CALGARY- The University of Calgary has brought a high-profile Canadian on board, to fill a prestigious post.
Former astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk has been named as the school’s 13th chancellor. He graduated from the U of C in 1976 with a mechanical engineering degree, and received an honorary doctorate while orbiting in space.
Get breaking National news
“He’s a wonderful Canadian icon with connections over the world,” says U of C president Elizabeth Cannon. “He’s energetic, passionate, and will be a wonderful chancellor.”
Thirsk admits he was hesitant about taking the job, but is up for the challenge.
“My main reason for saying yes is at this time in my life it’s important to give back, and make university a better place every year,” he says. “If you’re like me, you think of a chancellor at convocation handing out degrees. That’s how naïve I was, but it’s more than that.
“The chancellor is the bridge between university and community.”
Thirsk’s four year term will start on July 2.
- Albertans already searching for alternatives to American beer, wine and spirits
- Canadian leisure travel to U.S. down 40% in February, Flight Centre says
- Banff’s meteorological winter has been driest on record, Environment Canada says
- Alberta’s premier makes the rounds on U.S. TV networks to defend new booze rules
Comments