University of Calgary names Jon Cornish as 15th Chancellor-elect

Calgary, AB – The University of Calgary has selected Canadian Hall of Fame football player and dedicated community leader Jon Cornish, CFA, as its 15th Chancellor-Elect. Cornish will officially begin his four-year term on July 1, 2022.

“I’m thrilled to announce that Jon Cornish will become our next Chancellor. A key contributor in the community, promoting equity and inclusion to make Calgary better, and a legend for the nine years he played with the Calgary Stampeders, Jon Cornish exemplifies our core values as a committed volunteer and a community leader. His work in the non-profit, and the finance and investment sectors also make him an outstanding fit as an entrepreneurial thinker.”

Dr. Ed McCauley, president and vice-chancellor, UCalgary

Cornish spent nine years as a running back for the Calgary Stampeders, earning numerous awards including two Grey Cup Championships. During his time in the Canadian Football League (CFL), he was also named a three-time Top Canadian Player, Most Outstanding Player and was the recipient of the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s Top Athlete — all leading to his induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2019. After retiring from football in 2015, he remained in Calgary to work as an investment advisor.

Throughout his career, Cornish has dedicated himself to helping others. He is the founder and president of the Calgary Black Chambers, a non-profit established to support the needs of  members of the Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities. He worked within the sports community to foster inclusion for LGBTQ2S+ athletes and ensure every player feels safe through the You Can Play Project. He has also volunteered his time working with the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the Wood’s Homes at-risk youth program and the philanthropic Calgary Foundation. Serving as Chancellor is the next step in his life of service.   

“Becoming the Chancellor of the University of Calgary is the greatest honour of my life. In serving the students, alumni, staff, volunteers and faculty of the university, and the city of Calgary, I will champion the values of safety, inclusivity and achievement, helping make our great university the best in Canada.”

Jon Cornish, 15^th Chancellor-elect, UCalgary

Every four years, the Chancellor Search Committee is tasked with selecting a new university Chancellor. The position is the university’s most senior volunteer role and acts as an ambassador for UCalgary in the community. The Chancellor chairs the university’s Senate, a body dedicated to advancing the university’s interests. The Chancellor is a passionate advocate for advanced education, research and innovation, reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion, and champions the pivotal role a leading university can play in a great city like Calgary.

UCalgary would like to thank current Chancellor Deborah Yedlin for her many and ongoing contributions to the community as an ambassador for a top 5 research university in Canada.  

Media inquiries

Dean Parthenis
Director, Media, Issues and Outreach
Office of Advancement
University of Calgary
403.629.5806
dparthen@ucalgary.ca

Sean Myers
Senior Communications Specialist
Media, Issues and Outreach
Office of Advancement
University of Calgary
403.561.7405
sean.myers2@ucalgary.ca

About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top-five research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 35,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary.

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