Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
January 08, 2003
Alastair Summerlee named U of G’s seventh president and vice-chancellor
Concluding an international search, the University of Guelph’s Board of Governors announced today the appointment of Alastair J.S. Summerlee as the University’s seventh president and vice-chancellor. He will succeed president Mordechai Rozanski effective July 15, 2003.
Summerlee is currently provost and vice president (academic) at the University of Guelph. He has also held the positions of associate vice-president (academic), dean of graduate studies and associate dean of the Ontario Veterinary College, where he is a tenured professor in biomedical sciences. He received his PhD from the Faculty of Science at the University of Bristol (U.K.). His research in biomedical sciences is acclaimed internationally, and he has been an invited lecturer at universities and colleges around the world. His teaching has been recognized with a Distinguished Professorial Teaching Award from the U of G Faculty Association.
“We had an exceptional slate of candidates from Canada and abroad,” said F. Michael Walsh, chair of both the Presidential Selection Committee and U of G’s Board of Governors. “How wonderful it was to have such an impressive internal candidate – someone who has already made such a terrific contribution to the University and who can continue to build on the strong foundation being left by Mordechai Rozanski. Dr. Summerlee is a highly regarded researcher, a distinguished teacher and a first-class administrator. He has shown us that he has the vision, dedication and talent needed to be our next president. He is the perfect match for the presidential position profile created by our community.”
President Mordechai Rozanski said “I am absolutely delighted that Dr. Summerlee has been selected as the University of Guelph’s next president. He has been a superb provost and marvelous partner whose many impressive contributions have advanced the excellence of our University. Alastair has all the qualities to be an outstanding president and will lead this great University and its wonderfully talented people to new levels of institutional success and to the international stature that it deserves.”
Summerlee said he is “deeply honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility. The caring and commitment of Guelph’s outstanding faculty, students, staff, alumni, administrators and board members are what set this institution apart from others. I look forward to working with them in this new capacity to extend and enhance the success our University has experienced.” Summerlee also had high praise for the outgoing president. “Dr. Rozanski’s leadership, dedication and enthusiasm have been integral to our achievements over the past decade. I admire and respect his accomplishments, and hope that I can live up to the standard of excellence he has set.”
Rozanski will leave office as the University of Guelph’s longest-serving president. His presidency has been marked by innovation and substantial growth in the University’s endowment, facilities and academic stature as one of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities.
Ranked as Canada’s top comprehensive university*, the University of Guelph is renowned as a research-intensive and learner-centred institution and for its commitment to open learning, internationalism and collaboration.
* Maclean’s 2002 University Rankings
Contact:
Chuck Cunningham
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
(519) 824-4120, Ext. 53863
