From the moment he met Vianne Timmons 35 years ago, Stuart Mason knew she was a go-getter.
It was in a small bar in Castlegar in southern British Columbia, where the two were living at the time — she was teaching and he was training as an undercover cop. She was sitting at a table with three other women, but eventually joined Mason and his friend.
“She likes to tell the story that my friend was better looking than me,” Mason said laughing.
“But as the night progressed and we were dancing, I remember looking at her and saying to her, ‘I’m going to marry you some day.’”
His prediction came true.
Three years later, they tied the knot.
At their wedding in New Glasgow, N.S. — where Timmons had lived for much of her youth, about 80 kilometres from Mason’s hometown of Tangier — Mason made another prediction.
“I was doing the toast to the bride and I told the people that I’ve watched Vianne in action with all kinds of people,” he said. “I told them to just watch what she does. I knew she’d go on to do great things.”
He wasn’t kidding. Her resumé and many accomplishments could never be summed up in a paragraph.
Timmons — who was born in Kitimat, B.C., but spent most of her childhood in Labrador City before her family moved to Nova Scotia when she was a teenager — holds several degrees, including a PhD from the University of Calgary. She has taught as well as conducted research focusing on family literacy and inclusive education.
An author of nine books, she’s held several high-ranking academic positions and has received several prestigious honours, including Canada’s Top 100 most powerful women, a humanitarian award from the Canadian Red Cross, and the first Gender and Leadership in Higher Education Award.
In 2017, she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for her lifetime contributions to inclusive education, family literacy, Indigenous post-secondary education and women’s leadership.
Wednesday was her first day officially on the job as the 13th president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University in St. John’s, coming from the University of Regina, where she had served as president since 2008 and garnered much praise for her achievements there. They include record student enrolment growth, an increase in the diversity of students, faculty and staff, a balanced budget each year, increased research funding and scope, and the restoration of many buildings and areas of the university.
“I can tell you, when we moved to Regina 11 ½ years ago, the university was in a downward spiral, to say the least, but Vianne accomplished so much …,” said Mason, who said Timmons was known for her close connection to faculty, students and the community.
“But she turned it around. She did things, like getting foot baths built for the Muslim students. That sends a message around the globe that this is a university that respects culture.”
Timmons’ career has meant they’ve lived in several provinces over the years and have often vacationed in this one. Mason admits he had hoped his wife would retire early, but was overjoyed to hear about the opportunity at MUN.
“When the prospect of her going to Newfoundland came up, I was elated,” he said. “I thought this was the crowning achievement. …
“We really can’t wait to live there, and I know Vianne is going to do a great job at Memorial University. She’s really looking forward to the challenge.”
Timmons — who affectionately calls her husband “quite the character” — welcomed a return to her home province, where her father and both her grandfathers were miners.
“I just love it here,” said Timmons, who arrived 12 days ago. “I’ve lived in six provinces, but this place is where I call home.”
She said the first thing on her to-do list is to learn more about the province and the university community and to develop a five-year strategic plan. She’s aiming to get a good understanding of maintenance and infrastructure issues and determine how to tackle them. She sees challenges, but also great potential.
“Memorial University is unique in the country in the way the community owns it. The community feels like MUN is so important, and I sensed that from the moment I got here, when I came for my interview. Everyone watches and pays attention to what happens at Memorial,” she said
“Memorial is a big economic driver for the province. So, my role is, first of all, to be the biggest advocate for the university, but also to get the message out that we’re an economic driver and celebrate the accomplishments of the people here and make sure that the environment is enabling so that our faculty and staff can do great things.”
Timmons is taking on the new role at a difficult time.
Besides having to make the transition during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the university to switch to remote instruction, she is arriving as the province is experiencing an economic downturn and the university has faced budget cuts.
“There are a lot of interesting challenges. … But I’m looking forward to looking at innovative ways to make sure we can continue to invest economically in the province,” said Timmons, adding that partnering with the provincial and federal governments will be crucial.
“Other universities in the country have experienced cutbacks, too, but Memorial has taken a number of sustained, frequent cutbacks,” she said. “So, I’m hoping we can get to a point of stability and then look at growth.”
Timmons will first have to finish her period of quarantine. Her 14-day stint ends Sunday. She’s looking forward to spending time with her family before getting to work.
Timmons and Mason have four children — three daughters and a son — and three grandchildren. Two of their daughters, along with the family’s two dogs, will also live here.
Mason is still in Regina and plans to leave next week to drive to St. John’s. He knows his wife is anxious to hit the ground running at MUN.
“This isolation is killing her. She’s like a dog in a kennel,” Mason said, laughing. “I was FaceTiming her and I could see it in her eyes.
“But I know she can’t wait to get going. I told you — just watch her.”
@TelyRosie
