Au Revoir, Dr Todd, not goodbye!

Written by: Loh Teck Hua, Lecture, School of Business and Law

Dr Todd Nelson

The only thing that doesn't change in life is change itself, or so the saying goes. Positive change signals an evolution, often a metamorphosis of body and spirit. Come July 12th 2011, Dr Todd Nelson will take over the challenges of Head of KDU's Pre-U School while Dr Victor Yu will swap role and move over to the Business School at the section 13 campus.

Dr Todd Nelson brought changes to the Business School when he was appointed Head of Business School almost a year ago. With his presence, the business department acquired new life. There were activities like never before - increased student activities such as the Student Leader Project, staff team building, career talks, internship drive for our students and greater collaboration with industry leaders with the ultimate objective of opening more doors for our business graduates.

There were long term strategic initiatives like the setting up of an Advisory Council for the Business School comprising industry leaders like RHB Bank and Alliance General Insurance amongst others to upgrade KDU UC’s academic programmes to the requirements of the industry. Dr Todd Nelson organized “Money & Career” talks to raise the profile of the Business School and, at the same time, to provide an important service to the community.

The turnout, including 52 hearing-impaired guests, was very encouraging. The community of KDU Section 13 campus also includes the neighbours, and it was therefore no surprise, when Dr. Todd initiated the C-Suite Cocktail one fine evening in June. CEOs, COOs, Managers and Executives from many corporations came over for a meet-and-greet session. Many business cards were exchanged, and the community had a chance to meet Datin Teh Geok Lian, (CEO of CEO of Paramount Corporation Berhad’s Educational Services Division), Prof. Dr. Teoh Kok Soo (Vice Chancellor of KDU University College), Dr. Tan Hui Leng (Vice Chancellor – Academic) and the various Heads of schools.

Dr Todd Nelson is a man of his word. Again, true to his personal motto, “Do well, do good”, he initiated a Ricoh-KDU collaboration called the“Green Office” project to minimize the use of paper and reduce KDU UC’s carbon footprint on the environment.

Talk about being personal, but what about Dr Todd Nelson, the person? A simple farewell gathering with the department’s staff was held recently at the KDU Section 13 campus. It was graced by Dr Teoh Kok Soo. In that short two-hour gathering spiced up by a wide selection of delicious pizzas for snacks, one common theme came through: “Dr Todd Nelson, you have a good heart.”

Dr Todd Nelson and Dr Teoh Kok Soo (Vice Chancellor of KDU University College)

Personally for this writer, who has worked fairly closely with him on the development of the website for the School of Business - again a Dr Todd Nelson initiative - and who is assisted by a team of highly committed lecturers who try hard to juggle between lectures and website work , I can vouch for the man who in no uncertain terms , is very much driven, and a driver. And we are not talking about cars here. He brings with him that very American tough, go-getter, goal-getting spirit that is tempered with a warm, caring Uncle Sam mindset.

As one lecturer said in her speech and, others in the privacy of the staff lounge: “We will miss him”. But why the sad faces when he is just 10 minutes’ drive away in the DJ campus? It is really au revoir (see you again) and not good bye.