UPEI announces Don McDougall as Chancellor-Elect
The University of Prince Edward Island announced today that alumnus, donor, and honorary degree recipient Don McDougall has been unanimously elected as the eighth Chancellor of the University for a four-year term. An installation date is not yet confirmed, but the ceremony will take place early in 2014.
'It is an honour to officially announce Dr. Don McDougall as the University's Chancellor-Elect,' said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. Abd-El-Aziz, along with UPEI Board of Governors Chair Tom Cullen, co-chaired the Chancellor Electoral Committee.
'The unanimous decision and positive comments regarding Dr. McDougall's leadership, experience, and reputation speaks volumes to his character, and to his expected success in this pivotal leadership position. I congratulate Don on his new role as Chancellor and thank him sincerely for his dedication to the University of Prince Edward Island.'
McDougall spent his formative years in Bloomfield, PEI before attending both St. Dunstan's High School and University. He taught high school in Summerside before moving to London, Ontario to attend the University of Western Ontario (UWO) where he completed his Master of Business Administration degree in 1961. He spent the next 12 years in managerial positions with the Labatt Brewing Company, and then served as President from 1973-79.
He acquired Stratford, Ontario-based Novatronics Inc. in 1983, and over the next 20 years, expanded his aerospace company globally before selling to Curtis-Wright Inc. in 2003. He continued to be involved in a number of private and public companies and organizations including Rambri Management, Burlington's Investments, eJust Systems, Systemhouse Inc., St. Raymond Paper Company, The Science and Technology Fund, and Slemon Park Corporation.
In several nomination letters, McDougall was described as having strong connections to the business community in Canada and exceptional networking skills, with a demonstrated interest in higher education at UPEI, Holland College, UWO, and other Canadian post-secondary education institutions.
McDougall and his wife Marion are no strangers to UPEI. Dr. McDougall is a graduate of St. Dunstan's University (SDU) while Mrs. McDougall is both a PWC and SDU alumna. In addition to having attended the University, the McDougalls have been great benefactors to UPEI, with the innovative Don and Marion McDougall Hall having been named in their honour in 2008. McDougall Hall is home to the Centre for Life-long Learning, School of Business, and Co-operative Education programs.
Nominators also noted McDougall's extensive involvement in the community, including his role as past chair of the Board of Governors of UWO, as well as serving on the Ivey Business School of UWO's Advisory Board for nine years. In 1976, he was elected Canada's 'Baseball Man of the Year' and was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts in bringing a major league baseball franchise-the Toronto Blue Jays-to Toronto.
'This is an unexpected, but much appreciated honour. Both Marion and I graduated from UPEI and have a deep debt of gratitude to our Alma Mater,' said McDougall. 'As Chancellor, I will strive to contribute constructively to the governance of the University and will engage with and motivate our students to excel in their chosen professions.'
McDougall and his wife currently reside in Stratford, Ontario and have a summer residence in Ebbsfleet, PEI. McDougall will replace the University's seventh chancellor William E. 'Bill' Andrew who was installed in 2005 and whose extended term concludes in 2013.
For information:
Nicole Phillips
Manager, Marketing and Communications
University of Prince Edward Island
(902) 566-0947, (902) 388-1832, nphillips@upei.ca
