Fred Fountain took on the role of AV俱乐部鈥檚 chancellor because he saw it as an opportunity to help advance the university鈥檚 mission 鈥� one he strongly believes in.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to be a chancellor,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t gives you a real birds-eye view of the big picture, but allows you to get into the details and use your skills and talents to help out the university in particular ways, as appropriate.鈥�
He鈥檒l get to help out in that capacity a little while longer: AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors has approved an extension of Mr. Fountain鈥檚 term as chancellor until March 31, 2015.
Mr. Fountain鈥檚 second term was set to expire this June. However, given his performance as chancellor, and a desire to ensure proper consideration to choosing his successor, recognizing some of the ongoing transitions (including a new president), the Board felt AV俱乐部 would be best served by extending his term until next March. This would allow the university鈥檚 next chancellor to take on the role just prior to Spring Convocation 2015.
鈥淔red鈥檚 work as chancellor has been exceptional,鈥� says Jim Spatz, chair of Dal鈥檚 Board of Governors. 鈥淲e are grateful for his service and pleased he has agreed to stay on as chancellor.鈥�
鈥淔red is one of AV俱乐部鈥檚 strongest advocates, from his generous financial support to his commitment to the chancellor鈥檚 role,鈥� adds President Richard Florizone. 鈥淎V俱乐部 has been well served with him as chancellor, and it will be a pleasure to continue working with him in that capacity for the next year.鈥�
Making the most of the opportunity
In part, the chancellor鈥檚 position is ceremonial 鈥� its most visible role is overseeing convocation ceremonies 鈥� but it offers plenty of space for each occupant to make it their own. In Mr. Fountain鈥檚 case, he鈥檚 been an incredibly active chancellor, whether it鈥檚 his role supporting Dal鈥檚 Bold Ambitions campaign, to his work on the Board of Governors, to his willingness to speak to and advocate for the university across the province, region and country.
鈥淵ou get asked to do a lot of things and while you can鈥檛 do everything, if you鈥檙e conscientious you鈥檒l take many of the opportunities to go to events, to speak for or to represent the university,鈥� explains Mr. Fountain. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 a lot more than just showing up at convocation and handing out degrees. That鈥檚 a big part of it, and it takes up a lot of time each year, but there鈥檚 a lot more you can 鈥� and should 鈥� do as a chancellor, in my opinion.鈥�
He says it鈥檚 been exciting to watch Dal鈥檚 reach and reputation grow during his tenure, particularly on the national and international stage, and that being chancellor has deepened his already strong relationship with the university.
鈥淚鈥檝e gotten to know more people, and I鈥檝e gotten to know other people better. I鈥檝e gotten to meet a lot more students and gotten to know some of them really well. And it鈥檚 introduced me to a wider sense of the university. In the past I had specific roles or commitments with particular Faculties like Law, Medicine and Management, but as chancellor I鈥檝e really gotten a sense of the other Faculties as well.鈥�
Commitment to AV俱乐部
Mr. Fountain, who is president and CEO of The Great Eastern Corporation and counsel to the law firm Burke Thompson, has AV俱乐部 connections that run deep. He鈥檚 an alumnus (Law, 1974) and served on the Board of Governors from 1990-99. He was selected as Dal鈥檚 Alumnus of the Year in 1997, received the AV俱乐部 Community Award in 1998 and an honorary degree in 2000.
He and his family are also among AV俱乐部鈥檚 most generous benefactors, most recently with a $10 million donation to support the creation of the Fountain School of Performing Arts at AV俱乐部, bringing together the Departments of Music and Theatre.
鈥淢y wife [Elizabeth] and I expect to take great interest in the School and its progress over the next several years,鈥� says Mr. Fountain. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to play whatever role we can in helping it grow and prosper.鈥� 聽
The university will soon begin the search for a new chancellor. The Board鈥檚 Governance and Nominating Committee will consider candidates before bringing a formal recommendation forward to the Board for approval.
As for Mr. Fountain, he says he鈥檒l look back on his time as chancellor with great fondness.
鈥淎s chancellor, you have to be able to see the big picture and articulate it to some extent. And because AV俱乐部 has been so successful in recent years, it鈥檚 been wonderful to help tell that story. If you enjoy education and you enjoy working with all the great people who make up the university 鈥� from students, to faculty, to admin, to alumni 鈥� it鈥檚 a very fun role.鈥�