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News Release

March 06, 2007

Pamela Wallin Named Chancellor

Pamela Wallin, one of the country’s most accomplished and esteemed journalists, diplomats and entrepreneurs, has been named the next chancellor of the University of Guelph.

Her appointment was endorsed by a vote of the University's Senate Tuesday. She will be installed during a ceremony in June.

“Pamela is an outstanding role model who has demonstrated the highest levels of integrity and passion both in her career and in her volunteer service,” said U of G president Alastair Summerlee.

“Her reputation will bring additional lustre to the University through her public stature and demeanour. She has demonstrated a commitment to public service and has been recognized by educational and cultural organizations throughout North America for her knowledge and expertise.”

As chancellor, Wallin will preside at convocations, confer all university degrees and act as an ambassador to graduates. She will also serve as the University's senior volunteer and represent its interests to local, provincial and federal governments.

“The University of Guelph has deservedly earned a reputation for quality and excellence, and I am thrilled and truly honoured to become chancellor,” Wallin said.

“By doing so, I have the great good fortune to join a long and distinguished list of Canadians who have served the University of Guelph, its students and the larger, greater purpose of education. It is a privilege and a responsibility that I take very seriously.”

Wallin will become the seventh person and the second woman to hold the position since the University’s founding in 1964. Lincoln Alexander, who has been chancellor for an unprecedented 15 years, has been named University chancellor emeritus and will continue to serve the University of Guelph in ceremonial roles, including participating in some public events and convocations.

Wallin’s career has spanned more than 30 years and several continents, including numerous positions at CBC and CTV. She is currently senior adviser to the president of the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas in New York. She recently completed a four-year term as consul general of Canada in New York, having been appointed to the prestigious position in 2002. She also serves on the boards of many Canadian corporations, including CTVglobemedia.

Wallin holds an honours degree in psychology and political science from the University of Regina. She has received 13 honorary degrees, including an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Guelph in 2006. She has also written three books, including Since You Asked, a best-selling memoir.

Guelph’s former chancellors and their years of service are: Edmund Bovey, past president of the Art Gallery of Ontario, 1989 to 1990; William Stewart, former Ontario minister of agriculture, 1983 to 1989; Pauline McGibbon, former Ontario lieutenant-governor, 1977 to 1983; Emmett Hall, former chief justice of Saskatchewan and justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, 1971 to 1977; and George Drew, former mayor of Guelph, Ontario premier and Canada high commissioner to the United Kingdom, 1965 to 1971.