Kathryn Laurin has bounced back on a high note following her 2014 dismissal as president of Camosun College. She has been hired as the next executive director of the Victoria Symphony.
Laurin will start in the spring following the retirement of Mitchell Krieger.
“I’m thrilled,” she said.
Laurin, 57, was a music professor and dean of fine arts at the University of Regina before becoming the university’s administrative vice-president. Laurin also worked as a freelance conductor in Regina. She holds a master’s degree in conducting from Indiana University. Before moving to Victoria, she was president of Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax.
“I’ve done music and administration, so what’s really nice about [the symphony] position is that it’s allowing me to blend those two worlds together,” she said.
Laurin was fired from Camosun College in June 2014 after serving as president for five years, when her second five-year term was just about to start. The college declined to disclose the reasons for her departure or the terms surrounding it.
Victoria Symphony board member Jim Hesser said the organization’s selection committee had “very frank” discussions with Laurin before recommending her to the board. “The impression I had was no stone was left unturned,” he said. “I know the board is delighted and I had the impression that Kathryn is delighted to be taking on the job.”
Laurin said a non-disclosure agreement with Camosun College prevents her from commenting on her dismissal. “What I can certainly say to you from a personal perspective is that it was very unfortunate. And I’m very proud of the work I did at Camosun for the five years I was there.”
In past interviews with the Times Colonist, Laurin said her dismissal was “completely unjustified” and classified as “not for cause.”
She confirmed she has been on an 18-month paid leave since her dismissal from her job, which paid $176,000 a year plus benefits. (Documents obtained by the Times Colonist showed Laurin was eligible for $300,000 in salary and benefits over that time.) The leave will end before she starts her symphony job.
Laurin said she doesn’t believe her dismissal from Camosun leaves a cloud over her new job. “I think my work at Camosun speaks for itself. And I think the [symphony] board recognized that. It was not an issue, I can tell you. I don’t want to put words into their mouths, but I think they’re feeling really comfortable with this new hire.”
Her goals for the Victoria Symphony include using social media to raise community awareness of the orchestra and encouraging young audiences to attend performances.
