For Lynton (Red) Wilson, serving as McMaster's Chancellor means more than simply shaking the hands of graduands each year.

The title carries with it a great deal of responsibility – from the conferring of degrees upon thousands of students each year to acting as a global ambassador for the University – but Wilson says that he considers it a privilege to serve in the role.

“It's an absolute honour to serve the University in this capacity,” said Wilson, who has been reappointed to the position for another three-year term beginning September 1, 2010. “It's great to play such an important role for McMaster. I'm proud to represent the University wherever I go.”

A McMaster graduate himself, Wilson has been involved with and has supported the University for many years. He has been a benefactor of student scholarships, has supported an endowed chair in data communications in the Faculty of Engineering and in 2004 donated $1 million to establish the L.R. Wilson Professor in Canadian History in the Faculty of Humanities. In 2007 Wilson gave a $10 million gift to the University in support of liberal arts. He has also served as chair of the Changing Tomorrow Today campaign and was a member of the Campaign Cabinet Executive Committee for The Campaign for McMaster University.

Wilson's career spans both the public service and the private sector, including appointments as Ontario Deputy Minister of Industry and Tourism; president, CEO and chairman of Redpath Industries Ltd; president, CEO and chairman of BCE Inc., and chairman of the board of Nortel Networks Corporation. He is also co-founder of Historica, an initiative created to help Canadians understand the depth, breadth and impact of their national history.