Premier and Minister Welcome New President for Memorial University

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, today offered their congratulations to Memorial University�s new president, Dr. Gary Kachanoski.

�On behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, I extend a warm and sincere welcome to Dr. Kachanoski, and his partner Teresa Kachanoski, to our great province,� said Premier Williams. �I am pleased that Memorial University will be led by this internationally renowned academic and scholar. I am confident that in the coming years, he will guide Memorial on a bright and successful path. I look forward to meeting Dr. Kachanoski later today and to personally extending my congratulations. Our government looks forward to working with him.�

The decision to recommend Dr. Kachanoski was supported by the Board of Regents subject to consultation with the Senate and approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. In accordance with Section 51 of the Memorial University Act, the provincial Cabinet met this morning and approved the selection of Dr. Kachanoski to the position of President.

Minister King took the opportunity to thank the members of the presidential search committee for their tenacity and dedication throughout the process.

�I want to commend each and every person on the committee,� said Minister King. �This was an incredibly important and complex task. With almost 50 candidates whose names were put forward for consideration, I am sure it was a tremendous challenge to unanimously come forward with one name. This was a thorough and fair search process and we are very pleased that it has resulted in the recruitment of an individual of such high calibre who is eminently qualified for the position. Clearly, Memorial is seen as an attractive and exciting institution.�

Premier Williams and Minister King noted the Provincial Government�s support for Memorial University. Since 2003-04, the Provincial Government has increased funding to the university by $133.5 million, to $281.7 million for the current fiscal year.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2009 11 18                     1:50 p.m.