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After 46 years as a faculty member on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Dr. Peter Havard is officially retiring June 30^th, 2023 from the Department of Engineering.  Many often assume Dr. Havard attended the AC as a student and its no wonder.  Dr. Peter Havard is the longest-serving faculty member on campus.

Peter has been a professor in the Department of Engineering since 1977, when he started a job with NSAC straight from his master’s degree at Macdonald College - ten years after the building opened. Although he didn’t know where Truro was at the time, he accepted the job offer, and he and his wife Ann packed up their belongings and moved from Montreal into their new home – the Banting Annex on Pictou Road.

Although this living arrangement was meant to be short term, Peter and Ann ended up living in the Banting Annex for the next several years.

When additional workspace became more essential than providing living space on campus, Peter and Ann were asked to relocate from the Annex. Ironically, the former bedroom became his office, where it was located for the next 27 years.

“For me a successful career is having the opportunity to learn new and interesting things and apply them to real world problems both in the field and the classroom,” said Peter.

Over the past 46 years, Peter has served multiple stints as chair of the Department of Engineering. Taking this role on more than once speaks to the kind of person he is – diligent, patient, and more than anything, committed.

“Peter is an amazing teacher and department head. He shows so much care for student learning and understanding. We all know that if we don't understand a concept Peter is willing to try and teach us outside of class time, even for classes he isn't teaching us in,” said Sarina Lund, co-president Dal Ac Engineering society. “He has contributed so much to engineering students at Dal AC over his 46 years of teaching here and I wish him a happy retirement.”

Peter is a Professional Engineer and a lifetime member of Engineers Nova Scotia because of his long-standing service to the profession. He has a deep appreciation for the agriculture industry, agricultural engineering, and specifically, apple orchards.

One of his Peter’s last research projects saw him working with apple growers to improve trellis designs in Annapolis Valley using the research in his classes to provide real word examples.

“Apple orchards are amazing managed landscapes with interesting and progressive managers,” he added.  “A beautiful to place to work”

There has been much change at the AC since Peter first started, but one thing remains the same: Peter’s care for his students. He is approachable and kind. He is always excited to answer their questions, and his interest in student learning goes beyond the classroom. Many students can tell you that no real due date exists with Peter. If they are willing to put the time and the work into an assignment, he is willing to make the time to ensure they receive credit for it.

Dr. Havard is less concerned about grades and far more concerned about his students’ ability to understand a concept. It is not uncommon for students to approach Peter for help with classes that he does not even teach, as he is willing to go out of his way to explain a concept. Peter is one of the first professors that engineering students encounter in their first year, and it does not take long for students to begin viewing him as a fatherly figure. Students will strive for high grades, not only for their personal success, but in the hopes that they will make Peter proud.

“Through Peter’s passionate teaching of Engineering Thermodynamics, I learned about the behavior of energy by exploring the fundamental laws and principles,” explained alumnus Travis Esau.  “I truly appreciated how he connected the theory with real-world examples such as our class completing an energy assessment and upgrade recommendation for an old house at the BEEC. Peter’s true passion for teaching and commitment to student success has forever shaped my own attitude on education and has made a positive impact on my teaching philosophy.”

Dr. Havard was recently awarded an Honorary Barley ring this past March for his outstanding contributions to the campus community and for his depiction of the true characteristics of an #Aggie.

Peter has also been a regular at the Langille Athletic Centre since it opened the year after he arrived, where he has played sports with several generations of young people and those young at heart. Noon- time basketball would not be noon-time basketball without Peter on the court.

Peter often jokes when he started at the AC, he was the ‘young man’, and he has a hard time accepting the fact that he is now the ‘old man’, as things don’t feel any different.

Today, Peter shares with students the best advice he was given as an engineering student: “just give it your best shot”. This advice is accompanied by his unwavering care and support.  

As Peter announces his retirement following the commencement of this academic year, his nearly half a century of service will leave a hole in the Department of Engineering and the entire Faculty of Agriculture that will be very difficult to fill.

“Peter’s contribution to campus over the past 46 years has been exceptional,” said Dean David Gray.  “He is a driver of change, an ambassador within the industry and we wish him nothing but the best on his retirement.  He will be missed."