New Stfx President Pledges $1 Million Research Commitment
October 23rd, 2014
StFX President Dr. Kent MacDonald set three bold priorities for StFX as he was installed as StFX’s 18th President on Friday, Oct. 3, including a recommitment to the academic purpose, expanding StFX’s global reach, and keeping education accessible to all students.
That was the message from Dr. MacDonald during his installation ceremony at the StFX Chapel.
“With your help, that’s what I intend to do,” Dr. MacDonald said to loud cheers and a standing ovation on an historic day on the StFX campus, during a memorable ceremony marked by greetings from around the world and gifts and words of friendship.
The audience included friends and colleagues, StFX faculty, staff and students, community members, dignitaries, and representatives of Canadian universities and colleges. The installation was broadcast live over stfx.ca, and from an overflow room at the Schwartz School of Business.
In outlining his main priorities for the presidential term ahead, Dr. MacDonald stated his recommitment to the academic purpose of StFX including a pledge of adding $1 million into the research budget to benefit faculty and student researchers.
He also committed to making StFX an even more international university and extending StFX’s long tradition of social justice to make the world a better place. “StFX is uniquely positioned to extend our global reach,” he said, noting that some of the world’s greatest thought leaders can be found at StFX’s Coady International Institute.
More than just increasing international enrolment, Dr. MacDonald says he commits to developing a comprehensive international strategy and StFX becoming an even more global enterprise. He pledged too to increase the number of international students on campus to comprise 10 per cent of the student body.
Attracting and retaining all students is a priority, he said, noting his objective to see StFX’s enrolment grow to 5,000 students.