David H. Turpin has been named as the 13th president of the University of Alberta.
Turpin, who most recently served as president of the University of Victoria, is a Canadian academic leader and renowned international scholar whose achievements are recognized across the post-secondary sector. His appointment was approved Nov. 13 by the U of A Board of Governors.
He will replace President Indira Samarasekera when her second term expires June 30, 2015.
"The opportunity to lead a university that has, for more than a century, been committed to 'uplifting the whole people' draws me here," Turpin said at the announcement Nov. 14 in Convocation Hall. "The U of A has a real sense of purpose, a real excitement for what's next, at this university, in this province and in our country."
Board chair Doug Goss, who led the year-long international search for a new president, said Turpin rose to the top of an outstanding pool of candidates due to his impressive combination of academic, administrative and leadership achievements.
Turpin attended elementary school in Calgary and his great-grandfather was an Alberta rancher.
Before becoming president of UVic in 2000, he served as provost and vice-principal (academic) at Queen's University and as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science prior to that. He served as professor and head of the botany department at the University of British Columbia. In 1980, he earned his PhD in botany and oceanography at UBC, where he also completed his bachelor of science in cell biology in 1977.
Turpin says his connection and commitment to communities served by the post-secondary sector are the hallmark of his successes.
"Communities rise or fall on each person's willingness to invest in other people - to give them the means to become the best they can be so that they, too, can give back in kind," he said. "That to me exemplifies the virtuous circle of the public university."
Turpin has earned some of Canada's most prestigious honours. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Royal Society of Canada and has received the Queen's Diamond and Golden Jubilee medals. He was also named a Steacie Memorial Fellow by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in 1989 and joins a select group of Canadian researchers on the global Highly Cited Researchers list.
Outgoing president Samarasekera said Turpin's combination of scholarly and executive excellence will serve the U of A well. "I have enormous pride and confidence in the U of A and believe that we will continue to play a critical leadership role in our communities and our society - with David's vision and under his leadership."
Samarasekera also announced the establishment of an endowed fund at the U of A with a lead donation. The Indira V. Samarasekera Global Student Leadership Fund will support students in their pursuit of education, research and community service experiences beyond Canadian borders.
Turpin, who most recently served as president of the University of Victoria, is a Canadian academic leader and renowned international scholar whose achievements are recognized across the post-secondary sector. His appointment was approved Nov. 13 by the U of A Board of Governors.
He will replace President Indira Samarasekera when her second term expires June 30, 2015.
"The opportunity to lead a university that has, for more than a century, been committed to 'uplifting the whole people' draws me here," Turpin said at the announcement Nov. 14 in Convocation Hall. "The U of A has a real sense of purpose, a real excitement for what's next, at this university, in this province and in our country."
Board chair Doug Goss, who led the year-long international search for a new president, said Turpin rose to the top of an outstanding pool of candidates due to his impressive combination of academic, administrative and leadership achievements.
Turpin attended elementary school in Calgary and his great-grandfather was an Alberta rancher.
Before becoming president of UVic in 2000, he served as provost and vice-principal (academic) at Queen's University and as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science prior to that. He served as professor and head of the botany department at the University of British Columbia. In 1980, he earned his PhD in botany and oceanography at UBC, where he also completed his bachelor of science in cell biology in 1977.
Turpin says his connection and commitment to communities served by the post-secondary sector are the hallmark of his successes.
"Communities rise or fall on each person's willingness to invest in other people - to give them the means to become the best they can be so that they, too, can give back in kind," he said. "That to me exemplifies the virtuous circle of the public university."
Turpin has earned some of Canada's most prestigious honours. He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Royal Society of Canada and has received the Queen's Diamond and Golden Jubilee medals. He was also named a Steacie Memorial Fellow by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in 1989 and joins a select group of Canadian researchers on the global Highly Cited Researchers list.
Outgoing president Samarasekera said Turpin's combination of scholarly and executive excellence will serve the U of A well. "I have enormous pride and confidence in the U of A and believe that we will continue to play a critical leadership role in our communities and our society - with David's vision and under his leadership."
Samarasekera also announced the establishment of an endowed fund at the U of A with a lead donation. The Indira V. Samarasekera Global Student Leadership Fund will support students in their pursuit of education, research and community service experiences beyond Canadian borders.
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