September 26, 2012
Premier Announces New Chancellor for Memorial University, Acknowledges Tremendous Contributions of Chancellor Hillier
The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the appointment of Dr. Susan Knight as the new Chancellor of Memorial University, following the resignation of General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier as the sixth Chancellor.
“I am thrilled that an individual whose life demonstrates extraordinary commitment to our province and our youth has accepted this appointment to serve as Chancellor of Memorial University,” said Premier Dunderdale. “I am especially pleased that for the first time in our history, we now have a woman serving as Chancellor. It is so important for young girls and women to see themselves reflected in positions of leadership within our government and institutions. Susan Knight’s accomplishments are many, with Newfoundland and Labrador benefiting enormously from her work in celebrating our heritage and strengthening our province’s choral tradition. I look forward to the contributions of Dr. Knight as Chancellor.”
Dr. Susan Knight is Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of SHALLAWAY- Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus and Festival 500: Sharing the Voices. She serves on the boards of Chorus America, the International Federation of Choral Music, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, among others. She is active internationally in a variety of capacities related to choral music and music education, including researcher, clinician, and keynote speaker. She is invested in the Orders of Canada, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Knight is an alumni of Memorial University, holding Bachelor degrees in music and music education from Memorial, in addition to a Masters of Arts in music education from St. Thomas University, Minnesota, and a Ph.D. from the University of London. She has also been honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Memorial.
See the Backgrounder below for additional biographical information.
“I have the greatest respect for Memorial University and its extraordinary contribution to our province and to the global community,” said Dr. Knight. “I am so proud and honoured to be the next Chancellor of this great university. I very much look forward to serving my alma mater in this new role as it pursues its vision of excellence.”
Details of a formal installation of the new Chancellor will be provided by Memorial University at a later date.
Premier Dunderdale also acknowledged General (Ret’d) Hillier’s contributions.
“General Hillier provided outstanding service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as Chancellor of Memorial University,” said Premier Dunderdale. “On behalf of the people of the province, I offer my thanks and appreciation for his tremendous contributions over more than four years of service. I wish him all the best.”
General (Ret’d) Hillier’s resignation was effective August 31, 2012.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Lynn Hammond Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 lynnhammond@gov.nl.ca |
Debbie Marnell Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 697-3128 debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information
Susan Knight
Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of SHALLAWAY-
Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus and Festival 500: Sharing the
Voices, Susan Knight is currently a visiting researcher at the International
Music Education Research Centre at the Institute of Education, University of
London. Dr. Knight holds Bachelor degrees in music and music education from
Memorial University, a Masters of Arts in music education from St. Thomas
University, Minnesota, a Ph.D. from the University of London, and an
Honorary Doctor of Laws from Memorial University. She has taught music
education at the elementary, undergraduate and post-graduate levels over the
past three decades, and is active internationally as a researcher,
clinician, keynote speaker, author, consultant and producer. Her research
centres principally on the phenomenon of the adult ‘non-singer’ and the role
of choral music-making in the development of empathy and community. She
serves on many boards including Chorus America, Irish Business Partnerships,
International Federation of Choral Music, the Canada Council for the Arts
and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. She is invested in the Order of
Canada and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.
2012 09 26
1:15 p.m.