"Tim Clarke Byrne" was the first President of Athabasca University. He grew up in Warspite, Alberta.[http://www.voicemagazine.org/pdf/pdf2005/1325-Jun29-05_VOICE.pdf The Voice - June 29, 1005] He was author of the book Athabasca University: The Evolution of Distance Education and was a former Deputy Minister of Education for Alberta from 1966–1971. As Deputy Minister of Education, he helped to prepare the Order in Council to create the University.

Byrne started his career as a teacher of junior high school in 1937, and in 1942 joined the Alberta Department of Education as an Inspector of Schools. In 1957, he became Chief Superintendent. In his book, Byrne mentions that the University developed independently of Open University despite assumptions to the contrary.

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They bust their butts. You can send them on a run and you know it will get done.

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He's here to stay now.

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We found something he likes to do and he works hard at it. He's found this little niche.

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They seem to run harder when they have a baton in their hand.

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