Darin Brecht named interim RRC president
By Riley Hastings
Red River College’s board of governors has named Darin Brecht as interim president and CEO, replacing outgoing president Paul Vogt.
“With his wealth of experience in the private sector, Darin has a strong foundation in place to provide solid overall leadership and direction for the team at Red River College.” said Loren Cisyk, chair of RRC’s board of governors in an August 8 news release.
Cisyk thanked Vogt for his effort and leadership. As of August 9, Cisyk has given little insight into the board’s motivation to replace Vogt.
When approached by The Projector, the board declined further comment beyond what has already been shared in the release.
In an email to staff, Vogt said he was “shocked and disappointed” at the board’s decision not to extend his contract, which expires in 2020.
RRC’s board of governors, appointed by Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government, decided to replace Vogt, who took charge of RRC in 2014.
Vogt previously spent 14 years working with NDP governments, including advising former premiere Gary Doer, and some critics have called his removal an act of political interference.
Premiere Brian Pallister denied any involvement in the decision, telling CBC his government played no role in ousting Vogt.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of RRC and Vogt’s accomplishments over his four-year tenure:
- Took over after a 2014 spending scandal involving previous president, Stephanie Forsyth
- Created a partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces to allow veterans and reservists to apply their military training toward college credits
- Opened the Smart Factory and expanded the Centre to Aerospace Technology, at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus
- Gained praise in local media for sustainability and environmental practices
- Started an urban beekeeping project in partnership with Beeproject Apiaries at RRC’s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute
- Improved Indigenous access to education by increasing available bursaries and scholarships
- RRC’s Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) department received an Award of Excellence from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics in 2018
A word from the Editor-in-chief
As The Projector prepares for another season of chasing stories that affect RRC students, our journalists are committed to following this transition of power and the changes that may come with it. If you’re an expert, stakeholder or student with an opinion or any information to share, please email editor@theprojector.ca
