Principal's holiday message

To the Members of the McGill Community,

What an extraordinary year this has been for us at McGill.  There has been much to celebrate in all corners of the University including Nobel prizes, world leaders, our continued high standing, at home and abroad, and the always-outstanding accomplishments of our faculty, administrative and support staff, our students and our alumni.

Of course we all look forward to this very welcome time at the close of the calendar year when we can pause for a few days – to reflect on the year that has almost passed, to look forward to the future and, above all, to spend valuable time with our friends and our families.  Everyone at McGill works hard and we must also strive to achieve balance with our lives outside of the University.  I urge all of you to make the most of this opportunity, to share more time than you usually may have with your dear ones, and to make time for yourself and the special things you love to do.

McGill’s greatness is the product of deep dedication, collegiality and ingenuity, and a firm commitment on behalf of our whole community, to the McGill community and to the McGill cause that we all share: ensuring that McGill is the best it can possibly be, every day.  That we are able to do so much with limited resources can be a source of pride for each of us.  And all of these fine qualities will stand us in good stead as we look to 2010 and face both the great opportunities ahead and the still stuttering economic recovery and the demands it places on all of us.

At this special time of year, I take this moment to say thank you, to each and every one of you who have contributed so much to McGill this year.  Your work and your dedication to McGill are deeply appreciated and important.  The results speak for themselves.

I wish you and those you love a safe, healthy and joyous holiday season, and much happiness and fulfillment in the year ahead.

Warm regards,

Heather Munroe-Blum
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
McGill University