Laurentian University appoints new president, vice-chancellor
Following the resignation of former Laurentian University President Robert Haché more than a year ago, the Sudbury institution is announcing its new permanent leadership.
After a nationwide search, Dr. Lynn Wells has been appointed as Laurentian's 12th president and vice-chancellor as the school continues to work on rebuilding public confidence after emerging from insolvency.
Dr. Lynn Wells has been appointed Laurentian University's new president and vice chancellor. (Supplied/Laurentian University)
Currently, Wells is the provost and vice-president academic at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., and she will begin her new role in the north on April 1.
"Wells will provide strategic vision and leadership for all academic, administrative, financial, and service operations, in keeping with the university’s bilingual mandate and tricultural identity," Laurentian said in a news release Tuesday morning.
"Dr. Wells is an experienced leader in postsecondary education, having held a series of senior positions at universities across Canada over the last 20 years."
In an interview with CTV's Ian Campbell, Wells said her first job is to get to know the area.
"I think the first jobs are to get to know the community, to restore trust, to focus on rebuilding the reputation of the institution," she said.
"We know it has a long, proud history ... Confidence is coming back to Laurentian already, the enrolment for this year has come back higher than anticipated which is tremendous news. Universities really rely on their public image to attract students both domestically and internationally, to attract high quality faculty and staff."
While not familiar with the area, Wells said she has relevant work experience.
"At the University of Regina I was involved in a lot of work with francophone units on that campus to create better integration and collaboration," she said.
"Certainly I have an extensive background in working with Indigenous people at the First Nations University of Canada."
Vernon Cameron, the chair of the school's board of governors, said the selection committee was impressed by her dedication to scholarly excellence and commitment to Indigenous and Francophone cultures.
"She demonstrated an integrity and openness that aligned perfectly with what the Laurentian community identified as what we need in a president," Cameron said.
"Her authentic and strategic leadership style has helped her to realize institutional goals in her past roles by fostering effective communication."
And Tom Fenske of the Laurentian Univefrsity Staff Union said Wells seems very prepared.
"One of the reasons we were very impressed was she had really done her homework," Fenske said.
"She has seemed to have read everything that was out there and she really had a good understanding on what it will take to rebuild that trust."
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
- Want more local news? Check out the Sudbury page
Wells has a Ph.D. in English and a master of arts in English from Western University, as well as an honours bachelor of arts in both English and French from York University.
She is a tenured professor with 20 years of experience from Brock, MacEwan, First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and University of Regina, including leadership roles such as acting dean and vice-president.
"Despite her busy administrative career, she has continued her passion for scholarship, actively teaching and publishing peer-reviewed work and presenting at academic conferences in Canada and England," Laurentian said.
"She is a highly regarded scholar, having authored multiple articles on contemporary British fiction as well two books, the most recent of which is on the prominent writer Ian McEwan, on whom she is an internationally recognized expert."
As a long-time francophone education advocate, Wells said she is committed to advancing the university's bilingual mission.
"As a descendant of settlers who had the opportunity to learn from First Nations and Métis people through my work at FNUniv, I hold genuine passion for both Francophone and Indigenous cultures that have helped me connect with Laurentian’s unique mission to meet the needs of the people of the north and the communities served by the university," she is quoted as saying in the news release.
"I am honoured to be part of Laurentian’s future."
Dr. Sheila Embleton will continue to serve as the current interim president for the next four months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From collapsing ecosystems to artificial intelligence running wild, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the coming years.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.