September 19, 2007 — I have reached an agreement with our Board of Governors to leave my position as President of Concordia University on October 31, 2007.
I am very proud and honoured to have led this institution for the past two years. We have developed a talented, dedicated and professional leadership group that has worked to reinforce Concordia on many fronts. I leave a university that is in very capable hands and is poised to take the next great step in its development.
During the last two years, my team has reinforced our academic development, particularly our teaching and research. We developed innovative approaches to the needs of today’s students, reinforced our faculties, research and graduate programs and founded our innovative “School of General Studies”. We built up Concordia’s public profile with decision-makers, the media and the general public to make Concordia a first-choice institution for students and faculty. We worked in a collegial way to develop a strategic vision and action plan ensuring both continued growth and financial viability. Our international academic ties and the Concordia tradition of outreach, involvement and partnerships with the local and international communities have been strengthened.
I will be leaving Concordia with a strong sense of accomplishment and a deep appreciation of the support that I have had from the entire Concordia community. I will remain a strong supporter of Concordia and I will be following the continued development of this fine institution.
Again, I would like to thank the entire Concordia community for their support and particularly the members of my cabinet and my colleagues in the President’s office.
