Dr. Martha C. Piper - photo by Martin Dee UBC Reports | Vol. 52 | No. 6 |
Jun. 1, 2006
Martha Piper: Random Thoughts on a Retiring President
There is a small and exclusive group of UBC employees who are so close to the outgoing president that they actually refer to her as “Dr. Piper,” “President Piper” or, reverentially, “The President.” These are the staffers who are most directly responsible for representing Martha Piper, for protecting the honour of her office and the order of her calendar. But even these people relent when she enters the room: the boss will tolerate only one title: “Martha.”
Now, as “The President” readies to step down from that lofty position after nine packed years, a group of friends and colleagues, mentors and proteges offer a reminiscence. You’ll notice, in every reference, that the President has become precisely what she always wanted to be: “Just Martha.”
Interviews by Richard Littlemore
Brad Bennett
Chair, UBC Board of Governors
“I was on the OUC (Okanagan University College) board when I first met Martha.
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Jeffrey Simpson
Globe and Mail Columnist
“Martha Piper was one of three or four university presidents who, during the Chretien and Martin governments were very, very instrumental in helping to shape policies that produced a great benefit for post-secondary research infrastructure.
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Don Avison
Former Deputy Minister of Advanced Education and Current President of the University Presidents Council
“I only took this job because Martha Piper (Simon Fraser University President) Jack Blaney and (University of Northern B.C. President) Chuck Jago had such a clear vision of where they wanted to see post-secondary education go in this province.
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