King’s University College has announced the appointment of David Sylvester as its new principal, effective July 2009. Sylvester will replace the retiring Gerry Killan, who has served as King’s principal for 11 years.
Sylvester, who was born in British Columbia, is president of Corpus Christi College and principal pro tem and vice-chancellor of St. Mark’s Theological College affiliated with the University of British Columbia.
David Sylvester
He is vice-chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities of Canada (ACCUC) and a founder of the consortium of Theological Colleges. A historian, Sylvester received his BA from Niagara University (NY); his MA from Fordham University (NY) and his PhD from Fordham University (NY).
“Dr. Sylvester’s devotion to quality Catholic higher education, his commitment to an inclusive academic culture, his belief in social justice and his collaborative and diplomatic style all contribute to making him the ideal leader and the best fit for King’s,” says Henry Thuss, chair of the board.
The board of directors is confident David Sylvester will retain and expand King’s growing reputation as a pre-eminent Canadian Catholic college and one of the best undergraduate liberal arts institutions of higher learning in the country.
“In my opinion, King’s has emerged as the flagship of Catholic higher education in the country and I am very excited about contributing to its continuing development,” says Sylvester.
“I know that King’s is a community of excellence that puts students first while involving all of its people in fulfilling its mission – a commitment to the ongoing creation of a vital academic community animated by a Christian love of learning and the pursuit of truth.”
In joining King’s, Sylvester adds he looks forward to fostering its environment, which is based on open inquiry, Christian values and service to the larger community.