I am honoured to be Laurentian’s ninth president. This is an exceptional opportunity, one that allows me to lead a dynamic university and become part of a progressive community. I share your pride in Laurentian and its unique mission; I understand the importance you place on reflecting the needs of Greater Sudbury and northern Ontario; and, on the cusp of the 50th anniversary, I share – and commit myself to – great aspirations for Laurentian.
The community plays an integral role in the life of the university – and the university needs to play a key role in the communities we serve. I am committed to advancing these existing relationships and building new, innovative partnerships.
I am a strong believer in the importance of promoting clarity of purpose, and will work hard to consistently reflect that clarity. Working collaboratively, we will strengthen Laurentian’s reputation of excellence in academic programming and research, and reinforce our presence and impact in northern Ontario, as well as on the national and international stages.
We will continue to build on Laurentian’s strengths: Educating and engaging students, furthering research and academic inquiry, and supporting the community through our achievements. My personal mission is that Laurentian continue to meet its bilingual and tri-cultural mandate and continue to offer, in both official languages:
· A high level of academic challenge;
· Memorable student/faculty interaction and an enriching educational experience;
· A supportive campus environment, with strong ties to community.
Laurentian University turns 50 next year. The anniversary will be a special occasion to celebrate Laurentian’s many successes. While our aspirations aim high, we also need to applaud our past efforts and celebrate the fact that Laurentian has already made such an enormous impact in northern Ontario, and beyond.
Let’s inspire one another. Universities encourage ideas and debate, and by engaging one another in this way, we will challenge ourselves to new heights of excellence.