A respected lawyer, community builder and philanthropist, who is known for his commitment to social justice and humanitarianism locally, nationally and internationally, has been elected by the University of Alberta Senate to be the institution’s next chancellor.
Douglas R. Stollery, who retired from PCL Constructors Inc. in 2013 and now serves as a community volunteer as well as counsel to Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP, will begin his four-year term in June. Stollery succeeds current chancellor Ralph Young.
Stollery says that his lifelong involvement with post-secondary institutions as a student, lecturer, volunteer fundraiser, institute director, adviser, governor and current chancellor of St. Stephen’s College, has taught him, both personally and professionally, how universities are among the most important institutions in our society and, in this world of rapid change, are becoming increasingly essential.
“At an individual level, universities offer students from all walks of life and backgrounds the opportunity to realize their human potential by developing their knowledge and advancing their ability and desire to become lifelong learners,” Stollery said. “At the societal level, universities are among our most important catalytic engines for transformation and change … especially as citizens increasingly look to universities not just as places of knowledge, but also as leaders for the public good, endeavouring to understand and answer some of our most pressing societal questions.
“I am honoured to have been elected chancellor, and I look forward to assisting the university in carrying forward its founding mission to ‘uplift the whole people.’”
– See more at: https://uofa.ualberta.ca/news-and-events/newsarticles/2016/may/university-of-alberta-senate-elects-new-chancellor#sthash.jc7kE7O9.dpuf