Mary Anne Chambers installed as University of Guelph Chancellor
June 27, 2022
With sustainability being at the core of the University of Guelph’s transformation, newly minted Chancellor Mary Anne Chambers said the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) is well positioned to lead thinking and disseminate knowledge in several areas, including climate change, food insecurity and cyber security.
The university’s 10th ceremonial head was installed at the CEPS graduation ceremony on June 14.
“Among you are researchers and innovators who have crucial roles to play in addressing these heavy issues,” the former Ontario government minister and banking executive told the graduates. “I also believe that challenges of such magnitude with their broad implications and consequences call for the attention of the brightest minds from every academic discipline. If we imagine the various ways that human beings, plant life and animal life are impacted, it becomes obvious that there are connections, collaborations and partnerships required everywhere.”
Established in 1964 following the amalgamation of the Macdonald Institute, the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), Guelph is considered one of Canada’s leading institutions of higher learning for its rigorous academic offerings combined with experiential learning and research training.
Its graduates include George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearon who, in 2014, made history as Canada’s first Black university President at Brandon in Manitoba. He also served as President & Vice-Chancellor at Brock University.
Telling the graduands they are building upon a foundation established by high achievers from every college of the university, she introduced them to Fearon, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Programs & Partnerships Vice-Chair Dr. Dominique Charron who is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Torngat Wildlife, Plants & Fisheries Secretariat Executive Director Dr. Jamie Snook, former University of Toronto (U of T) Scarborough campus Black Students Association President Dr. Rashelle Litchmore who is an Assistant Professor at Connecticut College and entrepreneur Denham Jolly who graduated from the OAC over six decades ago.
“I want you to have a sense of what is possible,” Chambers, whose memoir will be released this summer, said. “I want you to aspire to greatness. Most of all, I want you to make your lives matter because our world truly needs you to do that.”
Mary Anne Chambers congratulates Computer Science graduate Anemmeabasi Bassey in the presence of Dr. Charlotte Yates (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
University of Guelph President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Charlotte Yates thanked Chambers for accepting the vital role that includes sitting on the Boards of Governors and Senate, presiding over convocations, conferring degrees, acting as an ambassador and connecting the university to the broader community.
“The Chancellor’s role is especially important here at Guelph with each new one building on the legacy of our longest-serving Chancellor and one of Canada’s most groundbreaking and influential leaders, Lincoln Alexander,” she said. “Mary Anne Chambers, like Lincoln, embodies our university’s purpose and promise to improve life. She has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others. She has worked tirelessly to make higher education accessible and inclusive for everyone and to improve the circumstances of children, youth and families, especially in racialized communities in Canada and around the world. In short, she is the perfect choice for our Chancellor.”
Retired Royal Bank of Canada Executive Vice-President Shauneen Bruder, who chairs the university’s Board of Governors, joined Yates in robing the new Chancellor.
University of Guelph Board Chair Shauneen Bruder (l) and President & Vice Chancellor Dr. Charlotte Yates robed Mary Anne Chambers (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“Ever since I first met Mary Anne as a freshman Governor, I have learned from her wisdom, her insight and her humanity on our Board,” the 1980 Guelph graduate pointed out. “I have watched her build bridges, counsel wisely and impact all those around her with the power of her passion, integrity and values.”
University of Toronto Scarborough campus Principal Dr. Wisdom Tettey, U of T Senior Fellow Marva Wisdom, former Citizenship Court judge Pamela Appelt, retired librarian Paula de Ronde, Jamaica’s Consul General in Toronto Lincoln Downer, Permanent Secretary & Jamaica Foreign Service head Sheila Sealy Monteith, who was vacationing in Canada where she once served as Ambassador and Litchmore, attended the special graduation.
U of T Scarborough campus Principal Dr. Wisdom Tettey and Dr. Rashelle Litchmore with new University of Guelph Chancellor Mary Anne Chambers (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Once told by a high school teacher that she is not university material, Litchmore met Chambers 15 years ago when she was an undergraduate student at the U of T Scarborough campus.
Litchmore played a leading role in starting a Black focused academic mentorship program for middle and high school students in Scarborough that Chambers made a financial commitment to help sustain.
“Your installation represents to me a full circle moment,” she told Chambers who was a member of the academic procession when Litchmore received her PhD. in Applied Social Psychology from Guelph in 2019. “It also represents your commitment to access to education for students from marginalized populations.”
A Guelph resident since 1985, Wisdom said Chambers has always spoken frankly, reflecting on how she can support change for the greater good.
“Her offerings come from a place of knowledge, empathy and experience and her leadership begs the question, ‘Who is missing from the conversation and why’?” added Wisdom. “And then she set about to find that voice, be it a young student or a not so young leadership in equity practitioner.”
Mary Anne Chambers and her husband Chris (third from right) with their sons Nick (l) and Stefan and their partners Katrina Kieley (second from left) and Minka Chambers respectively and grand-daughters Alexa (second from left) & Ashley Chambers (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Former Canadian Cricket Association President Dr. Geoff Edwards, who graduated from the university in 1973, is proud of Chambers ascendancy to Chancellor.
“I am however not surprised that a distinguished Black leader is in this role as the university had an Interim Black Dean as far back as the 1970s,” the Vincentian-born veterinarian noted.
After graduating with a doctorate in 1968, Jamaican-born Dr. Carlton Gyles returned to the university and held several senior administrative positions.
In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, many Caribbean students came to Canada to pursue agriculture, food and veterinary medicine studies at the University of Guelph.
They include soil research scientist Dr. Constantine Campbell (Jamaica), swine specialist Dr. Ernie Sandiford and veterinarian Dr. Allan Fox (Guyana) and Gabriel Ferdinand and Food Technology graduate Ian Thomasos (Trinidad & Tobago).
Campbell and Thomasos were members of the undefeated 1958 Guelph Gryphons soccer team that shared the national title that year with the Royal Military College.
The university’s cricket team, comprising mainly players of Caribbean heritage, was a dominant force in the Hamilton & District Cricket League in the late 1960s and early 70s.
