Madam Chair, Mr. President, members of the Presidential Search Committee, distinguished members of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto:
I must begin by thanking Rose Patten as Chair of the Search Committee and Chair of the Governing Council, for her stewardship of the presidential appointment process. I am humbled and grateful that Rose and the members of the Search Committee have given me the chance to serve this great institution in a new capacity. I also want to express my deep appreciation to the assembled Governors who have this morning approved my appointment as the 15th President of the University of Toronto.
I have had the privilege of interacting in various capacities with the last 6 Presidents of the University. I confess it is more than a little daunting to be invited to join such company. But I also take great pleasure today in acknowledging our current President, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci. Frank said when he assumed office that he did not intend to be a caretaker but that he would instead take care. Frank, you have been true to your word. Thank you for your remarkable stewardship of our University in this critically important period.
Before I take office, two of our outstanding Vice-Presidents will have departed: Carolyn Tuohy and Jon Dellandrea. These are two remarkable individuals. There will be other occasions to pay formal tribute to them, and it will obviously be a serious challenge to find worthy successors. I would like to assure the governors that in considering how best to fill these and any other senior positions, I intend to ensure that the leadership team reflects the breadth and diversity of the institution.
Last night, ladies and gentlemen, I did some arithmetic. I calculated that as a student, postgraduate trainee and faculty member, I have been here at the University of Toronto for 25 years – half my life. I suspect the Search Committee classified me as an internal candidate!
On the other hand, I am all too aware that despite my long history with the University, I have so much to learn. I cannot imagine anything more exciting than to have not just the liberty, but the obligation to explore this great institution and get to know more of the people who are so integral to its success.
Like you, I believe that universities are magical places of innovation and imagination, criticism and creativity, dreams and discoveries. And there is no institution in Canada where more magic happens than at the University of Toronto. Through the decades, our University has opened its doors to hundreds of thousands of the very best and brightest students from across Canada and around the world. It has helped them shape their future through higher education. They have gone on to become our distinguished alumni, our supporters, and our friends.
The University’s faculty members have made a massive scholarly contribution in countless disciplines over the last century and a half. And we remain blessed with dedicated staff who are the foundation on which the academic excellence of the institution has been built. I am convinced that the University of Toronto has the talent base to compete with the world’s finest universities.
Beyond the talent of the University’s faculty, staff and students, we have other comparative advantages. We are situated in two diverse and dynamic cities in the finest province of the best country in the world. That makes us a magnet for talent and affords myriad opportunities for international outreach.
We have great partners in the federated universities and teaching hospitals, plus countless community agencies that provide our students with an exceptional educational environment. Our colleges and our tri-campus configuration offer both pluralism and a sense of belonging. Not least, innumerable volunteers and benefactors have been and remain extremely generous with their time and financial support for the University of Toronto.
I know that we have faced some serious resource constraints in recent years. Fortunately, we have demonstrated real resilience and we have sustained an institutional passion for academic excellence. Today there are hopeful signs of augmented support from the Provincial Government. The Province has before it an impressive report authored by our alumnus and former Governor, the Honourable Bob Rae. The financial targets it sets are modest, and for one, I intend to be relentless in urging the Province to meet them as quickly as possible.
Investments in higher education are necessary now to give Ontario students the experience they deserve at our Universities. They are necessary to improve the working life of our faculty and staff. And those same investments will pay rich economic dividends for the province and the nation.
With appropriate funding from the provincial and federal government, and the continued support of our alumni and friends, I am absolutely confident that the University of Toronto will make great strides in the years ahead.
In closing I want to thank once again the Chair, the members of the Search Committee, and all the Governors for their confidence. I look forward with excitement to the privilege of serving our University as its 15th President.
