President's Report 2007

When he moved from downtown Toronto to a rural property in Caledon, Douglas Derry had no idea this new lifestyle would lead him to the University of Guelph. He’s a chartered accountant whose professional life was in downtown Toronto, but the whole family lived for weekends on their farm in Caledon and eventually made it their home.

Derry’s wife, Margaret, and children, Alison and David, convinced him that every farm should have a cow, or in this case, four bred heifers that started a herd of purebred Murray Greys. The herd was later replaced by Shorthorns.

Alison and David developed a love of the land that eventually led them to Guelph, where she studied environmental biology and he earned two degrees in agronomy and land resource science. Alison is now completing a doctorate in aquatic ecology at Queen’s University, and David is focused on a career as a writer.

Margaret became an agricultural historian, author and adjunct professor at U of G. Douglas, too, was drawn into the University family as a member and current chair of the Board of Governors.

“I’m relying on you”

There is no one more appropriate than the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, U of G’s chancellor emeritus, to represent the University’s desire and ability to improve life in Canada and beyond. His professional success and personal reputation are testament to the value of education and the importance of working for the good of our society.

When he agreed to serve as chancellor in 1991, he had already achieved many notable firsts:

Alexander has congratulated more than 20,000 Guelph graduates, sometimes adding this bit of advice and responsibility: “I’m relying on you.”

In his autobiography, Go to School, You’re a Little Black Boy, the chancellor says: “When I attend convocation, I feel as though I am sitting there as witness to the future of our country, even our planet.” And he is.

Through partnerships and collaboration, we are establishing U of G as a top ranked university doing cutting-edge, provocative and influential work on the critical and complex issues shaping the world and our lives.

In words to our graduates, he adds: “The value of your education can never be calculated. Your degree or diploma will empower you and enrich your country. At the same time, it places on you the obligation to strive for a society free of intolerance and violence, to protect educational opportunities for others and to use the skills you have developed for the betterment of society.”

We take those words to heart at the University of Guelph. They are a charge to us as an institution as well as a family of graduates, and we intend to use the skills we have developed to improve the health and welfare of our global society.

After 15 years as U of G’s chancellor, Alexander stepped into his new ceremonial role as University chancellor emeritus. Canadian journalist and diplomat Pamela Wallin has succeeded him as chancellor.

Investing in U of G

The University received almost $17 million in donations from alumni and friends in 2006. Those gifts are growing the University’s endowment, building state-of-the-art facilities, and supporting teaching and research.

University Administration

Alastair J. Summerlee, President and vice-chancellor
Maureen Mancuso, Provost and vice-president (academic)
Joanne Shoveller, Vice-president (alumni affairs and development)
Nancy Sullivan, Vice-president (finance and administration)
Alan Wildeman, Vice-president (research)
Anthony Clarke, Acting associate vice-president (research and international relations)
Rob McLaughlin, Associate vice-president (research) agri-food and partnerships
Alan Shepard, Associate vice-president (academic)
Brenda Whiteside, Associate vice-president (student affairs)
Bob Carter, Assistant vice-president (physical resources)
Martha Harley, Assistant vice-president (human resources)
Pamela Healey, Assistant vice-president (development)
John Miles, Assistant vice-president (finance and services)
Brian Pettigrew, Assistant vice-president (institutional research and planning) and registrar
Don Bruce, Dean, College of Arts
Mary Buhr, Interim dean, Ontario Agricultural College
Michael Emes, Dean, College of Biological Science
Isobel Heathcote, Dean, Graduate Studies
Alun Joseph, Dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
Chris McKenna, Dean, College of Management and Economics
Elizabeth Stone, Dean, Ontario Veterinary College
Anthony Vannelli, Dean, College of Physical and Engineering Science
Vicki Hodgkinson, University secretary
Michael Ridley, Chief information officer and chief librarian
John Walsh, Vice-provost, University of Guelph-Humber

Board of Governors

Chair: Douglas L. Derry, Chairman, Poplar Lane Holdings Ltd.
Vice-Chair: Rita Burak, President/partner, The Network Executive Team, Management Consultants, Inc.
Vice-Chair: Robin-Lee Norris, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP
Chancellor: Pamela Wallin, Senior adviser to the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas
Brian W. Barrington, President, Barrington & Associates
Tye Burt, CEO, Kinross Gold Corporation
Barb Caswell, Graduate student, Department of Animal and Poultry Science
John Coombs, Undergraduate student, bachelor of arts
Peter J. Devine, President, Devine Securities Inc.
Dick Freeborough, Corporate director
Jonathan Guss, CEO, Ontario Medical Association
Gail S. Kilgour, Corporate director
Karen Kuwahara, President, Nestle Purina PetCare
Jeff Lozon, President and CEO, St. Michael’s Hospital
Linda Mahood, Associate professor, Department of History
Barbara Miller, President, Woodwylde Inc.
Nancy Schmidt, Director, University of Guelph Learning Commons
Pat Shewen, Professor, Department of Pathobiology
Evan W. Siddall, Resident managing director, Lazard Canada
Alan Sullivan, Professor, Department of Plant Agriculture
Alastair J. Summerlee, President and vice-chancellor, University of Guelph
Bill Teesdale IT Support, Department of Physics
Hon. Lyle Vanclief, P.C., Agricultural and agri-food consulting
Bre Walt, Undergraduate student, bachelor of arts

Board of Trustees of The Heritage Fund

Chair: Douglas W. Dodds, Executive vice-president and chief strategy officer, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
Vice-Chair: David Weinberg, Retired executive
Chancellor: Pamela Wallin, Senior adviser to the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas
H. Anthony Arrell, Chairman and CEO, Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.
Douglas L. Derry, Chairman, Poplar Lane Holdings Ltd.
John N. Dickey, President, John Dickey and Associates Ltd.
Steven Diener, President, Stevelyn Holdings Limited
W. Robert Farquharson, Vice-chairman and CIO, AGF Management Limited
Mary-Elizabeth Flynn, CEO, F.N. Financial Corporation
Warren Jestin, Senior vice-president and chief economist, Scotiabank
E. John Latimer, Managing director, Aldert Chemicals Ltd.
Keith Laver, President, Springwood Consultants Ltd.
Tanya Lonsdale, Partner, Braun Consulting Engineers Ltd.
Stephen R.A. Scotchmer, Private investor, Manitou Investment Management Ltd.
Jeffrey D. Stacey, Managing director, Jeffrey D. Stacey & Associates Ltd.
Alastair J. Summerlee, President and vice-chancellor, University of Guelph
F. Michael Walsh, Retired executive

Changed Lives

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Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1
519-824-4120

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