By Rosalyn Yake
When Lee Maguire, former associate dean of Ryerson’s school of business management, retired last year, he left 34 years of fond memories behind, and a pair of big shoes for the candidate next in line to fill. Peter Luk has stepped in to replace Maguire in the newly-titled position of director of the school of business management. He is responsible for academically related issues for about 2,800 students. “I don’t think Peter will have any difficulty filling this position,” said Ashvin Bapat, president of the Business Students Association. “He seemed to express and share Maguire’s vision of excelling Ryerson’s name and bringing validation to what we learn.”
Luk started as a marketing professor at Ryerson 20 years ago. Since then he has pursued a variety of positions including assistant chair of student affairs, acting chair of the school of hospitality and tourism management and program director of marketing. He has recently completed his doctorate in marketing and tourism at the University of Calgary. Tom Knowlton, dean of the school of business, chaired the hiring committee composed of appointed faculty members and elected business students.
After interviewing numerous candidates, the committee granted Luk the position. He has a consensus-oriented style of leadership,” said Knowlton. “This makes people want to work with him.” Having worked at Ryerson for a number of years, Luk has seen the school grow into a reputable and competitive university. He hopes the institution’s name will continue to thrive. “One of my dreams is that in five or ten more years, we will be the best undergrad school in the GTA,” he said. “I think we are going to do better and better.”
Luk played a role in developing an innovative and competency-based curriculum so students will graduate with the skills needed in the business world. In addition to the major renovations that have been taking place at the business building, the university is also applying for accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – an American organization that insures business programs around the world use quality methods of teaching. “As a goal I want to see that all these things are realized,” Luk said. “Good students bring good students, success brings success.”
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