About 300 people – including friends, colleagues, politicians and community members – gathered last week to say thank you and farewell to McMaster president Patrick Deane, who will be leaving McMaster at the end of June to become principal at Queen’s University.

“When I first came to McMaster, I had no idea what a fabulous experience this was going to turn out to be,” said Deane in a short, heartfelt speech to the gathered crowd. “It’s a remarkable institution, a remarkable extended family, embedded in an extremely interesting, vibrant and growing city. It has a great sense of its mission and future.”

The event featured few formal speakers, the better to allow Deane to chat with his guests, who included Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger, Flamborough-Glanbrook MP David Sweet, former MPP Ted McMeekin, former chancellors Mel Hawkrigg and Lynton “Red” Wilson, and incoming chancellor Santee Smith.

“His influence across the university has been broad, and the results under his leadership have been impressive,” said Roger Couldrey, McMaster’s vice-president, administration, in remarks welcoming people to the gathering. “Patrick, you’ve left us a very strong legacy to build on.”

And if a picture is worth a thousand words, Deane’s official portrait, revealed at his farewell open house on June 7, also spoke volumes.

Rather than creating a traditional institutional portrait of Deane draped in academic regalia, Sealey – working closely with Deane – chose to portray him sitting outside, Faculty Hollow and Cootes Paradise in the background, gazing directly out at the viewer.

“He didn’t want a portrait that made it seem like he was separated from the students,” explained artist and McMaster graduate Christina Sealey. “He’s part of the community, he has a real rapport with students, he’s approachable – and we wanted the portrait to generate the warmth that he has in his personality.

“It looks like you could be sitting next to him.”

For Deane, that connection to McMaster will last long beyond his tenure at the university.

“I want to say thank you to everyone for this opportunity, and for the incredible friendship and support you’ve shown over these years,” said Deane. “It’s not something I will ever forget, and will cherish always.”