Ridgetown Campus Director Named
May 06, 2013 - News Release
Ken McEwan has been named director of the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus. McEwan’s five-year term began May 1.
The announcement was made today by Rob Gordon, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College. “I am extremely excited, as is the entire Ridgetown Campus community, by Ken’s vision and commitment to excellence for the Ridgetown Campus,” said Gordon.
“It has certainly been a pleasure to work closely with Ken in his interim role over the past 16 months, and I look forward to his leadership as director.”
McEwan has been acting interim director since Jan. 1, 2012. Earlier, he was research co-ordinator at Ridgetown.
As Ridgetown’s tenth director, he will oversee 120 faculty and staff and an annual budget worth more than $18.5 million.
McEwan joined the Campus in 1990 as a college professor in production economics and agribusiness, and is an adjunct professor in U of G’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics.
“Ken is a well-respected leader in the Ontario agriculture industry, and has clearly demonstrated ability in partnering with government and industry to enhance our important sector,” said Gordon.
Known as a strategic innovator, McEwan conducts applied research in agricultural economics and policy. He completed a master’s degree in agricultural economics and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of Guelph. He is a professional member of American and Canadian agricultural economics associations.
“I look forward to working with all our community stakeholders in this special leadership position,” McEwan said. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with such dedicated educators and research scientists to advance Ridgetown Campus’s applied mandate that is so valued by our many industry partners, clients and alumni.”
McEwan succeeds Art Schaafsma, who served as director from 2007 to 2011. Schaafsma teaches and studies integrated pest management, and manages Ridgetown’s Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca.
