by Kathleen Bain
Communications Director

Bonnie Patterson

Bonnie Patterson, current president of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), starts as Trent's sixth president and vice-chancellor July 1.

        "I feel quite privileged to have the opportunity to lead such a fine institution into the millennium and look forward to advancing Trent's contributions to the communities it serves," said Patterson, 44. She will serve a six-year term.

        The Board of Governors approved the appointment Dec. 22, on the recommendation of a presidential search committee composed of university community members.

        Board chair Jalynn Bennett referred to the appointment as "exciting" and one that promises Trent a bright future.

         "Professor Patterson has great admiration for Trent, its values, strengths and potential. She will bring outstanding connections with government, the private sector and other universities, and strong and proven administrative competency," said Bennett.

        Patterson succeeds Leonard Conolly who stepped down last June 30. Former Queen's University principal David Smith continues to serve as Trent's interim president until Patterson arrives. She will be participating before July 1 in the selection of vice-presidents academic and administration and dean of arts and science.

        Prior to her 1995 appointment as COU president, Patterson served as dean of the faculty of business at Ryerson Polytechnic University from 1990 to1995. The business faculty encompassed three undergraduate professional schools and four research and education centres. As chair of Ryerson's school of administration and information management from 1983 to 1988, she developed and implemented a strategy to position the program as a leader in its field in the country. Prior to becoming chair, she developed and taught courses in management, information systems and technology, and systems analysis and design at Ryerson. She was on faculty at the University of Western Ontario from 1975 to 1980.

        Patterson has been a frequent speaker on strategic planning for technological change, integration of technology in curriculum, and organizational culture and change. The first woman to be appointed a dean of business in Ontario and COU president, she is a strong supporter of the advancement of women in management and leadership positions. She will be Trent's first female president.

        "I feel honored to assume the presidency at Trent. It is clearly a university of significance that has dared to be different. Having visited the campus as president of council, it is clear that Trent is a warm and friendly environment for students with committed and accomplished faculty and staff."

        "Universities play a critical role in the cultural, social and economic wellness of society and, in this regard, Trent is no exception. It offers an outstanding set of educational programs and excels in its research niche. Together we need to ensure that excellence permeates everything we do going forward. While these are particularly challenging times for publicly funded universities, I believe our collective efforts, energy and shared values will see us through the difficult decisions we will need to make."

        Patterson was educated at Western. She earned a BA with a concentration in administrative studies and an honors-degree equivalency year in political and information sciences. She has a master of library science with a concentration in information science.