In late 2006, Fairleigh Dickinson University leased the entire first floor of two internally connected buildings on Cambie Street in the thriving downtown area known as Yaletown. It then contracted with an interior design firm to renovate and prepare the facility.
A staff had to be assembled, and a campus leader needed to be found. “Trying to find the right person to lead the campus was probably our most difficult challenge,” recalled Carl Viola, the former executive vice president who has now retired. “We did a very comprehensive search and we were very lucky to find someone like Ian [Haslam]; someone who brings so much experience living and working in diverse environments; and someone with such a great commitment to FDU’s mission of preparing world citizens.”
As more key positions were filled, the space began to take shape and recruitment efforts began. Promotional efforts got under way and summer-study courses were offered in June. Haslam and his staff occupied temporary offices and worked out of boxes until the facility was complete and the furniture was delivered — only a week before regular classes would start. Following an orientation at the end of August, classes officially began on September 4.
“It’s very exciting to see all our work fulfilled,” Kiernan said. “This is even better than we expected. We picked the right place with the right programs.”
Drucker added, “It’s a wonderful place to learn. I envy the people who are studying and working here.”
Born and raised in Vancouver, FDU alumnus Daniel Starczynowski, BS’00 (T), is now a member of the FDU-Vancouver Foundation Board, formed to help govern the campus. “I’ve been blown away by the facility. It’s incredible, it’s welcoming, and it’s conducive to learning.”
Starczynowski said he joined the board “as a reflection of my commitment to the University. FDU gave me the tools to succeed in graduate school and life.” After studying at Boston University and gaining his PhD in molecular biology, he returned to Vancouver where he is a PhD fellow at the British Columbia Cancer Research Center. He added, “I’m very impressed by the students. They are a good representation of what the world is. That was the goal at FDU, and that is what has been achieved.”
While celebrating the opening, FDU officials were already looking ahead. “We need time to do a full recruiting cycle and achieve our enrollment goals,” Kiernan said. “By next fall, this will really be the place to be.”
“The campus has met our high expectations,” Capuano said. “We now need to build it and make it successful. The first years are critical.” Of the inaugural students, he said, “The first class has to demonstrate the standard. They are exceptionally good students, and we will continue to maintain our selectivity as we go forward.”
And then, perhaps in about three years, said Drucker, “We need to identify another place in the world and replicate the excellent model we have here.”– A.C.
and guests.
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