Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, September 2019

John Meagher: An Early Leader in the Evolution of Two

Vancouver Island Colleges
In 1971 I was teaching at a private
college in Vancouver when I noticed
an article in a newspaper about a
new college about to open in
Victoria. Being in my late twenties
and still single, I had no reason to
stay in Vancouver. Also, I was
excited by the idea of being part of
what was then a very new public
college system in the province. I
applied for a position teaching
English at Camosun College.

The interviews took place in

Vancouver, and I remember being
dismayed by the huge number of
people lined up, seemingly around
the block. I was not optimistic about John and Pam Meagher
my chances, but the interview
seemed to go reasonably well.
Weeks passed, however, and I heard nothing, so
I decided to contact the college. I eventually
tracked down a home phone number for Lloyd
Morin, who had been involved in my interview.
He was surprised they had not heard back from
me, as they had offered me a position. He
informed me the English department was
meeting later that week to plan for the Fall
semester and encouraged me to attend if I was
still interested.

The following Friday I met with the department,

the people who were to become my friends and
colleagues for the next two decades. After the
meeting, I tracked down the individual
responsible for sending out the job offers. A
charming lady (who will remain nameless to
protect the guilty) informed me my letter was on
her desk, as it had been mailed without postage
and returned.
John in the late ‘70s
My entire future turned on that chance phone call!
 Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, September 2019

Those first few teaching years were absolutely wonderful. It was my great good fortune
to share an office in the Young Building with Sheila Prins, who soon became my role
model, the epitome of what a fledgling English instructor should strive to emulate.

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, and also, for a few years, serving as department
Coordinator. In 1980/81, I decided to take a year off to pursue a graduate degree in
Educational Administration at the University of Victoria. As luck would have it, as I was
completing this degree, Pat Floyd decided to make a career change, and I was
successful in achieving the position of Dean of Liberal and Applied Arts. The next
decade was exciting, challenging, and hugely rewarding. Dale Mosher had recently
joined the college as Pat’s Administrative Assistant, and she became an invaluable
partner in handling the administrative duties of our office. (Later, at North Island College,
I was fortunate to have Dale come and help me administer the new Courtenay Campus
for a year).

During the 1980’s, the Liberal and Applied Arts division included an eclectic mix of
programs. Along with the traditional humanities and social science disciplines, and the
applied programs of Visual Arts, Criminal Justice, and
Applied Communications, there were all the specialized
access programs: Adult Basic Education, Special Education,
ESL along with a variety of programs funded on a short term
basis. Many of these were upgrading programs offered for
First Nations students. In the late 1980’s, International
Education was added to the division, bringing many
fascinating new challenges. There are too many valued
colleagues from those years to list them here, but I must
single out one person.
Probably my most inspired
administrative contribution
while Dean was to
persuade Barb Latham,
then happily ensconced in
Barb Latham in the 1980’s her teaching role, to apply
for the freshly minted
position of Associate Dean.
Barb brought to the position exciting new ideas and a
contagious energy, and I value her continued
friendship immensely.

A huge advantage for me during those years was

being part of an administrative team led by President
Lloyd Morin. I suspect the fact that after almost thirty
years, seven of us still regularly get together for lunch,
says much more than I can put into words just how
much each of us valued that period in our careers.

John, just before departing for NIC in

1990
 Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, September 2019

In 1990 I was asked by Neil Murphy, who had

recently taken on the role of President of
North Island College, to join his administrative
team, and thus began a whole new chapter in
my career. During my tenure, NIC, under
Neil’s strong leadership, transitioned from a
primarily distance education institution to a
more traditional college with facilities and
programs suited to the various regions being
served. Three new campuses were
established in the communities of Courtenay/
Comox, Port Alberni, and Campbell River. I
consider myself extremely fortunate to have
participated in the development of two “new”
colleges and to have played a key role on
Neil’s administrative team. This period as
Vice President of NIC was unquestionably the
most satisfying of my professional career.

During my time at NIC, we were sometimes

jokingly referred to as Camosun North, as
John celebrating a birthday at NIC
several former colleagues (Bev Cooper, in 1995
Susan Toresdahl, Jim Hooton, Patty Beatty-
Guenter, Coby Herrington, Dale, to name just
a few) were enticed to join us.

In 1997, I decided to take early retirement so my

wife, Pam, and I returned to Victoria. Having
started this piece with a story about my almost-
disastrous job-offer experience, I will end with
another, happier tale. When I left Camosun for
my new position, Dale and others organized a
going away party for me. Dale called Pam to
see what I might like as a gift. Pam suggested
something golf-related. I had never played golf
nor expressed any interest in it, but Pam thought
it might be something we should try. I am sure I
must have looked a little surprised when
presented with a lovely golf bag, a putter and a
certificate for some lessons. Still, I was
determined to give it a try. It was love at first
shank, and golf has been an abiding passion
during my retirement years. Pam and I joined
the Victoria Golf Club when we returned from the
Comox valley, and I have continued to play

John and Pam golfing at their

California timeshare, 2006
 Excerpted from CCARE Newsletter, September 2019

several times a week ever since.

Ten years ago we down-sized, selling our home in Cadboro Bay and moving to a condo
in the same area. Then two years ago we decided to go back to a house, and are now
in a lovely home in Gordon Head with studio space above the garage for Pam to enjoy
her drawing and painting. Camosun remains very much part of our lives as well as our
memories, as living in Victoria happily provides opportunities to get together
occasionally with former friends and colleagues.

John with other members of Camosun’s 1980’s Administrative Council

Clockwise around the table: Keith Batemen, John Meagher, Beryl Hastings, Lloyd Morin, Pat
Floyd, Brian Killip, Neil Murphy