[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/weingartenof.jpg” caption=”Harvey Weingarten”]McMaster's provost is heading West this summer to lead the University of Calgary.

Harvey Weingarten's appointment as president of the Alberta institution was announced today in Calgary by the U of C board of governors. Weingarten takes up his official duties on Sept. 1. He is the university's seventh president.

The news was conveyed to the McMaster community in an e-mail late this afternoon from University President Peter George. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Harvey, a wonderful choice by the University of Calgary and a loss for all of us at McMaster,” said George, remarking that the University has benefited enormously from Weingarten's leadership, his scholarship and his deep commitment to post-secondary education. “I am delighted that he will be the next president at the University of Calgary and I look forward to working with him on many of the issues and challenges that are common to all universities in this country.”

“I am delighted at the board's decision to appoint Harvey Weingarten,” said Ted Newall, chair of the U of C board. “He brings to the U of C a sound academic background, an outstanding research record, and a wealth of experience in university leadership.”

Weingarten's selection followed a five-month national search to fill the position, which becomes vacant on July 31 when president Terry White steps down.

Weingarten is concluding a five-year term at McMaster as University provost and vice-president academic. He joined McMaster in 1979, becoming chair of the Department of Psychology in 1989. He served as dean of science for a year before being named provost in 1996.

One of the youngest major research universities in Canada (it was established in 1966 as a degree-granting institution), the University of Calgary has over 24,000 students. The University recently undertook a review of its 81 undergraduate programs with an eye to including an interdisciplinary component, an international dimension and a work experience in every program. The revised curriculum will be introduced this fall.