Elizabeth Cannon reappointed for second term

The Board of Governors voted unanimously on Friday to appoint Elizabeth Cannon for a second term as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary, through to June 30, 2020.  Cannon became the university’s eighth president and vice-chancellor on July 1, 2010.

The Board decision follows the recommendation of the presidential review committee, an advisory committee of the Board of Governors, established to review the performance of the president and make a recommendation to the board regarding reappointment. Bonnie DuPont, chair of the Board of Governors, chaired the presidential review committee.

“During the course of its work, the presidential review committee heard enthusiastic and widespread support for President Cannon from inside and outside the university community,” said DuPont. “She is regarded by students, faculty, staff, alumni, government, business and the community as an exceptional leader. The Eyes High strategy, developed during her first year as president, created a shared vision of a bold future for the university. President Cannon has made significant progress on our Eyes High goals, and she has raised institutional pride and reputation. Under her leadership, the University of Calgary has emerged as one of the top young universities in the world.”

“It is an honour to be president of this great university,” said Cannon. “I would like to thank the Board of Governors, and the presidential review committee, and everyone in the community, both on and off campus, for their tremendous support. I look forward to working together over the next several years to advance our shared vision of excellence in teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement. I am extremely proud to be part of a community that comes together, even during very difficult times, to build a better future.”

DuPont expressed her appreciation, on behalf of the Board of Governors, to the presidential review committee for their time and dedication:

• Gordon Ritchie – Board vice-chair (committee vice-chair)
• Jim Dinning – Chancellor
• Sarah Akierman – Student representative, appointed jointly by the Students' Union and the Graduate Students' Association (Akierman is the president of the Graduate Students’ Association)
• Patricia Johnson – Member of the board, selected by the executive committee of the board (Johnson is a member of the Board of Governors nominated by the AUPE)
• Vern Kimball – Member of the board of directors of the Alumni Association (Kimball is the president of the Alumni Association)
• Ken McKinnon – Member of the presidential advisory search committee which recommended the appointment of the president, selected by the board chair
• Dianne Tapp and Aritha Van Herk – Representatives of General Faculties Council, elected by the council.