Professor Crowther AM to retire
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will lose a brilliant mind on Friday 7 July 2006, when the University's Faculty of Education Dean and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Regional Engagement and Social Justice) retires.
Professor Frank Crowther AM was the principal architect of the IDEAS Project (Innovative Designs for Enhancing the Achievements of Schools) – a school revitalisation program that has achieved national and international recognition.
In October 2004, Professor Crowther was a finalist in the Education category of The Bulletin's Smart 100 Australians. He has authored eight published books and won several significant awards for his contributions to the teaching profession in Australia and overseas.
Professor Crowther said he is feeling a sense of anticipation, satisfaction and relief as he approaches his retirement.
'I am anticipating, as my wife is, starting a whole new phase in our lives - we don't see the next phase as retirement, we see it as the next phase.
'I am feeling a level of satisfaction because my recent AM award proves that a lot of the things I have done I have done well.
'And relief because almost all my professional life I have spent living at the edge – I have challenged the status quo consistently and there is a sense of relief that I have had more successes than failures. The Faculty of Education is now an exceptionally vibrant place.'
Professor Crowther said he is also pleased to have impacted the University as a whole, through his role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Regional Engagement and Social Justice).
As part of this position, Professor Crowther has overseen the establishment of the Student Equity Office, USQ Multicultural Centre, the Toowoomba Education Coalition and the Transnational Pedagogy (learning and teaching) Group.
With nearly 34 years of Management and Administration under his belt, Professor Crowther has developed an effective, but simple strategy for managing people.
'We have a lot of leaders in our community and we need to recognise their strengths and give people opportunities. I think they get satisfaction out of what they do as leaders, as well as creating a wider range of ideas than otherwise happen.
'And my role as a Senior Administrator is to match people with jobs and facilitate their work.'
Professor Crowther and his wife are looking forward to renovating their home and travelling during their retirement. Professor Crowther will continue to contribute to the IDEAS Project and undertake some international consultancy work.
Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326