Tim Byrne

Tim Clarke Byrne (also known as T.C. Byrne, born 1907 [http://www.voicemagazine.org/pdf/pdf2001/0946-Nov28-01_VOICE.pdf] -1997) was the first President of Athabasca University. He grew up in Warspite, Alberta [ [http://www.voicemagazine.org/pdf/pdf2005/1325-Jun29-05_VOICE.pdf The Voice - June 29, 1005 ] ] . He is author of the book "Athabasca University: The Evolution of Distance Education". He's a former Deputy Minister of Education for Alberta from 1966 - 1971. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0142-5692(200012)21%3A4%3C575%3AIOHEAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-2] As Deputy Minister of Education, he helped to prepare the order in council to create the University.cite book
last =Byrne
first =T.C.
authorlink =Tim Byrne
coauthors =
title =Athabasca University The Evolution of Distance Education
publisher = University of Calgary Press
date = 1989
location = Calgary, Alberta
pages = 135
isbn = 0-919813-51-8]

He started his career as a teacher of junior high school in 1937, and in 1942 joined the Alberta Department of Education as an Inspector of Schools. In 1957 he became Chief Superintendent. In his book, Tim Byrne mentions that the University developed independently of Open University despite assumptions to the contrary.

In 1972 he was appointed by the Minister James Foster to conduct an inquiry into Red Deer College, over a dispute between the staff and the College's Board of Governors. This helped him to establish a closer working relationship with the Minister.

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