In memoriam: Stalin Boctor
Stalin Boctor
Stalin Boctor, former dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science (FEAS), passed away on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011.
Boctor joined the Electrical Engineering Department at Ryerson in 1971. He served two terms as chair before becoming associate dean, and was founding program director of the Computer Networks graduate program. In 2002, Boctor became FEAS dean, a position he held until 2009.
"Stalin was an outstanding leader and builder and always an advocate for the Faculty," said President Sheldon Levy. "Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to his family. He has left a lasting legacy at Ryerson and will be deeply missed by our community."
During his tenure as dean, Boctor oversaw tremendous expansion and enhancement of both undergraduate and graduate programs. FEAS launched five innovative and successful undergraduate programs, and all departments came to offer at least one graduate program. Under Boctor's leadership, FEAS significantly increased research activity, hired many new faculty and launched important new student support initiatives. FEAS continued to attract and retain high-quality faculty and staff, adding 45 new faculty members and 30 technical and support staff from 2002 to 2009. During that time, the number of Canada Research Chair holders also increased from two to nine and, in 2006, the first NSERC Industrial Research Chair was awarded to FEAS.
Under Boctor, FEAS launched initiatives to support students and student retention, including the First-Year and Common Engineering Office in 2003 and a similar resource for science students in 2005. The Engineering Transitional Program was redesigned and expanded, supplemental language and math programs were implemented in 2003, and an early intervention program was established in 2004. In 2009, Boctor was named the inaugural recipient of the Errol Aspevig Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership.
Boctor's contributions extended beyond Ryerson. Highly regarded in his discipline and by his many professional associations, he was a member of accreditation teams for the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, and chair of the Council of Ontario Deans of Engineering.
A funeral service will be held in the chapel of the Visitation Centre on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 375 Mount Pleasant Road (east gate entrance), Toronto (416-485-5572). Burial will follow at the same location.