In photos: A tribute to Provost Susan Tighe

Susan Tighe speaks into a mic, watched by jerry Hurley, Maureen MacDonald, Bonny Ibhawoh and Vivian Lewis, during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall

Provost Susan Tighe thanks university leaders and community members and talks about what her time as provost means to her, at an event marking the conclusion of her term. On July 1, Tighe will become McMaster’s ninth president and vice-chancellor. All photos by Georgia Kirkos

“What do you want to do about it? How can I help?”

Twelve words back in 2020 were all it took for University Librarian Vivan Lewis to realize that she was going to enjoy working with McMaster’s new provost.

In her first meeting with newly appointed Provost Susan Tighe, after Lewis described grappling with a thorny problem at the height of pandemic lockdowns, Tighe cut to the chase and offered support, all in one.

Lewis shared the story this week at a campus event honouring Tighe’s service as provost. On July 1, Tighe will step into her new role as McMaster’s ninth president and vice-chancellor, succeeding President David Farrar, who will refocus on his academic and research work.

Several other university leaders and community members shared anecdotes and tributes to Tighe at the event. Here are some highlights in photos from the day.

Dina Brooks signs a posterboard during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall

John Kelton signs a posterboard on an easel during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — McMaster leaders and community members shared their good wishes on oversized commemorative poster boards set up at the event. Seen here, Dina Brooks, left, and John Kelton.

Susan Tighe speaks with Betty Julian and Mary Reid in Alumni Memorial Hall — From left: Provost Susan Tighe, Betty Julian and Mary Reid, both from the McMaster Museum of Art.

Susan Tighe and Bhagwati Gupta chat during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Provost Susan Tighe with Professor Bhagwati Gupta

Susan Tighe and Gianni Parise stand together and smile during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Provost Susan Tighe with incoming Vice-President (Research) Gianni Parise.

Jerry Hurley and and Maureen MacDonald chat and laugh during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Acting Provost Jeremiah Hurley and incoming provost Maureen MacDonald.

Susan Denburg and Bonny Ibhawoh chat during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Professor Susan Denburg and Vice-Provost (International) Bonny Ibhawoh.

Dawn Martin-Hill and Khaled Hassanein chat during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Professor Emerita Dawn Martin-Hill and DeGroote School of Business Dean Khaled Hassanein.

Smiling Maureen MacDonald hugs someone in Alumni Memorial Hall — Professor Susan Denburg hugs incoming provost Maureen MacDonald

A group of people face a speaker during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Attendees included deans, other seniors leaders and community members.

Heather Sheardown speaks into a mic during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Dean of Engineering Heather Sheardown paid tribute to Susan Tighe, a fellow engineer, in her remarks.

Saher Fazilat speaks into a mic during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall — Vice-Provost (Operations and Finance) Saher Fazilat shared many an anecdote about Provost Tighe in her remarks.

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<i><span data-contrast="auto">“What do you want to do about it? How can I help?”</span></i><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>

<span data-contrast="auto">Twelve words back in 2020 were all it took for University Librarian Vivan Lewis to realize that she was going to enjoy working with McMaster’s new provost. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span>

<span data-contrast="auto">In her first meeting with newly appointed Provost Susan Tighe, after Lewis described grappling with a thorny problem at the height of pandemic lockdowns, Tighe cut to the chase and offered support, all in one. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span>

<span data-contrast="auto">Lewis shared the story this week at a campus event honouring Tighe’s service as provost. On July 1, Tighe will step into her new role as McMaster’s ninth president and vice-chancellor, succeeding President David Farrar, who will refocus on his academic and research work. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span>

<span data-contrast="auto">Several other university leaders and community members shared anecdotes and tributes to Tighe at the event. Here are some highlights in photos from the day.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span>

<img class="wp-image-120420" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party__DJ35254.jpg" alt="Dina Brooks signs a posterboard during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="978" height="652" />

[caption id="attachment_120426" align="alignnone" width="4200"]<img class="size-full wp-image-120426" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC04878.jpg" alt="John Kelton signs a posterboard on an easel during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="4200" height="2800" /> <span class="TextRun SCXW98965015 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98965015 BCX0">McMaster leaders and community members </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98965015 BCX0">sha</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98965015 BCX0">red</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98965015 BCX0"> their good wishes on oversized commemorative poster boards set up at the event. Seen here, Dina Brooks, left, and John Kelton.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98965015 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}"> </span>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120422" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="wp-image-120422" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party__DJ35393.jpg" alt="Susan Tighe speaks with Betty Julian and Mary Reid in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="980" height="653" /> From left: Provost Susan Tighe, Betty Julian and Mary Reid, both from the McMaster Museum of Art.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120432" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="wp-image-120432" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC05516.jpg" alt="Susan Tighe and Bhagwati Gupta chat during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="980" height="653" /> Provost Susan Tighe with Professor Bhagwati Gupta[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120434" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="wp-image-120434" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC05565.jpg" alt="Susan Tighe and Gianni Parise stand together and smile during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="980" height="653" /> Provost Susan Tighe with incoming Vice-President (Research) Gianni Parise.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120427" align="alignnone" width="3900"]<img class="size-full wp-image-120427" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC05053.jpg" alt="Jerry Hurley and and Maureen MacDonald chat and laugh during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="3900" height="2600" /> Acting Provost Jeremiah Hurley and incoming provost Maureen MacDonald.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120423" align="alignnone" width="978"]<img class="wp-image-120423" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party__DJ35406.jpg" alt="Susan Denburg and Bonny Ibhawoh chat during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="978" height="652" /> Professor Susan Denburg and Vice-Provost (International) Bonny Ibhawoh.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120425" align="alignnone" width="979"]<img class="wp-image-120425" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC04872.jpg" alt="Dawn Martin-Hill and Khaled Hassanein chat during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="979" height="653" /> Professor Emerita Dawn Martin-Hill and DeGroote School of Business Dean Khaled Hassanein.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120424" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="wp-image-120424" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC04852.jpg" alt="Smiling Maureen MacDonald hugs someone in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="980" height="653" /> Professor Susan Denburg hugs incoming provost Maureen MacDonald[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120428" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="wp-image-120428" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC05230.jpg" alt="A group of people face a speaker during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="980" height="653" /> Attendees included deans, other seniors leaders and community members.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120429" align="alignnone" width="3600"]<img class="size-full wp-image-120429" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC05250.jpg" alt="Heather Sheardown speaks into a mic during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="3600" height="2400" /> Dean of Engineering Heather Sheardown paid tribute to Susan Tighe, a fellow engineer, in her remarks.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120430" align="alignnone" width="3828"]<img class="size-full wp-image-120430" src="http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Provost_party_MAC05302.jpg" alt="Saher Fazilat speaks into a mic during a gathering in Alumni Memorial Hall" width="3828" height="2552" /> Vice-Provost (Operations and Finance) Saher Fazilat shared many an anecdote about Provost Tighe in her remarks.[/caption]

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