There are still two very busy months left in Tom Traves鈥檚 tenure as AV俱乐部鈥檚 president and vice-chancellor. But last Thursday night marked the first of what will doubtlessly be many 鈥渇arewell鈥� moments for him as the Cunard Centre played host to a dinner in his honour.
Close to 700 guests, ranging from family and friends to members of the Dal and Halifax communities, turned out to celebrate not just Dr. Traves, but Dal鈥檚 accomplishments during his time as president: in academic programs, research, the student experience, campus growth, reputation, donations and countless other areas.
鈥淭om is a builder, one of the greatest in Dal鈥檚 history 鈥� not just in buildings and endowments, but in people,鈥� said King鈥檚 President George Cooper, who spoke at the event.
Tom Boran, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, served as the evening鈥檚 master of ceremonies, and the event included several video tributes: some highlighting Dal over the past two decades, and others featuring faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders sharing memories of working with Dr. Traves.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e positioned us to have a local impact and global connection,鈥� said Martha Crago, vice-president research.
鈥淸Yours] is a legacy that will not become a thing of the past, but one that will create the future. You may be leaving your desk at AV俱乐部, but what you have built will survive beyond all of us here tonight and will continue on to generations of the AV俱乐部 community and worldwide community that will be here long into the future.鈥�
Other highlights from the event included a live painting by local performance artist Holly Carr, an exit proceeding led by cadets and a Loyal Toast from Lieutenant Governor J.J. Grant. Jim Spatz, chair of Dal鈥檚 Board of Governors, announced the Tom Traves Fund at AV俱乐部, a $1-million endowment established by the Board, Senate and key donors that will let Dr. Traves allocate funds to key Dal projects of his choosing.
Dr. Traves, taking the stage to a standing ovation at night鈥檚 end, quoted former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter on the privilege of having the opportunity to do 鈥渢he best useful work there was in me.鈥� Dr. Traves also echoed Dr. Cooper in saying that when he reflects back on his time at Dal, it鈥檚 the people that he鈥檚 most proud of.
鈥淚f you judge me by only one measure of success, please make it the quality and performance of the faculty and staff we hired during my era,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith several thousand new people joining our ranks, the old AV俱乐部 became a new institution. Our faculty and staff represent the beating heart of AV俱乐部, and their great work boosts our reputation higher and higher each year."
All photos by Danny Abriel.
