Howard E.
Petch - Victoria
![Click image for full-size version](/web/20061229015157im_/http://www.protocol.gov.bc.ca/protocol/prgs/obc/1990/1990_HEPetch_sm.jpg) This
month, Dr. Howard Petch steps down as President of the University
of Victoria with the distinction of currently being the longest-serving
President of a Canadian university. This milestone is evidence of
the respect he has earned from his peers at the university as well
as his ability as an administrator.
Under his leadership,
the university embarked on an unparalleled program of development
and scholarship which has made UVIC one of Canada's outstanding
universities. Dr. Petch also played a key role in promoting access,
providing leadership in science and engineering, and in fostering
harmonious relationships among the Province's universities.
Dr. Petch received
his education in Ontario and in British Columbia, and was a Rutherford
Memorial Fellow at Cambridge University. He enjoyed a distinguished
academic career as a solid state physicist at McMaster University
and the University of Waterloo and rose to President (pro tem) at
the University of Waterloo before coming to Victoria in 1975.
Dr. Petch's
list of honours includes membership as a Fellow in the Royal Society
of Canada, the Centennial Medal, 1967, and honorary doctorates from
the universities of Waterloo and McMaster. He is a member of a host
of national science committees and other university related bodies
and he has served on a number of Task Forces for governments, federal
and provincial.
His interests
are not limited to academe but include membership on a number of
civic bodies including the British Columbia Arts Board, the Arts,
Science and Technology Centre and as honorary President, the Post
Polio Awareness and Support Society.
An ardent birdwatcher,
Dr. Petch will no doubt continue to have a keen eye for the Martlet
even after his departure from UVIC.
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