Dr. Louise Spiteri appreciates an efficient meeting, as any colleague who has served on Dalhousie鈥檚 Senate during her four years as chair can attest.
So when an unanticipated item surfaced on the agenda during her final Senate meeting in the role earlier this month, it caught her off guard and hinted at something more than a simple oversight.
"I didn't see that coming," she said, with a mix of surprise and amusement. "They are doing something behind my back. How devious."
The subject of the surprise? None other than Dr. Spiteri herself.
The secretly planned tribute, organized by staff from the University Secretariat, included remarks from university and Senate leaders as well as the presentation of a plaque honouring Dr. Spiteri鈥檚 service.
A legacy of steady leadership
During her time as chair 鈥� which began as interim chair in 2021 before being appointed for a three-year term in 2022 鈥� Dr. Spiteri was known for her steady leadership, impressive work ethic, and an ability to keep meetings on track, even when they grew heated.
"She brought calm when the room was tense, clarity when the path was muddy, and a backbone that belied her small frame," said Dr. Maria Pacurar, an associate professor of finance and vice-chair of Senate for student affairs.
She brought calm when the room was tense, clarity when the path was muddy
Even when the two disagreed on something, Dr. Pacurar says Dr. Spiteri鈥檚 perspective always stemmed from a sense of duty and care for Dalhousie.
听鈥淗er values, her judgement, her sense of fairness were always exactly what they needed to be,鈥� she said.
With nearly 100 members, including elected members from Faculties, reps from campus caucuses and councils, elected student reps, senior administrators, Senate leaders and others, the work of Senate can easily become complex.
John Hope, general counsel and university secretary at Dal, noted that Dr. Spiteri鈥檚 behind-the-scenes efforts were instrumental in ensuring Senate meetings ran smoothly. He emphasized her fairness and the thoughtful preparation she brought to each session.
Dr. Spiteri at work. (Nick Pearce photo)
He also praised her as a 鈥渟trong voice鈥� for Senate on the Board of Governors and her support for Secretariat colleagues.
"We've come to know that Louise is a very caring and thoughtful colleague, somebody who genuinely does care about how the team is doing and is always willing to step in to help as needed," he said.
A fond farewell
Dr. Spiteri first joined Senate close to a decade ago as a representative from the Faculty of Management, where she is a professor of Information Management.
"[Senate has] been my second home, and one I've absolutely loved to be in," she said to colleagues during the send-off. "I leave this role with a profound sense of appreciation and pride in what we have accomplished together."
I leave this role with a profound sense of appreciation and pride in what we have accomplished together
Dal President Kim Brooks marked the occasion by reading a poem, Ode to Louise, Our Senate Star. The cheeky poem referred to Dr. Spiteri as having, 鈥淎 choir voice, a vegan soul, a heart of service as her goal.鈥�
With her service in Senate winding down, Dr. Spiteri has been planning a return to teaching and research as well as a European vacation.
But before that, she had one last Senate matter to attend to 鈥� a procedural favourite.
"I guess now the business of the day has been concluded," she said. "So, at this point, the meeting is adjourned."