Queen’s University introduced its next Principal and Vice-Chancellor today at a special announcement event in Stauffer Library. Patrick Deane will become the 21st Principal and Vice-Chancellor on July 1, 2019, succeeding Principal Daniel Woolf.

Dr. Deane is currently the President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, but he is also a familiar presence here at Queen’s. Before moving to Hamilton in 2010, he served as Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen’s from 2005 to 2010.

“It’s an incredible honour for me to be returning to Queen’s at this point in its long and impressive history,” says Dr. Deane. “Exciting things have been happening on this campus over the past few years and I’m looking forward to helping capture this precious momentum and to shape the university’s promising future.”

“It’s an incredible honour for me to be returning to Queen’s at this point in its long and impressive history.” - Patrick Deane

The announcement of Dr. Deane’s appointment follows a thorough search process launched earlier this year. A Joint Board - Senate Principal Search Committee assessed candidates from across Canada, and some from overseas, before recommending Dr. Deane to the Board of Trustees. The committee also invited members of the Queen’s community to send in their thoughts on the principalship and the university’s priorities for consideration as part of the process.

“Dr. Deane is widely respected as a deft and experienced leader with an exceptional track record in the post-secondary sector,” says Jim Leech, Chancellor and Chair of the Search Committee. “He exemplifies the high level of excellence we were looking for and will bring to the role incredible passion for our university and outstanding leadership and expertise.”

As president of McMaster, Dr. Deane has championed a distinctive and engaging student learning experience, enhanced collaborations with local and global communities, and worked to strengthen the university’s reputation as a top research-intensive institution. Following his first term, he was unanimously appointed to a second as President and Vice-Chancellor.

“Queen’s has been busy over the past decade enhancing our already leading student learning experience, increasing our focus on research, deepening our ties to important international partners, and focusing on financial sustainability,” says Donald Raymond, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Under the direction of Principal Daniel Woolf, Queen’s is now able to invest in stunning new buildings and facilities, and we are well on our way to hiring 200 new faculty over five years as part of our largest ever recruitment initiative.” 

Joining the Chancellor and Board Chair, the Queen’s Rector, Alexandra da Silva, also had an important role in the official announcement event, introducing the Principal Designate to the audience gathered at the media announcement.

“As a student representative on the joint search committee, I was thrilled we found a Principal Designate with incredible outside experience, but who also understands all of the things that contribute to that special ‘Queen’s magic’,” says Rector da Silva. 

Originally from South Africa, Dr. Deane earned his baccalaureate at Johannesburg's University of the Witwatersrand, before immigrating to Canada where he completed a master’s degree and PhD in English at the University of Western Ontario. He went on to serve as a faculty member at the University of Toronto, and then the University of Western Ontario, where he became Chair of the English department. In 2001, Dr. Deane moved to the University of Winnipeg where he was appointed Vice-President (Academic) and served as acting-president from 2003 to 2004. 

“Dr. Deane and I have worked closely together at many tables over the years, including here at Queen’s and at the Council of Ontario Universities,” says Principal Woolf. “I look forward to being one of the first to welcome him back to campus, and I am pleased to know I will be leaving the office in such very capable hands.”