Queen’s appoints Principal

Queen’s University’s Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Tom Williams as Principal and Vice-Chancellor in order to provide leadership for the University over the next 12 to 14 months until the next Principal is appointed.

Dr. Williams has served in many key leadership roles at Queen’s since arriving in 1977 to assume the position of Dean, Faculty of Education. Subsequent appointments include Coordinator of Graduate Programmes and Acting Director of the School of Policy Studies; Vice-Principal (Operations and University Finance); and Vice-Principal (Institutional Relations). Currently, he is Chair of the Building Committee for the University’s Performing Arts Centre.

He has also made extensive contributions to the Kingston community. These include his work on the boards of both Hotel Dieu Hospital and Kingston General Hospital which is ongoing; his past board membership with the Kingston Community Foundation; his past role as Chair of the Board of Kingston YMCA; and his current role as a member of Imagine Kingston. In the late nineties, he served a term as the honorary president of the AMS.

“I’m very pleased to be able to make this announcement,” says Bill Young, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are very fortunate to have someone with the leadership abilities, depth of knowledge and commitment to Queen’s that Tom has demonstrated for so many years. We especially appreciate that he is willing to assume this role at such an important time in the life of the university.”

The appointment of Dr. Williams as Principal becomes effective May 1, 2008.

“I am honoured to be asked to serve in this role for the university to which I’ve dedicated so much of my professional life,” Dr. Williams says. “I am passionate about Queen’s and its people and look forward to working with members of the Queen’s community as we plan for the future.”

Dr. Karen Hitchcock recently announced her decision to withdraw her request for reappointment to a second term as Principal and to step aside, effective April 30.

In an email to faculty, staff and students, she indicated her wish “to ensure a smooth transition” and conveyed her gratitude and best wishes to the Queen’s community. “It has been an honour to serve Queen’s and I wish only the best for the University we all love,” she said.

At the same time, the University is putting the wheels in motion for the search for the next Principal. “We will be putting a strong focus on this in the days ahead,” says Mr. Young.

The Board of Trustees is expected to approve the selection of its nine members of the Principal’s search committee at its May 3 meeting. Soon after, the Senate will round out the 18-person joint Board/Senate committee with the announcement of its nine representatives. The Chancellor acts as committee chair.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr. Williams contact Communications Coordinator Lorinda Peterson at 613 533-3234 or lorinda.peterson@queensu.ca