Charles Pender, educator, administrator and former municipal politician, has been appointed director of the newly established Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Secretariat.

The appointment was announced June 28 by Dr. Christopher W. Loomis, president and vice-chancellor pro tempore, in his capacity as chair of the Task Force on a Renewed Governance Structure for Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.

The task force is mandated to undertake the important work related to academics, administration and finance, research, and communications and nomenclature that will mark a new era for Grenfell College, Memorial University’s campus in Corner Brook.

The secretariat reports to the task force and has been created to augment the administrative and planning capacity at Memorial’s west coast campus, including student recruitment.

“I welcome Mr. Pender to Memorial,” said Dr. Loomis. “We’re pleased that we’ve found someone of his experience and capability to help us manage through this period of change. Our goal continues to be to grow enrolment and research capacity at Grenfell and to reinforce the west coast campus’s place as a vital and strong part of Memorial University.”

Charles Pender is an alumnus of Memorial University with a master’s degree in education. He has a deep interest in and knowledge of both Sir Wilfred Grenfell College and Corner Brook, having served as mayor of the city.

He has held many other leadership positions in the community, demonstrating the ability to carry out long-term visionary projects. He has also served as a volunteer on numerous boards and helped guide large-scale projects in the region including the Canada Winter Games and development of the Corner Brook Ports Corp. He brings to the new role familiarity with educational institutions, having served as an administrator in the secondary school system and as a student and employee in the postsecondary system.

Mr. Pender commences his new duties as director of the Grenfell College Secretariat on Aug. 9.

Dr. Loomis added that the task force is also in the process of staffing the other positions on the Secretariat in the areas of finance and administration and communications and expects to announce the remainder of the new team soon.