‘… a strange feeling to leave’
Wall moves on to new career challenge

May 7, 2010

By Bev Fast

Howie Wall, director of operations and maintenance in the Facilities Management Division (FMD), has spent his entire career with the University of Saskatchewan. Now, he is resigning to take over as president of Bethany College, a private bible college in Hepburn.

“I’ve been on the U of S campus for 32 years, first as a student and then as a staff member, so it’s a strange feeling to leave,” he says.

Wall joined the U of S shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1981. As assistant residence manager, he spent 12 years dealing with “all things related to student life.” He also continued his U of S education, working part-time and evenings on an MBA in order to broaden his career horizons. The strategy paid off when he moved to Audit Services in 1993.

“My job was to look at ways to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness,” he says. “We brought a problem-solving approach to improving controls and accountability.”

Over the next 10 years, Wall worked with units and colleges across campus; he also worked on special projects, such as the construction audit on the Canadian Light Source. His experience led to an 18-month term with the Financial Services Division, where he managed a number of large, multi-faceted projects. In 2004, he moved into his current position in FMD.

“I had spent a number of years consulting and advising on operational issues. I wanted to be part of managing operations again, putting things into action,” Wall says. The position offers the scope to do just that.

“I’m responsible for overseeing campus facilities, grounds, infrastructure and operation. I lead a diverse team of 400 people who have a lot of skills, a lot of passion. They ensure the campus is a great place to live and work.”

Wall leaves with many good memories. He still marvels at a career in which he could be meeting with the university president on high level strategic issues in the morning and working with clerical staff on an operational process in the afternoon. But mostly he will remember the sense of community.

He and his wife Judy, who also works on campus, cherish the support the U of S community showed when their 24-year-old son Michael died in 2008. “He had struggled with bipolar disorder all his life. When he died, people didn’t avoid the issue. They were supportive and engaged, and that helped us engage with others,” Wall says.

Looking back, Wall sees his career at the U of S as a chance to live his principles. “My job has always been to support, to serve and to empower others so they can do their jobs – enabling and empowering, those are key values in my life.” n

Bev Fast is a Saskatoon freelance writer