Royal Roads remembers former chancellor and friend of the university

It is with heavy hearts that the Royal Roads community recognizes the passing of former Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors, Wayne Strandlund. He was a prominent Victoria businessperson and enthusiastic supporter of education, arts, culture and sports. He was the founder and CEO of Fisgard Asset Management, a family-owned private mortgage banker. While operating his business, Strandlund also served as president of the Victoria Real Estate Board and the British Columbia Real Estate Association, director of the Real Estate Council of British Columbia, director of the Real Estate Compensation Fund Corporation and a governor of the Notary Foundation. 

Strandlund was a dedicated advocate for Royal Roads University. He served as Royal Roads University’s fifth Chancellor and Board Chair from 2014 to 2017, as chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee and as a member on the Finance and Audit Committee. 

President Philip Steenkamp recalls Strandlund as energetic and dedicated:

"He always encouraged us to think bigger about the Royal Roads of the future, not only in the establishment of the new Langford campus, but as a leader in Canada in reconciling our future with the rich past of the Indigenous peoples with whom we share the land. He thought of himself as a lifelong learner on a journey and encouraged our community to do the same.”

Strandlund was a consistent and passionate ambassador for Royal Roads University. Interviewed by the Times Colonist when he was installed as Chancellor, he spoke about the importance of the role for the university:

“Strandlund is excited about his new position because chancellor at Royal Roads — unlike most other universities where it is a ceremonial position — is an activist position. The chancellor chairs the board of governors and takes part in program and course development as well as management of the facility.

‘It is not a passive position,’ says Strandlund. 'The board of governors is very active. There is a lot of work that goes on and I enjoy it.'”

Strandlund was awarded the Chancellor’s Community Recognition Award in 2018 to honour his enthusiastic support for sports, culture and art. 

He was also an ardent advocate for reconciliation with local Indigenous communities. In 2016, he started the Wayne Strandlund Award for Indigenous and Métis Students, an endowment fund created to help support Royal Roads University students through financial barriers.

Strandlund represented the real estate industry on the Treaty Negotiations Advisory Committee and the British Columbia Expropriation Association. In 1983 he founded the Vancouver Stock Exchange’s first publicly traded real estate company, specializing in marketing, construction, development and mortgage banking. He was a co-founder of the Canadian College for Chinese Studies, where he addressed international students on Canadian business.

Frequently recognized for his community support, he was an honorary life member of the Victoria Symphony and an honorary life member of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. 

He was also the recipient of the Unforgettable Award for Outstanding Service to the Arts in Victoria. An arts supporter, particularly of musical arts, he contributed to musical success as a former president of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, former director of the Victoria Symphony and member of the Conductor’s Circle and Advisory Council. His Extra Strings program and concert sponsorships enabled the orchestra to expand its repertoire and international reputation. He sponsored fundraising concerts and festivals, including a multi-year sponsorship of Symphony in the Summer, the Mozart Festival at Butchart Gardens, the nine-concert Beethoven Festival and the Lieutenant Governor’s Sing Me a Song program.

Strandlund also supported organizations such as the Victoria Ballet and Dance Victoria, to community-based organizations such as the Salvation Army, Our Place, the Mustard Seed Food Bank and the Military Family Resource Centre.

The flag on Hatley Castle will be lowered to half-mast on April 27, 2023 in tribute to Wayne Strandlund.