Historic event celebrates McGill University's past and future
March 3, 2003
The installation can be viewed live on the Web. Starting March 11, you can also click on this site to see the videotapes of both the installation and the international symposium preceding it.
On March 10, 2003, Dr Heather Munroe-Blum will be formally installed as the 16th Principal and 12th Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. Redpath Hall (built in 1893) will be the venue for the ceremony, presided over by Chancellor Richard Pound in the presence of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, the President of the National Assembly of Quebec, the Mayor of Montreal, and many other dignitaries. University representatives from five continents will present tributes to McGill and to Dr. Munroe-Blum before, during and after the ceremony. Historic documents such as James McGill's will (1813), the University Charters of 1821 and 1852, and the records of the first installation in 1829 will be on display in the Arts Building, complemented by a virtual exhibit mounted by University Archives.
Installation address
Dr Heather Munroe-Blum's installation address will be her first public statement, setting out a broad vision of where she intends to lead the University in the future and the strategic directions her administration will take over the course of her mandate. The University's first installation address, in 1829, was delivered by Principal Georges Jehosophat Mountain.
Although attendance at the March 10 installation in Redpath Hall is by invitation only, because of the limited seating, the ceremony and Dr Munroe-Blum's address will be projected onto screens located on both the downtown and Macdonald campuses and accessible via the McGill Gateway. Faculty, staff and students will meet the newly installed principal at a special reception the following day.
International symposium
To mark this important milestone in the University's 182-year history and to celebrate the University's future as symbolized in its new leadership, Chancellor Pound will host a public symposium in Moyse Hall on the morning of March 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. Entitled "Global Reach, Local Impact: the public research university in the 21st century," the symposium will present eight prominent leaders in higher education from around the world, who will share their views on this critical topic. The Minister of State for Education and Employment of Quebec, Sylvain Simard will also participate in the program.
The eight speakers, who are subsequently receiving honorary degrees at the installation ceremony, are:
Australia
Professor Alan D. Gilbert
Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Melbourne University
South Africa
Dr Mamphela Ramphele
Former President of the University of Cape Town and currently a member of the senior leadership team at the World Bank
Brazil
Dr Naomar de Almeida-Filho
President of the Universidade Federal da Bahia
Canada
Dr. Robert Lacroix
Rector of the Université de Montréal
China
Professor Zhihong Xu
President of Peking University
Sweden
Professor Boel Flodgren
Former Vice-Chancellor and President of Lund University
USA
Professor Lee C. Bollinger
President of Columbia University
UK
The Right Honourable Lord Sutherland of HoundwoodFormer Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh
Attendance at the symposium is open to all, on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information will be posted on the Web as it becomes available.
History of McGill installations
The formal installation of McGill's principal has a long and illustrious history, beginning in 1829. According to McGill Archives, "university installation ceremonies are as varied as the institutions they represent. Common elements...include the procession of academic dignitaries in dress originating with the church and royalty of the Middle Ages; official music...official greetings...the bestowing of a ceremonial robe on the incoming principal," and the attendance of guests from many different constituencies. At McGill, these elements are further enhanced, according to tradition, by the presence of the 1852 Charter and Seal, a greeting or charge by the official Visitor (who is the Governor General of Canada), and the participation of the Chancellor as the University's titular head.
About McGill
Located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, McGill University has earned an international reputation for outstanding scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, McGill is one of two Canadian members of the American Association of Universities, which it joined in 1925. McGill's 22 faculties and professional schools offer more than 300 programs, from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. The University's professors have earned graduate degrees and completed their training in leading academics centres around the world. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries, and 25% of its student body claim a language other than English or French as their mother tongue. The University has approximately 17,611 full time undergraduate students and 6,362 graduate students.
