Moncton – Fawcett to complete service after 14 years. Knowles to serve as Interim President.
At a meeting Friday afternoon, President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Bruce Fawcett announced to Crandall University’s faculty and staff that he had notified the Board of Governors last fall of his intention to complete his service as President on August 14, 2026.
Reflecting upon this impending change in leadership, the Chair of the Board of Governors, Mr. Doug Schofield, said that “Dr. Fawcett is one of the University’s longest-serving Presidents. His 14 years in this role have been a period of phenomenal growth for the University amid a turbulent post-secondary environment in our country. He has worked hard to take Crandall University to a new level of prominence and financial health. We are grateful for his creative and tireless leadership.”
During Dr. Fawcett’s years as President and Vice Chancellor, student enrollment nearly tripled to about 2,000 students. The operating budget more than tripled, all debt was paid off, and over $16 million was invested in campus facilities, completing all due maintenance and needed upgrades. The endowment more than doubled in size. New records were set for fundraising, and tuition was frozen for at least four consecutive years for all academic programs. Several hundred new scholarships and bursaries were made available to students as were many new academic programs and delivery models. Approximately 50 new full-time faculty and staff positions were created. A second teaching site opened, and significant investments were made in student life, including chapel, athletics, campus housing, and student mental health. Crandall welcomed students from more than 75 countries, meaning that the student body in addition to the employee base has become much more racially and ethnically diverse.
“I believe that we have completed a significant chapter in the life of the University and that I have accomplished what I was called here to do,” commented Dr. Fawcett. “I am grateful for the support of our donors, our Board, and our faculty and staff who have all worked hard to see Crandall reach this new level of growth and health. I have found these 14 years very rewarding as I’ve had the opportunity to continue to invest in emerging generations. My wife, Penny, and I look forward to some time for rest and travelling and then to further service in the years ahead.”
To support the transition and allow time for a comprehensive presidential search the Board of Governors has unanimously appointed Dr. Robert Knowles as Interim President and Vice Chancellor. Dr. Fawcett commented, “I am so pleased that they have selected Dr. Robert Knowles, who is eminently qualified, to take on this responsibility.”
Mr. Schofield added, “Dr. Knowles currently serves as Executive Vice President and Vice President for Advancement. He has served at the University at the vice presidential level for nearly 14 years and prior to that served on both the Board of Governors and the Senate. We are very pleased to have a seamless transition from Dr. Fawcett to Dr. Knowles, and we look forward to steady leadership and continued momentum in the future.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr. Knowles said “I am happy to be asked by the Board of Governors to continue to add value to my alma mater in this way. It is a great honour to serve in the same role my grandfather, Dr. Myron Brinton, did back in the 1950s, and I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, donors, and Board to strengthen all that has been built in previous decades.”
The Board of Governors is in the early stages of initiating a search for a permanent President and Vice Chancellor, with plans to make further announcements in the months to come.
