’ and ‘the grass is greener on the other side,'” he says. ” But what I soon found is it’s not the place you’re in but what you do while you’re there. I began to realize just how good King’s was for me. I was able to hit that teacher/scholar balance very easily. That’s the joy of a liberal arts undergraduate college – you get to find that balance.”
In 1983, Killan took over as chair of the History and Political Sciences department. In 1990, he would continue his pioneering academic pursuits by introducing the first undergraduate course in Canada in environmental history.
After five years as academic dean, Killan took over the role of principal in 1997. He would lead the institution through its strategic plans – strengthening its mission statement of ‘vision, values and learning’ – and making it a part of daily life.
“I had opportunities to go elsewhere over the years,” admits Killan. “This place, from the outset, both as an academic and administrator, has given me the opportunities, over and over again, to flourish and develop myself, which in turn has guided me as an administrator to try and do that for others.”
Having grown academically, physically and even spiritually during his tenure, Killan is confident David Sylvester, who’ll take over the reins in July, will continue with the tradition that makes King’s what it is.
“Our Catholic identity is more clear and confirmed. The quality of our faculty and students are much more stronger. We have reached a size I feel that has the benefits to allow a lot of good things to happen,” says Killan, who has known Sylvester for years and is confident in his ability.
“There is a certain culture that he is already aware of and that has to be respected, but some change is inevitable. I’m going to be the old solider and fade away. Ask me if you want, I’ll be at the end of the telephone.”
Killan says the thing he’s learned from the folks before him is if you think you slide into retirement, forget it. He’ll be busy with books and colleagues in his study of environmental history, along with catching up on “a whole lot of reading, other than memos.”
He will also step into a voluntary role as board chair of St. Joseph’s Health Care.
“You get out as much as you give,’ says Killan, on his reasons for staying active within the London community. “It’s amazing how opportunities happen and what doors are opened. I just hope I’m alive long enough to continue to seize them.”
So as Killan prepares to close the book on his King’s career, he knows life will soon be different. While he still plans to be around for King’s gatherings, lectures and events – in particular any golf outing – he can’t help but get that feeling of emptiness.
“It’s been very enjoyable but I feel it’s the right time for me and for the college,” he says. “At first it will simply be like going on holidays. But what will be the great moment of reflection is the Tuesday after Labour Day when I usually start cranking things up and preparing to talk to the students. It’s genetically coded in me; I’ve never been out of school my entire life. I’ll have to look for something to do that day.”
Killan years
Since being named principal …
· Full-time faculty is up nearly 40 per cent to 91.
· Student enrolment up more than 40 per cent to just under 3,800.
· International student population has leaped ahead from just eight students to 380.
· The construction of the new Elizabeth A. “Bessie” Labatt Hall, new wings to existing buildings, a new faculty building, and the recent acquisition of the new Broughdale Hall were completed.