From 1962 to 1978, Wagner taught Near Eastern Languages, Literature and Archaeology at
Wilfrid Laurier University and was Dean of Graduate Studies and Research from 1974 to 1978. He founded the School of Religion and Culture, and the Wilfrid Laurier University Press. During his time at Wilfrid Laurier University he also served a term as the President of the
Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. Wagner was President of the
University of Calgary from 1978 to 1988. Wagner served on the Board of Directors of Alberta Natural Gas Co. Ltd. from 1988 to 1995 and was chairman, president and chief executive officer from 1991 to 1994. He was on the board of the
Organizing Committee for the
1988 Winter Olympics held in
Calgary. He was chairman of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program. He died of cancer in 2004. ==Honours==