David Farrar is McMaster’s new Provost

McMaster has officially announced the appointment of David Farrar as the University’s new provost and vice-president, Academic. Both the Senate and the Board of Governors Executive have approved the appointment. Farrar joins McMaster from the University of British Columbia where he served as provost from 2007 to 2015 as well as interim president in 2016.

The search committee unanimously recommended his appointment highlighting his “deep understanding of the full complexity of the issues and challenges facing post secondary institutions, his collegial and collaborative approach to decision-making, his understanding of the financial and budgetary landscape, and his commitment both to supporting the research enterprise and to enhancing the student experience.”

In addition to his experience at UBC, Farrar also spent many years at the University of Toronto where he was vice-provost (students), deputy-provost, and chair of the Chemistry department.

“This is an exciting appointment for McMaster,” said president Patrick Deane. “Not only does David have outstanding academic and administrative experience, but he also has a deeply-held commitment to advancing issues of equity and to working collaboratively with colleagues across campus.”

Farrar says the more he has learned about McMaster, the more anxious he is to join the University and be part of what he calls its steep trajectory. “The strength of McMaster’s learning environment, its excellence in research, its strong connections to its local community, and its potential to continue to expand its international presence makes it a most unique institution. I look forward eagerly to many conversations with faculty, staff, students and alumni to gain quickly a better understanding of McMaster and its ambition.”

Farrar’s undergraduate and Masters degrees are from the University of Toronto and he earned his PhD at the University of Western Ontario. He is currently living in the GTA while on academic leave from UBC.

His appointment takes effect on October 1^st.  He takes over the position from David Wilkinson who extended his tenure as provost while the search for a successor was completed. Wilkinson and Farrar will have a chance to work together in October before Wilkinson officially steps down from the role at the end of the month.