June 12, 1998

From good hands to good hands

Lou Hyndman

Everyone knows about his accomplished resume, his posts in the provincial and federal government, his membership on various local and corporate boards, his active law practice with Field Atkinson Perraton.

But there's another side to the fifteenth chancellor of the University of Alberta.

He drives a 23-year-old Ford pick-up truck with the Senate license plate on the front. He lets his dog take him for walks. And the most recent book he read was "Snow falling on Cedars," by David Guterson. But what stands out most about Chancellor Lou Hyndman is his love and commitment to his alma mater.

"When I arrived here as an extremely quiet high school graduate, I got involved in debating, model parliament and as the arts representative on council," said Hyndman, whose post ended when Lois Hole took over June 9. "It was those activities plus my discipline that my studies in history, arts and law gave me. They trained me how to articulate in writing and orally what I believe.

"So I have to credit this university as the single most important reason for any success I might have had," said the former minister of education, minister of federal and intergovernmental affairs, government house leader and provincial treasurer. Twenty-six years after Hyndman was elected student union president, he returned to the campus as the ceremonial head of the university. When Hyndman first signed on as chancellor, one of his plans was to raise the university's profile in northern Alberta, the country and the continent. With the help of others, he has succeeded.

"Along with the president and chair of the Board of Governors, we've been able to enhance and raise the profile of the University of Alberta as an institution becoming indisputably recognized as a top flight place of unique excellence," said Hyndman. Former student union president Stephen Curran agrees. "Just being able to attach the university's name to Lou Hyndman's has helped. And even though he hasn't been a student here in years, he's sympathetic to students' needs."

Aside from his professionalism and hard work, Curran said another quality will always be associated with Hyndman.

"When he spoke to a crowd everyone seemed to hush and listen to what he had to say," said Curran. "He was a past [student union] president and student here but he spent most of his life in the political realm away from the school. Yet he was able to come back after 30 years and command that kind of respect. Few people can do that."

What Hyndman has also done is launch several initiatives during his time on campus. A $15,000 Chancellor's Scholarship and a $20,000 President's Scholarship were introduced during his term. Along with the registrar's office, he increased the degree of friendliness and sizzle to convocation ceremonies, making them so popular there are not enough seats for all who want to attend.

But what seems to give him the most pride is the increase in recruitment over the past few years. Finding the best and brightest students across the nation is beneficial for years to come, said Hyndman.

"What this does is enhance the profile of the university by giving it an even greater reputation for excellence," he said. "That attracts the best researchers, the best professors, the best teachers. When you have that you have a place people will want to attend. And that's a beginning."

For Hyndman, the U of A is also a family thing. His father, the late Louis Hyndman Sr., graduated from law in 1929. And his three children are alumni. His eldest daughter Jennifer is now assistant professor in human geography at Arizona State, his son Bruce an actor in Toronto, and Peter, his youngest, is in marketing in Edmonton. Hyndman's wife Mary is also an integral part of the U of A. She holds a U of A BA in languages and is now director of campus Services for Students with Disabilities.

"He is very grateful to have the opportunity to serve this institution," said Mary. "He holds the university very close to his heart. But I have no doubt he'll make this transition with ease."

She hopes to spend any extra time they now have on the golf course. He will soon find out if he enjoys the game as much as he did before his four-year term at the university.

"I found this to be the best volunteer job in the province," said Hyndman. "I don't have a single regret. And I'm so excited about the upcoming chancellorship of Lois Hole. She is a person with special talent and energy, a leader who would be exactly the right person at the right time as we move into the next century," he said. "I'm really excited about her potential."

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