Yesterday the Senate of the University of Guelph overwhelmingly approved the appointment of Dr. Pamela Wallin as the incoming Chancellor. The Chancellor, the Honorary Lincoln Alexander, will become the Chancellor Emeritus and continue to fulfill ceremonial roles for the University. We expect that Pamela will be installed as the new Chancellor at the summer convocations in June 2007.

The decision to nominate Dr. Wallin was taken with great care. The process was managed through a committee of the Senate and a number of members of the faculty, staff, students, the Board and alumni participated in the search. The Committee received input from far and wide and was very pleased with the level of attention paid to the search process. Clearly, members of the Committee are very pleased with the enthusiastic way that the nomination was received at Senate. Dr. Wallin is a charismatic and remarkable person who is very humble about her considerable achievements.

Dr. Wallin will be standing in the shoes of a very significant public figure but in ways that are different from and yet complimentary to the skills of Lincoln Alexander, I am sure that Pamela's passion and commitment will create a renewed buzz around the University of Guelph.

Perhaps that buzz begins first at home. Today, as I walked into the University Centre, two people stopped me to express delight at the choice of Chancellor. Both people spoke about the role model that Pamela will be for the University community - for our staff, faculty and students. They also mentioned how important it was to select a woman as Chancellor.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the process and wish Pamela every success in her new role as Chancellor elect.

I cannot end this blog without returning to the grace and poise shown by Lincoln Alexander. He has been an absolutely stunning Chancellor and I am delighted that he will remain as the Chancellor Emeritus and continue to be involved with the University.