Monday April 8, 2024 | COLWOOD, BC [Last updated April 26, 2024]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Former Royal Roads President Allan Cahoon has passed away on April 5, 2024 at the age of 78 (November 9, 1945 – April 5, 2024).
Allan Cahoon, PhD, served as the third president at Royal Roads University (RRU). He served two terms as Royal Roads President and Vice-Chancellor: from 2007 through 2017 (reappointed in 2012 for the further five years) and serving into 2018.
Royal Roads University posted that news in social media today: “It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Allan Cahoon, RRU’s third president and vice-chancellor. An admired leader and educator, his time here was marked by a deep commitment to students and passion for fostering inclusivity and diversity. In his remembrance, the flag on Hatley Castle will be flown at half-mast until sunset on April 13.”
The cause of death has not been made public.
Reception April 21:
A come-and-go reception to celebrate Allan will be held at Hatley Castle on the Royal Roads University Campus, 2005 Sooke Road in Colwood on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 2 pm to 4 pm. Donations to the Allan Cahoon Scholarship Fund at Royal Roads University will be graciously accepted. [Update April 26, 2024: staff at RRU say the reception was privately organized and well attended.]
Personal life:
Cahoon was born in Cardston Alberta then relocated with his family to Calgary in 1957, where he graduated from high school before serving a mission in Chile, where he learned to speak, read and write Spanish. He obtained a BA in history and political science and an MSc in International Administration from Brigham Young University, before obtaining a PhD in Organizational Theory and Development from the University of Syracuse at the age of 29.
He is described in his obituary as “a loyal and loving companion and life partner, a generous and reliable provider, and a supportive father and grandfather, his subtle humour, impishness, intellect, exceeding optimism, smile, and laugh will be truly missed. We bid Allan a loving farewell, and wish him comfort and peace”.
“Outside of his teaching career, Allan was involved in multiple business ventures during the 80’s and 90’s, including a restaurant, a queer country and western nightclub, and a travel agency catering to the LGBTQ community. Some were successful, while others were learning experiences. Allan contained multitudes. He achieved a level of status and reward usually reserved for those adhering to convention while also living an off-script life,” his obituary states.
“Allan cherished his family and friends and always gave them the best of himself. A loyal and loving companion and life partner, a generous and reliable provider, and a supportive father and grandfather.”
Career profile:
Allan Cahoon had a strong career-long interest in internationalization. From 1996 to 1998, as director of the International Business Division at the University of Calgary, Cahoon was successful in developing a number of international business initiatives.
In 2002, Cahoon moved to the University of Regina, where he held the position of Vice-President, Research and International. In 2006, Cahoon was appointed Acting President and served in that role until 2007.
Cahoon served as VP (Canada) for the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE) and was elected President in 2014 through 2917. He was a visiting professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico UNAM, Monash University (Mount Eliza Management School) in Australia, Yamaguchi University in Japan and the International Management Center (Central Europe University) in Hungary.
As well, Cahoon held teaching appointments at the University of Saskatchewan, Simon Fraser University and Syracuse University. He was adjunct professor at the Tianjin Open, Hunan University and Nankai Universities in China and emeritus professor at the University of Calgary.
Local Statements:
- “Royal Roads president Allan Cahoon, dedicated 11 remarkable years to RRU, leaving an indelible mark on our institution. His legacy resonates through our commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives, shaping a more equitable campus for all. My heartfelt condolences extend to his family, loved ones, and the entire Royal Roads community during this time of mourning.” ~ Philip Steenkamp, President Royal Roads University
- “Allan Cahoon was an admired leader and educator, and his commitment to diversity and inclusion helped shape a more welcoming campus for all. Allan’s legacy lives on through the many lives he touched. My sincere condolences to his family and the Royal Roads community.” ~ Mitzi Dean, MLA (Esquimalt-Metchosin)
- “Sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Allan Cahoon, former multi-term President of @RoyalRoads. Allan was always friendly to me. One of those people who when speaking with you, it felt like you were the only one in the room.” ~ Dallas Gislason
Changes after Cahoon:
The time during which Cahoon was president saw the beginnings of expansion and greater collaboration of various levels of education in the west shore as he worked to welcome some input from the broader community.
When Steenkamp came in as Royal Roads president in 2018 two of the first things he did was to remove the military barbed wire that had remained on the rock walls around the campus and undertook a mission to reform the colonial lawn and garden into a food-growing garden.
===== RELATED:
- Royal Roads response to federal cap on International students (January 28, 2024)
- Dr Philip Steenkamp continues the journey at Royal Roads (July 20, 2023)
- TD Bank Group donates $196,000 to Royal Roads food-growing initiatives (May 30, 2023)
- Foundational day for Royal Roads West Shore campus (February 1, 2023)