University announces departure of President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons
Posted: December 12, 2019 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Vianne Timmons will leave a legacy of strong leadership, tireless devotion, infectious enthusiasm, and positive change at the University of Regina. Photo: U of R Photography
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Today the University's Board of Governors announced the departure of the University's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons.
Timmons provided her resignation to the Board in order to pursue a new opportunity as President and Vice-Chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland effective April 1, 2020.
"The Board is supportive of Dr. Timmons' decision, and we wish her the very best in her new role," said Roger Brandvold, Chair of the University of Regina's Board of Governors. "We do recognize, however, that we are losing a tremendous leader - someone who has tirelessly devoted so much time and energy to the University of Regina during the course of the last decade."
The Board Chair noted that among her many accomplishments, Dr. Timmons has played a leading role in the University's growth during her tenure as President and Vice-Chancellor. The University has experienced 11 consecutive years of enrolment growth. The University has also become incredibly diverse with 13.2 per cent of the student population self-identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit and international students comprising 19.1 per cent of the student population.
"Dr. Timmons leaves the institution in a strong position," said Brandvold. "In addition to growing enrolments, the University has made many investments during her time here to better support our students, grow our research enterprise, connect with our local and provincial communities, and enhance our physical campus while maintaining a balanced budget."
"The decision to leave the University of Regina is not one that I made lightly," said Timmons. "The University of Regina, our city, and our province welcomed me and my family so warmly when we arrived in 2008, and my love for and commitment to this province have only grown since that time. However, at this point in my life and career I could not pass up the opportunity to return to my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador to take on new challenges at Memorial University of Newfoundland."
The Board of Governors has named Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Thomas Chase, as interim President effective April 1. Dr. Chase's involvement with the University as a student, professor, and administrator dates back more than four decades. Having served as Provost since 2011, Dr. Chase has overseen the academic operations and budgets of the University, guiding academic policy and overseeing activity related to teaching and mentorship.
The Board plans to launch a comprehensive search for the University of Regina's eighth president in 2020.
"I would like to thank Dr. Timmons for her strong leadership and continued commitment to furthering the institution's academic mission of teaching, research and community service," said Brandvold. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Chase for stepping into the role while the Board launches a search for the next president. The Board is confident that the University will continue to make great strides under Dr. Chase's leadership."
Read Dr. Timmons' note to the University of Regina community here.