In considering the advice she would give to the next leader of Lethbridge College, former President Tracy L. Edwards was pragmatic and precise.“You’ve got to care about the work,” she said. “It’s not about the title. A president is a head cheerleader for that institution. You’ve got to love people. And you’ve got to love the work.”
Those who worked with Edwards at the college, city and provincial levels during the seven years she spent as president said her love of this place and its people was evident from her first day on campus.
“Tracy Edwards was an extremely passionate and tenacious advocate on behalf of Lethbridge College as well as on behalf of our community in general,” said Lethbridge Mayor Rajko Dodic.
And college employees, city officials and provincial leaders agree that her legacy will be lasting and that her work on projects both big and small have set Lethbridge College a well-charted course for success. Edwards’ bigger accomplishments are certainly better known. There was the renaming and rebranding of the college, the renovation of the Cousins Science Centre, the opening of the environmentally-friendly Kodiak House residence, the expansion of the school’s international recruiting and programming efforts, and impressive fundraising efforts from local donors and the provincial government.
But the smaller accomplishments are meaningful, too. Edwards was a faithful contributor to her well-read blog that gave a glimpse into life as a college president. She encouraged pride of place by making well-waxed floors and freshly painted walls a priority. She implemented a “corporate casual Friday” dress code that lets staff members set aside their suits and skirts one day each week.
Board Chair Randy Jespersen (Business ‘73) said all of these achievements – like Edwards herself – will be remembered for years to come.
“Tracy’s leadership has positively positioned Lethbridge College on the regional, provincial and national fronts,” said Jespersen in a communication to staff announcing Edwards’ departure. “In her time here, the college has seen award-winning and provincial and national accredited programming, an increased applied research agenda with national certifications …and two of the largest gifts in its history.
“And the pledge of $55.6 million from the [Alison] Redford government for the Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovation Project means Tracy is leaving a legacy for all to be proud of in the decades to come,” he added.
Edwards announced in April that she would step down as president of the college on June 30. The decision to leave was difficult, she said, but she felt strongly that it was a good time for her, and for the college, to move on. Before she left, she said she looked forward to a summer spent truly taking a break – a first for her in decades – and then planned to consider consulting work, writing or even pursuing another job.
Former University of Lethbridge President Bill Cade said the decision to leave the job of president of a postsecondary institution is not an easy one. But the timing is exceptionally important. “It’s not good if a president stays too long,” said Cade from his Texas home. “I always thought a president should stay for 10 years or less. I reallyadmire Tracy for making that decision.”
Cade, who left the university in 2010, and Edwards worked closely over the years. One of their most successful efforts was transitioning the nursing program to one where students spend their first two years on the college campus and their last two years at the university. “The college and the university have turned it into a very good program for both institutions and now it is a model of what other institutions can do,” Cade said.
Cade praised Edwards for her work changing the focus of the college’s board of governors from one that operated as managers to one that truly governs and guides.
“What Tracy brought was a skill of working with her board of governors,” said Cade. “I was really impressed with that. It took a lot of work to move the board in that direction. And Tracy always had some very good board members. You don’t get those kinds of community people coming forward unless you have a president who inspires them and gives them confidence.”
Former Lethbridge Mayor Bob Tarleck, who worked with Edwards until he left office in 2010, agreed that Edwards was an inspirational leader.
“Tracy Edwards came into Lethbridge like a Chinook and she came at a critical time,” Tarleck recalled. “She was full of energy and enthusiasm.”
Tarleck said Edwards used that energy to lead the college into new projects while nurturing ongoing priorities. These ranged from expanding the college’s presence in research to partnering with community members, industry and government, as the college has done for its new trades building.
“It’s ironic that just as she is leaving, the college has finally received assurance of funding for this new project that is a pivotal building for the future of the college,” Tarleck added.
Edwards said the day the college learned it would receive $55.6 million from the government for this long overdue project was one of the best days on the job.
“I’ve had lots of best days,” she recalled. “The day I got my Blackfoot name – the day we put the new sign out front – the day the money from the government was promised – they were all very good days.”
As for the difficult days, Edwards said “I think the Claresholm tragedy [in December 2011] was the worst for the institution.” But even in that time of sadness as the campus mourned the death of four young people and serious injury of a fifth, some encouraging aspects emerged.
“The way the community and college came together was amazing,” she said. “There was so much support.”
That kind of support has proved fruitful in other relationships the college nurtures, including those involving research, fundraising and government.
“The job of president is very different than it was even 10 or 15 years ago, particularly regarding donor and government relations,” Edwards recalled before leaving campus. “So much is about building relationships.”
While this is a newer aspect of the job, Edwards said the incoming president will be well-positioned because “in Alberta, the government is so accessible. You can pick up the phone and talk to your elected leaders. If you invite them to come to campus, they come.”
Rick Casson, the former MP for Lethbridge, was one of those elected leaders who frequently found himself on campus. He described the tours Edwards led as illuminating. He also vividly recalled the first time Edwards came to Ottawa. She was on her way to a conference and stopped in Ottawa to promote the college.
“As sometimes happens on Air Canada, she showed up but her luggage didn’t,” Casson said. “But she got where she needed to go, did her visiting in blue jeans and fit right in with my caucus colleagues. By the time she left – and had her luggage – everyone knew who the president of Lethbridge College was and had a great deal of respect for her.”
Many in the community and at the college said Edwards and her husband Les Ostrowski, who has also worked at the college in a variety of roles, will be missed.
“Tracy is a great example of a woman in a leadership role,” said Bridget Pastoor (Nursing ‘87), Lethbridge East’s MLA. “From her, I learned the importance of clear vision and focused attention to any endeavour, whether professional or personal. She was fun to be with and I will miss her. And I know that no matter where she ends up – it will be their gain.”
Her colleagues on campus agreed.
“Tracy is a woman of spirit and depth,” said Dianne Marcellus-Kerr (Secretarial Science ‘80), who worked as Edwards’ executive assistant from 2008 through her departure. “Believe it or not, I’ll miss emailing her at 6 a.m. from the inside of my hiking tent when I am on holidays. I’ll miss her sensibility and street wisdom, her insight and intuition, even her pool-playing talent. She always encouraged me and never forgot to send thanks my way.”
Edwards’ last day was marked with celebrations and good wishes throughout the college. The interim president, Peter Leclaire, will continue moving the college forward on its ambitious and well-conceived plans as the search committee finishes its work choosing a new leader for the college. And the new president might benefit from following Edwards’ advice.
“Get to know the place first,” she said. “Get to know its history. It’s a demanding job – and it’s hugely rewarding. Lethbridge College is a great place to be.”
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