Chancellor
Under the University of Guelph Act (1964) the Senate is responsible for the election of the Chancellor. The Chancellor, subject to the will of the Senate, holds office for a renewable three-year term.
The Chancellor is the titular head of the University, and confers all degrees. The Chancellor is an ex-officio voting member of the Senate and the Board of Governors.
The office of Chancellor is currently vacant. In keeping with the University of Guelph Act, the President & Vice-Chancellor will fulfill the ceremonial duties of the Chancellor for the duration of the vacancy.
Information about plans to begin the search for a new Chancellor is forthcoming. The process will be overseen by U of G’s Senate.
Past Chancellors
George Drew – 1965 - 1971
Former mayor of Guelph, premier of Ontario and Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Emmett Hall – 1971 - 1977
Former Chief Justice of Saskatchewan and justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Pauline McGibbon – 1977 - 1983
Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
William Stewart – 1983 - 1989
Former Ontario Minister of Agriculture
Edmund Bovey – 1989 - 1990
Business and arts leader
Lincoln Alexander – 1991 - 2007
Former federal Minister of Labour and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Pamela Wallin – 2007 - 2011
Senator, former Consul General of Canada in New York and former television journalist
David Mirvish – 2011 - 2017
Real estate developer, theatre producer and art collector
Martha Billes – 2017 - 2020
Business leader, founder of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Office of the Chancellor, please e-mail: univsec@uoguelph.ca