At its annual fall meeting, Acadia University’s Governing Board elected John Rogers (’79) as Chair. Formerly Board Secretary, Rogers joined Acadia’s Board in 2009 and succeeds Paul Jewer (’94) who began his term as Board Chair in October 2009.  

“I’m honoured and humbled to serve as Chair of Acadia’s Board of Governors,” said Rogers. “During my seven years on the Board, I’ve learned a great deal about how deeply our faculty, staff and alumni care about Acadia and have been inspired by the students I’ve had an opportunity to meet. Acadia was a wonderful experience for me, and my fellow Board members – almost all of whom are also alumni – are determined to keep Acadia at the forefront as one of Canada’s most well-respected post-secondary institutions. I want to thank Paul for his tremendous dedication and hard work on behalf of everyone connected to Acadia and look forward to his continued support of our Board.”

Rogers is a partner at Halifax law firm Stewart McKelvey, where he was Chief Executive Officer/Managing Partner for more than 12 years. Beyond his record of success with Stewart McKelvey, he is actively involved in his community. In addition to his Acadia Board duties, he is Chair and Director of United Way Halifax; Director of Junior Achievement of Canada Foundation; Director of Nova Scotia Health Authority; and trustee of Legal Leaders for Diversity Trust Fund.

Rogers has also served as: Chair and Director of IWK Health Centre; Chair and Director of Halifax Chamber of Commerce; Campaign Co-Chair of United Way Halifax; Division Chair Marketing and Sponsorship and Director of 2011 Halifax Canada Winter Games Host Society; member of Advisory Panel to Nova Scotia Minister of Health and Wellness on District Health Authority Consolidation; Halifax Corporate Campaign Chair ofJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; and Director and Secretary of Discovery Centre. Rogers received his BA from Acadia in 1979 and his law degree from Dalhousie University in 1983. He was made Queen’s Counsel in 2002 and received his ICD.D designation in 2016.

Rogers takes over the helm from Paul Jewer, who says, “Serving Acadia as Chair of its Board of Governors has been an enormously gratifying experience. We are witnessing a number of changes and challenges within the Canadian post-secondary education sector but it is gratifying to see that Acadia continues to thrive by maintaining its focus on the student experience, their individual academic success, and their growth as human beings. I want to thank my fellow Board members for their support and tireless efforts on behalf of Acadia and wish John every success. We have all benefited from our time at Acadia and its continued growth is an important priority for everyone.”

-30-