Paul Jewer, Chair of the Board of Governors of Acadia University, today announced that the Board has re-appointed University President and Vice-Chancellor Ray Ivany to a five-year term beginning July 1, 2014. This re-appointment is an early renewal of Ivany’s initial six-year term that began on April 1, 2009, and reflects both the confidence the Board and the Acadia community have in his leadership and the enormous respect he has earned within Canada’s university sector.

“It is my sincere pleasure to announce on behalf of Acadia’s Board of Governors that Ray has been re-appointed to a second term,” said Jewer. “In our campus-wide consultations, we heard from staff, faculty and students who were overwhelmingly supportive of Ray’s leadership. The Board made renewing Ray’s appointment a strategic priority as Acadia builds growing momentum both inside and outside the institution at a time when post-secondary education in Canada is facing unprecedented challenges”

Since Ivany’s arrival in 2009, Acadia has made tremendous progress in several important areas:

• Student enrolment has increased by 26 per cent and has returned to levels that are more sustainable over the long term;
• Relationships with key external stakeholders such as governments and community organizations are positive and are leading to more partnerships and opportunities for students, faculty and staff;
• Acadia’s reputation for academic excellence continues to expand, and is increasingly evident in student successes in national competitions and faculty research programs that attract interest from public and private sector funding agencies; and
• Significant growth in alumni involvement and financial support for Acadia.

“Ray has demonstrated a commitment to Acadia that is as strong as our most loyal alumni, and he makes students and their experience at Acadia the focus of his attention,” said Jewer. “I believe it is fitting that as we celebrate the achievements of our students during this weekend’s Convocation ceremonies and as Acadia celebrates its 175^thanniversary, we can look forward to having Ray Ivany as our President and Vice-Chancellor for five more years.”

“It is an honour to be re-appointed as Acadia’s President for the next five years,” replied Ivany. “I am pleased with the progress we’ve made since 2009 but I am equally proud of the traditions we’ve retained – and none more important than our commitment to academic excellence. Acadia deserves its reputation as one of Canada’s top universities and I am excited about the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of faculty, staff and students to further strengthen the unique Acadia experience.”

About Acadia

Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at www.acadiau.ca.

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