President McPherson's Farewell Message
Dear members of our Lakehead University community,
It is with a mix of emotions that I write this last communication to you before I complete my time as President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University on June 30.
It has been a privilege to work with the many talented and exceptional people at our institution’s two campuses and to lead us through some of our most tumultuous years together. I am so proud of what we have accomplished, consistently seizing every opportunity to stand out and be recognized as the great University in the North, in Simcoe County, and beyond.
I want to applaud the efforts and achievements of Lakehead’s faculty and staff. They ensured our highest quality of learning and scholarship were maintained despite the most daunting of circumstances.
We are all here first and foremost for our students, and I have been able to get to know and celebrate the achievements of so many of them. They have demonstrated their resilience and spirit over and over during these past years, and will, I am sure, contribute to making our world and the communities they find themselves in, stronger in the future.
Convocation season is always one of the highlights of the year, but this year it was particularly special to me. Not only did we return to in-person ceremonies and events, but our Convocation teams also incorporated some very special new features. They brought the graduands, families, and friends back onto both of our campuses following each ceremony to enjoy beautifully presented festivities on our campuses. It was also my last set of ceremonies presiding as President with our wonderful Chancellor, Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell. I cherished every moment as I watched our graduands cross the stage and saw the happy faces of their families and friends beaming with pride.
In my time as President of this outstanding University, I have seen how we have been able to build upon our strengths in areas that transform the lives of students and impact the people in the communities we serve. We have partnered and collaborated to strengthen and broaden our unique position in the sector.
I will continue to remain passionately committed to the work we have advanced together on learner access, reconciliation, internationalization, research and innovation, community and economic development, and, most importantly, inspiring and supporting outstanding teaching and learning. While dedicated focus and effort must continue to advance all of our priorities, I feel the path we are moving forward on has real momentum.
I am very grateful for the many kind messages I have received in recent months. There are so many who have made my time as President positive and have contributed to our shared successes. Your support is deeply appreciated and your efforts have made me a better leader. It has truly been a remarkable five and a half years to embrace all that is Lakehead!
I am really looking forward to the new opportunities and time that I now have to advance some of my own scholarly interests. As I hand over this leadership role to my successor, I wish Dr. Gillian Siddall, each of you, and this University the absolute best.
Once again, thank you very much.
Have a wonderful summer,
Dr. Moira McPherson
President & Vice-Chancellor
Lakehead University
