On April 4, the University held its last chapel of the year where students gathered to honour the tenure of President Jonathan S. Raymond, Ph.D., and his seven years of service to the University he so profoundly shaped.
Students called him J-Ray. It’s a nickname President Raymond is proud of because it indicates a particular ‘cred’ and familial connection to campus life.
At an afternoon luncheon in April, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate his dedicated service. Speakers described his devotion to the mission of the University, his outreach to the community and world at large, and his emphasis on infusing Christ-like values and reflection into the lives of students.
During his tenure as President, Raymond put forth a strategic direction that sought to further strengthen TWU’s educational vitality and emphasize the development of leaders of character and competence who would aspire to meet the world’s deepest needs through the pursuit of Christ’s truth, reconciliation, compassion and hope.
Also during his leadership, the University established a faculty Senate and official Student Learning Outcomes. Three new schools were launched including the School of Education; the School of Nursing, with its MSc in Nursing; and the School of Arts, Media, and Culture, with a BFA degree in Acting and BA in Corporate Communications. Innovative graduate courses were also launched including MBAs in Management of the Growing Enterprise, Non-Profit & Charitable Organizations, and International Business; an MA in Leadership program in Beijing; a University Transitions program with the TWU International College and an Executive MBA in Tianjin, China. And TWU’s Spartan volleyball, basketball, and hockey teams moved into brand new facilities at the Township’s Langley Events Centre.
Raymond was intent on academic quality during his time as President. In a 2006 interview with student newspaper the newly appointed leader said, “we’re operating on a principle that bigger is not always better,” and declared that surpluses would be used to maintain and further develop quality. TWU achieved seven consecutive years of A+ grades for Quality of Teaching and Learning in – the only university in Canada to accomplish this.
As President Emeritus and Senior Fellow of TWU, Raymond will continue to write on topics of Christian life and leadership and spiritual formation. He will also take on speaking engagements in North America and internationally under the banner of TWU.
Listen to his last chapel address.
Jonathan S. Raymond, Ph.D., offers a departing video message:
During Jonathan S. Raymond's tenure as President, from July 2006 to June 2013, the University community achieved remarkable outcomes, which include:
- Seven years of A+ grades in and ranked among the top two universities in Canada for "Educational Experience" by the National Survey of Student Engagement as published in magazine
- TWU Strategic Direction document: Envision A Century
- University Board of Governors Policy Governance framework adopted
- Office of the Provost established
- TWU Senate established
- Student Learning Outcomes developed
- Langley Events Centre opened as home for TWU teams
- Neufeld Science Centre Expansion completed with federal Knowledge Infrastructure Project funding
- TWU becomes a member of The Royal Society of Canada
- New Academic Programs established
- School of Nursing
- MA Science of Nursing
- School of Arts, Media, and Culture
- New BFA degree in Acting and BA in Corporate Communications
- MBAs established: Management of the Growing Enterprise, Non-Profit & Charitable Organizations, International
- MA Leadership Beijing
- New University Transitions program established
- Executive MBA in Tianjin, China
- New University Institutes and Centres established:
- Religion in Canada Institute
- Centre for Spiritual Formation
- Gender Studies Institute
- John William Wevers Institute for Septuagint Studies
- Institute for Chronic Conditions and Aging
- Centre for Equity and Global Engagement
- Inklings Institute
- Two Canada Research Chairs: Religion, Culture and Conflict and Developmental Genetics and Disease
- Creation of the TWU Alumni Association
- TWU Leadership Team in place by 2012
- TWU Aboriginal Partnership Council
- Appointment of a University Siya:m
- 50th year anniversary celebration (2012)
- Six gold medals/national championships (women's soccer, men's volleyball, men's and women's track & field)
- Establishment of the TWU Estate Gift Registry and strengthened estate giving program
- Over $43 million in fundraising from 2006-07 to 2012-13
- Start of North West Conference process of accreditation
- TWU Richmond campus project selected: opening in 2014
- Proposals to the Ministry of Advanced Education:
- School of Law
- MA in Education - Special Education
- Ph.D. in Religious Studies - Ancient Manuscripts