Hawkins was selected from a very strong pool of candidates and comes to the University of Regina from Nipissing
University in North Bay, Ont., where he is vice-president (academic and research).
"The University of Regina is at a high point and has experienced extensive growth in its programs, faculty and
facilities in recent years," Fredrickson says. "We are very excited about this appointment because it will allow
us to continue to build on the momentum that is underway, and it will take us in new directions that contribute to the
future of Saskatchewan. We are happy to welcome Bob and his family to our
University, our city and our province."
"I am very excited about coming to the University of Regina and look forward to getting to know everyone as we build
futures through our teaching, research and service to the community," Hawkins says.
In 1988, Hawkins received a Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies avec mention, in French constitutional and
administrative law from Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne.) He has a master of laws degree from Yale
University Law School and is a member of The Law Society of Upper Canada. He completed his bachelor of laws degree at the
University of Toronto Law School. Hawkins also holds master of arts and bachelor of arts degrees in modern British history
from Oxford University (Corpus Christi College) and a bachelor of arts (Honours) in history and economics from the
University of Manitoba.
Originally from Manitoba, Hawkins is an active researcher, and has been recognized for his teaching and scholarship. His
expertise is in the areas of constitutional, administrative, and contract law, and in negotiation and mediation. His
scholarly activities include published articles, chapters in books, conference presentations, case comment and book
reviews, as well as nine unpublished legal casebooks. Recently, he spoke to newly appointed judges of the Ontario Court of
Justice about criminal pre-trial conference proceedings.
In addition to his role as vice-president at Nipissing University, Hawkins is an adjunct professor of law at the University
of Western Ontario (UWO). Hawkins was on faculty at UWO from 1992 to 2000, where he received the Award for Excellence in
Undergraduate Teaching as well as the Faculty of Law's Professor of the Year award.
In addition to UWO and Nipissing University, Hawkins served at St. Francis Xavier University, where he was dean of arts,
and taught at Queen's University Faculty of Law, where he received the Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence.
Hawkins' professional activities include membership in the Ontario and national councils for academic vice-presidents,
and in the Ontario Council on University Research. He has extensive involvement in community and development activities in
the health care sectors of North Bay and London, Ont., including as a member of the North Bay General Hospital Ethics
Committee, past-president and honorary life director of the Children's Health Foundation of London Ontario, and is a
past director of the Children's Miracle Network International Board of Trustees.
Hawkins is married to Marie-France Menc and they have three sons, Nicolas (15), Pierre (14) and François (10).
Hawkins' appointment follows a comprehensive, national, confidential search following University of Regina's
standard practice. Members of the Board of Governors and other elected and appointed representatives of the U of R
community comprised the selection committee.
Hawkins will take over from Dr. David T. Barnard, who announced in September 2004 that he will leave his position at the
end of August 2005. Barnard has been president and vice-chancellor since July 1, 1998, and is completing his seventh year
in a 10-year mandate. Prior to his time as president, Barnard was vice-chancellor (administration) and controller from 1996
to 1998.
Backgrounder:
Robert Edward Hawkins, University of Regina President-designate
Currently:
Vice-President, Academic and Research, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario;
Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
Education:
Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies, Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne);
Master of Laws, Yale University Law School;
Bachelor of Laws, University of Toronto Law School;
Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Oxford University (Corpus Christi College);
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Manitoba (St. John's College)
Previous academic appointments include:
Nipissing University - vice-president, academic and research; professor of law;
St. Francis Xavier University - dean of arts; professor of law;
University of Western Ontario - professor of law; associate dean (administration);
Queen's University - assistant professor
Previous non-academic appointments include:
Genest Murray DesBrisay Lamek, Toronto - visiting director of research;
Weir & Foulds, Toronto - associate lawyer;
Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada - executive assistant to The Hon. Donald S. Macdonald
Honors and awards include:
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, University of Western Ontario;
Professor of the Year, Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario;
Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence, Queen's University;
National Scholar, Queen's University
Scholarly and professional activities include:
Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents;
National Association of Vice-Presidents Academic;
Ontario Council on University Research;
Member of The Law Society of Upper Canada
Community service includes:
North Bay General Hospital Ethics Committee;
Children's Miracle Network International Board of Trustees;
Children's Health Foundation of London Ontario past-president and honorary life director;
London Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors