DR. EMOKE SZATHMÁRY TO BECOME 10TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1996.
DR. EMOKE SZATHMÁRY
TO BECOME
10TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1996.
Dr. Emoke Szathmáry (Em-a-ka Satmáry) has been appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba for a seven year term, effective July 1, 1996. She is currently Provost and Vice-President Academic at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Dr. Szathmáry was appointed Provost and Vice-President Academic in 1994. In this role she is the chief operating officer of the University responsible for all faculties, the libraries, information and technology services, the Registrar's office, and student affairs. In addition, the Vice-President and Dean (Health Sciences) reports to her on academic matters. Dr. Szathmáry is Chair of the Board-Senate Committee on Academic Planning.
Prior to her appointment at McMaster, Dr. Szathmáry was Dean of Social Science at the University of Western Ontario where she headed a Faculty with over 230 professors, more than 100 staff members, and over 6400 undergraduate and graduate students. As Dean, her priority was to develop more cohesiveness in the Faculty, while reducing funding by 13 percent.
Dr. Szathmáry is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a BA(Hons)(1968) and a Ph.D. in Anthropology (1974). Following a year's appointment as Assistant Professor at Trent University, she joined the Department of Anthropology at McMaster University as Assistant Professor in 1978 and was promoted to full professor in 1983. She was named Chair of the Department of Anthropology in 1985, a position she held until 1988 when she was named Dean at Western. During her term as Chair, she initiated the expansion of the doctoral program to include Archaeology and Physical Anthropology. While at McMaster, Dr. Szathmáry was as a member of the Executive of the Faculty Association and served as an elected member of the Board of Governors.
Dr. Szathmáry maintains an active research program. She is currently Editor of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology and serves on the Executive Committee of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. Her research interest is human population genetics, specifically the genetics of the aboriginal peoples of North America and adjacent peoples of Siberia. Her most recent work sought to identify the genetic and environmental factors involved in the onset of non-insulin dependent diabetes in Indians. Her anthropology field research has included studies among Ottawa and Ojibwa peoples of Northern Ontario and the Dene of the Northwest Territories.
In commenting on her appointment, Dr. Szathmáry said: "The decisions that will be required in the next few years are going to have a profound impact on the quality and direction of higher education in Manitoba. With this appointment, I have been given a tremendous opportunity to lead the shaping of the University to fulfil its mission and the aspirations of its members. This is also the time to embrace the community in which the University is rooted to foster societal development and to imbue the citizens of Manitoba with confidence that through their University they will gain the learning and technical know-how to compete successfully in the national and global market place."
Keith G. Findlay, Chair of the Board of Governors, commented that "Dr. Szathmáry has the academic profile, the administrative experience and the management and communication skills required to meet the challenges facing the University. She is deeply committed to the fundamental worth of universities and will be a very effective leader and strong advocate for The University of Manitoba in promoting the University to our many constituencies".
The recommendation for the appointment of Dr. Szathmáry was made by a thirteen member committee chaired by Chancellor Arthur Mauro. The committee included six members elected by the Board of Governors and six members elected by Senate, and included academic staff, support staff, students, and community members of the Board of Governors.
Dr. Szathmáry succeeds Dr. Arnold Naimark who will complete fifteen years as President on June 30, 1996.