November 24, 2005 Source: University of New Brunswick - Saint John:
http://www.unb.ca/news/view.cgi?id=917 UNBF Kinesiology Dean Lauds Future Healthy Living Village Plans November 24, 2005
UNB Fredericton News Release: D556
Brad Janes, Public Relations Officer (506) 458-7969 It was an innocent drive through campus over two decades ago, a drive that would alter Terry Haggerty’s life in many ways. Dr. Haggerty was simply visiting Fredericton, in town from Ontario as a tourist, when he pointed the nose of the car toward UNBF. "It was a nice sunny June day in the mid-1970s when I came upon the campus," he recalled. "I remember thinking ‘isn’t this place special?’ UNB was always in the back of my mind from that point on. It was the size of the university, its beauty and its history that were very attractive to me." It would take some time before he returned to UNBF, but when the Dean’s position of what was then known as the faculty of physical education and recreation opened, Dr. Haggerty made his move. "Some salmon, fiddleheads and potatoes later, we made the move," he said. "I was attracted by the integrated aspect of the faculty with its academic programs, campus recreation and interuniversity athletics. The culture of the Maritimes was also attractive." Dr. Haggerty arrived in Fredericton in 1991 and was re-appointed dean following his first term. However, during his second term, he was appointed founding dean of Renaissance College. "Being involved in the creation of an interdisciplinary program at Renaissance College was one of the best experiences of my life," Dr. Haggerty said. "It was such a dynamic learning experience." Still, after five years at Renaissance College, it was time to move on. Dr. Haggerty took a leave in Maui, Hawaii, to prepare for his return to UNBF, where he was to become a professor in the faculty of kinesiology with a cross-appointment to Renaissance College. "I was prepared to further my academic interests in the use and abuse of technology in sport and recreation as well as leadership development" he said. "Then I found out UNBF was committed to building new facilities for kinesiology that focused on holistic wellness. I saw this as a meaningful project that I fully believed in. I applied once again to serve as Dean." One of his colleagues suggested Dr. Haggerty had spent too much time in the Maui sun to make such a decision, but it was too good an opportunity to pass. Tanned, fit and relaxed in his office, Dr. Haggerty looks every bit the person prepared to tackle the kinesiology and UNBF challenge of establishing a Healthy Living Village on campus. Ground is expected to break in 2008 on campus to give UNBF its long-awaited and much anticipated wellness project. Had it not been for UNBF’s commitment to the Healthy Living Village, Dr. Haggerty probably would never have re-applied for the dean of kinesiology position. "I had done the job before so if it was going to be a deja-vu experience, I wasn’t interested," he said. "The Healthy Living Village was finally going to happen and that was such a great project. Maybe I could have come back and done my thing as a professor and said goodbye, but the wellness project was the hook." The possibilities that coincide with new buildings and facilities are almost endless. Enhanced space will allow the existing programs to prosper, new ones to come along and also enhance opportunities for the students when it comes to participating in athletics or campus recreation. New facilities will also go a long way in another critical component of UNBF’s kinesiology program. "There’s no question our Healthy Living Village will help in recruiting and retaining students and faculty," he said. "We currently have labs renovated from locker rooms and washrooms. We truly have outstanding people here, but first impressions are critical. We’re going to have something that retains the good people we have and attracts others." Haggerty lauded the work athletic director Kevin Dickie, campus recreation director Gansheng Xu, kinesiology director of graduate studies Wayne Albert, director of undergraduate studies Jeff Burkard, assistant dean Shirley Cleave and administrative assistant Linda O’Brien all help make things hum. There will be a day some years from now when Dr. Haggerty returns to Maui where he embraces the Aloha spirit and a physically active lifestyle. He plays golf, snorkels and canoes with the whales and sea turtles while living life to the fullest. For now, though, the Healthy Living Village is in his spirit at UNBF. - 30 -
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