Today, the Joint Senate/Board Electoral Board for Chancellor released the following statement announcing Western’s 22nd Chancellor.
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Dear Colleagues,
The Joint Senate/Board Electoral Board for Chancellor is pleased to announce that alumnus Jack Cowin has accepted our invitation to become the 22nd Chancellor of Western University.
Mr. Cowin, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Competitive Foods Australia Ltd., earned a BA from Faculty of Social Science (psychology) in 1964, received an honorary degree in 2000 and has remained a close friend and supporter of the university for more than 50 years.
His leadership, experience and commitment to postsecondary education will be a true asset as Western strives to achieve excellence in Canada and on the world stage.
The first in his family to attend university, Mr. Cowin’s student experience at Western was deeply influential in making him the successful international figure that he has become. As a student, he was a member of Western’s football and wrestling teams. Living in Medway Hall, he got to know international students who piqued his interest and curiosity in other parts of the world. Altogether, these experiences prepared him well to recognize new opportunities and to approach his career with an international perspective.
He has served as both a donor and a mentor through the Jack Cowin Award for students who demonstrate athletic and academic excellence. He and his wife, Sharon, BA’64, have also generously created the Jack Cowin/Lone Star Coaching Excellence Fund designed to support Western’s efforts to retain and recruit top-level head or assistant coaches for its varsity teams. They have also supported the establishment of the Jack and Sharon Cowin Scholars Award, a partnership between Bond University and Western that encourages student mobility and academic exchange opportunities between the two universities.
Mr. Cowin has contributed his efforts to numerous leadership projects and has provided unparalleled support with multiple global initiatives, including acting as Chairman of Western’s International Advisory Board. In addition to receiving an honorary degree in 2000, Western’s Alumni Association recognized him with the Professional Achievement Award in 2001.
More information about Mr. Cowin is available at uwo.ca/chancellor.
As Chancellor, Mr. Cowin will succeed renowned Canadian businessman and philanthropist Joseph L. Rotman, who passed away earlier this year.
There will an opportunity to welcome Mr. Cowin into his new role, as we celebrate his installation as Chancellor at convocation in October.
Sincerely,
The Joint Senate/Board Electoral Board for Chancellor