In 2025, CapU has three worthy recipients of the Faculty Emeritus distinction.
Faculty Emeritus is a title awarded to faculty retirees who have provided outstanding service to the University and their discipline.
This year, our recipients are:
David Kirk, Faculty Emeritus
Indigenous Faculty Advisor & Instructor
Bob Muckle, Faculty Emeritus
Anthropology, Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Sheila Ross, Faculty Emeritus
Geography, Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Click on any of their names to learn more about their accomplishments.
David Kirk
David Kirk, a proud member of the Tzeachten First Nation (Stó:lō Nation), is an educator, Indigenous advocate and visionary leader. His 17-year career at Capilano University transformed the institution's approach to Indigenous education, reconciliation and decolonization. David's contributions include the development of innovative programs, extensive advocacy for Indigenous students and fostering a campus culture of inclusion and understanding.
Holding a Bachelor of Social Work and a master's degree in education from the University of British Columbia, David has balanced Indigenous teachings from Elders with his extensive academic expertise. His work, rooted in community-based collaboration, continues to influence educational frameworks both at Capilano University and across British Columbia.
Today, David serves as the dean of curriculum and pedagogy at Vancouver Community College, where he continues to champion Indigenization, curriculum development and reconciliation within post-secondary education.
Bob Muckle
Bob Muckle served Capilano University with distinction for 35 years, shaping the institution's Anthropology and Archaeology programs and mentoring generations of students. Known for his deep commitment to experiential learning, he created and directed the Seymour Valley Community Archaeology Project – one of the few community-based field schools in British Columbia – bridging the gap between academic knowledge and public engagement.
A prolific author, Bob has written several influential textbooks, including The First Nations of British Columbia: An Anthropological Overview and Introducing Archaeology, widely used in classrooms across North America. His work has significantly advanced public and academic understanding of British Columbia's Indigenous history, Japanese Canadian heritage, and contemporary archaeological practices.
Bob was an active leader at Capilano University, serving as chair of Social Sciences and contributing to more than 30 university committees. His dedication to Indigenizing and decolonizing education and fostering inclusive scholarship leaves a lasting legacy.
Nationally and internationally respected, Bob is recognized for his ongoing research on modern archaeology, including studies on COVID-19, contemporary trash and skate parks. His former students – affectionately dubbed "Mucklettes" – now comprise a substantial portion of the province's consulting archaeologists.
Even in retirement, Bob continues to write, publish, and represent Capilano University through his scholarly and public work. His career is a testament to the power of education, community engagement and lifelong learning.
Sheila Ross
Sheila Ross is a geographer, educator and author whose 32-year career at Capilano University has shaped the field of physical geography and the institution's academic development. Her contributions include developing pivotal second-year physical geography courses, fostering place-based learning pedagogy, and publishing a textbook, Weather and Climate – An Introduction. Of note, this textbook is the first textbook on the topic that is Canadian from inception.
During her tenure, Sheila played an active leadership role within the University and beyond, serving as convenor for the geography department, budget coordinator for the School of Social Sciences, and a member of multiple committees, including the Registrar's Advisory Committee. Sheila's teaching and research extended into public engagement, where she raised awareness of pressing environmental issues, particularly climate change, through lectures and accessible scholarship.
Even in retirement, Sheila remains dedicated to advancing physical geography education. At the beginning of 2024, she published the third edition of Weather and Climate. Her current projects include completing a new introductory Canadian physical geography textbook, exploring broader non-fiction writing, and documenting natural landscapes through her travels. Sheila's expertise and enduring contributions continue to benefit the academic community.