John MacDonald Appointed to Second term as UNBC Chancellor
John MacDonald, the Chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, will once again be granting degrees at convocation, after recently being reappointed to the position by UNBC’s Board of Governors. Dr. MacDonald was born and raised in Prince Rupert. He was a founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of one of Canada’s most successful companies, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, and later turned his attention to green technology before his appointment as Chancellor of UNBC in 2010.
Media Download: UNBC Chancellor John MacDonald on UNBC's Prince George campus.
“It is once again an honour for UNBC to have one of Canada's greatest innovators and entrepreneurs to serve as a passionate advocate for this university,” says UNBC President George Iwama. “John MacDonald is a northerner, educator, researcher, and visionary who will continue to provide guidance to UNBC as we grow, and realize our potential as Canada’s Green University.”
Dr. MacDonald has a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a member of the faculty at both UBC and MIT before entering the business world. He is also an Officer of the Order of Canada.
"I'm pleased to continue to serve UNBC and Northern BC as we look towards the University's 25th anniversary in 2015," says Dr. MacDonald. "I congratulate the Class of 2013 on their accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing them cross the stage during convocation at UNBC’s Prince George campus, and during the regional ceremonies in the coming days."
Dr. MacDonald follows Iona V. Campagnolo, K. George Pedersen, Peter J.G. Bentley, and Alex C. Michalos as Chancellors of UNBC. He was officially installed during the Convocation ceremony on May 28, 2010. The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University and a primary duty is granting degrees at annual Convocation ceremonies. UNBC’s 20th convocation is on Friday, May 31, in the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, with regional convocations to occur on location in Terrace, Gitwinksihlkw, Quesnel, and Fort St. John in the week to follow.