Durham College installs Leah Myers as president
September 20, 2006
Fourth president takes helm of number-one college in the GTA
OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College began a new chapter in its already impressive history this afternoon as students, faculty, staff, alumni and business partners, as well as community members and distinguished guests gathered at the college's campus in Oshawa, Ontario to witness the official installation ceremony of new President Leah Myers.
The ceremony, which was held at the South Residence Cafeteria Courtyard, saw Phillip (Rocky) Simmons, vice-chair of the Durham College Board of Governors, officially install Myers. The 20-year veteran of the Ontario Public Service is the college's fourth president since opening its doors in the fall of 1967. The ceremony paid tribute to the near 40-year legacy of the college while providing a clear look to the institution's future.
"On behalf of the Durham College Board of Governors and the entire college community at large, I am delighted to bestow Leah Myers with this incredible honour," said Simmons. "It is with confidence that the board entrusts her with Durham College's rich history and promising future, which includes fostering our many strengths while identifying ways to improve even more. Leah's leadership will ensure we remain on the path of excellence we started close to 40 years ago."
Following the official installation ceremony, which included the robing of Myers in the official green and gold president's gown in front of a crowd of approximately 400 people, Myers delivered her installation address with a focus on the college's history and accomplished leadership, innovative present, and promising future.
Through an installation address lasting approximately 20 minutes, she discussed Durham College's unique partnerships, community supporters and academic colleagues; the many innovative programs it was the first in the province to introduce i.e. Pharmaceutical and Food Science Technology (formerly Food and Drug Technology), Water Quality Technician, and Biomedical Engineering Technology; and the college's unwavering commitment to its number one priority - student success.
"Today's event formally acknowledges my commitment to lead Durham College as its fourth president. I am honoured to take on this role and grateful to the Board of Governors for its confidence in me and for the vision and imagination it brings to the governance of the college," said Myers.
Though ceremonially installed today, Myers has served as Durham College's president since the beginning of April, when she took over from Dr. Gary Polonsky. In addition to members of the college community, Myers was inaugurated before academic colleagues from across Ontario, and municipal and provincial leaders from the GTA, including Region of Durham Chair Roger Anderson and Wayne Arthurs, MPP, Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge and parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance.
"I am privileged to have the opportunity to continue the amazing post-secondary education vision that began with Dr. Gordon Willey in 1967, continued with Mel Garland, and was most recently embraced by Dr. Gary Polonsky," added Myers. "Using their experience and expertise as my guide and with the support of the campus and the community, I look forward to maintaining the high standards of quality and excellence that the college is known for, shaping new goals for the future, and always remaining true to the number-one priority of Durham College - the success of our students."
Myers brings strong leadership and extensive experience in post-secondary education and training issues to the college based on a 20-year career in the Ontario Public Service and a lifelong commitment to the value of education and training in building a prosperous economy and society.
A longtime resident of the GTA, she played a key role in the design and start-up of the Ministry of Research and Innovation, a new ministry led by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, immediately prior to joining Durham College. Myers is also the former executive director of the Secretariat that provided research, policy, consultation, communication, and project support to the Postsecondary Review conducted by former Ontario premier the Honourable Bob Rae.
To view a full copy of President Leah Myer's installation address please visit
www.durhamcollege.ca.
About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for seven years running, and at a 93.1 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We have over 6,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in over 100 programs and courses, and over 2,000 apprentices. For more information, visit our website at
www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.
Media contact:
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
allison.rosnak@dc-uoit.ca
Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications and Marketing.
