W. Robert Wood – Provost

Bob Wood, Ph.D. is a theoretical physicist. He earned his B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics and M.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Saskatchewan in 1982 and 1986, respectively, and his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics (1992) from the University of Regina. He was a Research Fellow at the University of Lethbridge (1985-86). He is the author/co-author of more than 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

Bob joined the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at Trinity Western University immediately upon completion of his Ph.D. During his first ten years at TWU, he was the Coordinator of Physics and served on multiple committees/councils including the Undergraduate Academic Council, the Tenure and Promotion Committee, and the Faculty Affairs Committee. In the last ten years, he has held various academic administrative positions including Assistant Academic Dean, Associate Academic Vice President, and Vice Provost.

Robert and his wife Marlene have four children and one grandson.

Kevin Sawatsky – Vice-Provost

Kevin Sawatsky, J.D. holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria. He has served on the School of Business faculty at Trinity Western University since 1993. He was named Dean of the School of Business in June, 2001 and served in that role until June, 2008. He currently teaches three MBA courses (Legal Issues for Charitable Organizations, The Legal Environment of Business and Canadian and International Business Law). Kevin has published extensively in the area of charities and human rights.

Kevin has also practiced law since being called to the bar of British Columbia in 1993. He served as part of the legal team providing counsel for TWU at the Supreme Court of Canada in a successful case defending fundamental principles of religious freedom.

Sheldon Loeppky – Associate Provost

Sheldon Loeppky, M.A. joined Trinity Western in 1995 and has filled numerous roles and positions of increasing scope and responsibility with the University. He has served as Resident Director (95-98), Director of Residence Life (98-99), Director of Community Life (99-03) and Dean of Students (03-07). In 2002, Sheldon relocated to Ottawa for five months to assist in the design and launch of TWU’s Laurentian Leadership Centre. He currently serves as Associate Provost (07-present), providing leadership and oversight to Student Life, Campus Services and University Enterprises. He is a current member on TWU’s University Finance Board, President’s Cabinet and Deans Council, chairs TWU’s Administrative Council for Student Life, Campus Planning and Student Accountability committees, co-chairs TWU’s Student Engagement and Recreation Enhancement committees and has served on many others. Prior to joining TWU, Sheldon completed a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling from Providence College & Seminary and obtained six years of hotel and restaurant management experience with Radisson Hotels & Resorts International.

Philip G. Laird – Associate Provost

Philip G. Laird, Ph.D. earned his BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 1990, his MA in Social/Developmental Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2003, and his Ph.D. in Psychology with a special designation in Psychology and the Law in 1997 from Simon Fraser University.

Phil joined the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Trinity Western University in 1995 and served as a faculty member in Psychology conducting research on moral reasoning, moral attributions, and jury decision-making. During his first seven years at TWU, he served on multiple committees/councils including the Faculty Affairs Executive, Academic Technology Committee, Mediated Learning Taskforce and TWEST Council. He transitioned to University Administration in 2001 as the Director of the Global Mediated Learning Center and has subsequently held various academic administrative positions including Dean of Global Learning Connections and Associate Provost. Leading many new initiatives at TWU, Phil currently provides leadership to nontraditional learning programs and students including online and mediated learning programs, summer sessions, adult professional programs, and global education programs.

 

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