Mount Allison University in Sackville has appointed Dr. Ian Sutherland as its 16th president and vice-chancellor.
Cheryl Hodder, chair of the board of regents, said Sutherland’s appointment is the result of a comprehensive search, a unanimous recommendation of the presidential search committee, and unanimous approval from the board.
She said the presidential search focused on finding someone who would lead Mount Allison with integrity, build trust, and empower others.
“A purpose-driven leader, Dr. Sutherland embodies those characteristics and brings the energy and experience to lead Mount Allison boldly into the future,” said Hodder.
A native of Lewisporte, Nfld., Sutherland has worked in academic leadership in Atlantic Canada. He’s currently a Memorial University vice-president with primary responsibility for leading its Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook.
He also has roots in the performing arts, social sciences and liberal arts, having held a variety of leadership and academic appointments in the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, and Slovenia.
“I am elated and humbled to be joining the team at Mount Allison, a university that has always inspired me. Mount Allison is a beautiful small-town university whose students, faculty, staff and alumni have been making impacts nationally and globally for nearly 200 years. It is a university deeply devoted to making the world a better place through learning, research, and community – one that lives and breathes a student-first culture,” said Sutherland.
“This incredible experience cultivates learning environments where every student has the opportunity to not just live up to, but build new potential, beyond what we can even imagine today, and I look forward to working together with you to continue this tradition. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to collaboratively lead Mount Allison’s next chapter as Canada’s top undergraduate university.”
Dr. Robert MacKinnon will continue to serve as interim president and vice-chancellor until Sutherland arrives on July 15.
