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
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
Remaining wrongful death lawsuit filed after deadly Astroworld concert has been settled, lawyer says
The one remaining wrongful death lawsuit filed after 10 people were killed during a deadly crowd crush at the 2021 Astroworld music festival has been settled, an attorney said Thursday.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
'I won't stop,' Celine Dion says in trailer for upcoming doc about her health woes
Celine Dion's fans are getting a first glimpse of the superstar's struggle with a rare neurological disorder in an emotional trailer for an upcoming documentary about her career and life.
Rapper Sean Kingston's home raided by SWAT; mother arrested on fraud and theft charges
A SWAT team raided rapper Sean Kingston's rented South Florida mansion on Thursday and arrested his mother on fraud and theft charges that an attorney says stem partly from the installation of a massive TV at the home.
Hidden risks: Why ultra-processed food may be hurting our brains
Ultra-processed foods are quick, convenient and hard to avoid, but there is growing evidence that eating these products can have an impact on brain health, leading to cognitive decline and stroke.