Dr. Alan Davis

As I sit here on New Year’s Eve, watching the sun peek through the cedars here in North Delta, I am inspired to consider what has happened this last year and what lies ahead. If I was still in the US, I’d be worried on this day about the fiscal cliff (my only suggestion to break the impasses is to get the NHL owners to talk to the Democrats and the players to tangle with the Republicans). Here in BC we have our own important election to look forward to.

As 2012 fades away, I have mixed feelings. For us, it was a very eventful year: the loss of our dog Pete, and his brother Max was diagnosed with cancer in October; several other family health issues; a son who continues to do well at Brock University and is still playing music; one daughter who worked on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies in London; one who got a job at UBC, and the health care provider who continues her amazing work with disabled children here and in Ladakh.

Of course there was the big move from one great and unique institution (SUNY Empire State College) to another here at KPU, with all the excitement and stress of changing jobs, saying goodbye to some dear friends and making new ones; moving all our belongings and setting up a new home; driving across the US and re-entering Canada, and learning all about the institution and the regions I now serve.

Here is Max in the car in NY on August 18th, ready for the long trek with me, and the look on his face says it all:

And here we are taking a break by the Yakima River in Ellensburg, WA the day before we arrived in BC:

I have had a wonderful welcome to KPU, which has such a huge role to play in helping people prepare for a new economy, and ensuring a continued focus on social issues and community development. It is truly exciting work to lead such an institution, surrounded by the most amazing and dedicated educators.

My diary is already filling up for the period January to June 2013, reflecting a complex agenda of the usual administration and governance plus strategic planning, budgeting, local and national events, graduations in May, and a few days for a holiday.

So, given that, what is the point of having resolutions? Just surviving and getting through it all successfully would be enough. However, how I manage to achieve all my goals and meet my commitments is worth improving, and thus, like many others, I resolve to simplify my complicated life and to improve my physical, intellectual and emotional health. It is hard to be a good dad and husband and polytechnic university president if I am not myself focused, strong and healthy. So, I resolve to:

• Eat better; think about what I am ingesting, and chew my food more slowly.
• Exercise more. I do pretty well already, but as I get older (hard to believe I know, but I am in my 60s), the effects seem to weaken; it is time to step it up.
• Lose some weight; either that or grow taller.
• Watch less TV, and spend more time reading, every day.
• Watch less TV, and spend more time with my family and friends.
• Try harder with my blogs and my tweeting @presadavis.

For those of you who track my previous year-end blogs and recognize these perennial resolutions…..sshh.

Happy New Year!