Yesterday it became official, Scott Russell was sworn in as Nipissing University’s chancellor.
For sports fans, Russell requires no introduction, he’s worked for CBC for almost four decades, primarily as a sports broadcaster. He’s covered 17 Olympic games – hosted seven – and was a rink-side reporter for Hockey Night in Canada for 14 years. He’s won a Canadian Screen Award and a Gemini Award and has written three books – two about hockey and one about curling.
And the man loves North Bay and Nipissing University.
That was apparent during his inaugural speech this afternoon. Around 300 people gathered out back of Nipissing University’s Student Centre, enjoying the sun and taking in the changing of the chancellors, as Paul Cook stepped down and Scott Russell stepped in.
“It was pretty emotional,” Russell said of his acceptance ceremony, “because there’s a lot of trust that is placed in you when you assume a position like this.”
Indeed, a university chancellor is appointed by the university’s Board of Governors and serves as an advocate and ambassador for the university and is responsible for conferring degrees on all graduates at convocation.
See: CBC sports broadcaster is new Nipissing University Chancellor
Speaking of Kevin Wamsley, Nipissing University’s president, Russell detailed how “I love his vision for this university,” noting the school is “progressive, and has so much potential.”
Russell lives in Toronto but plans to visit the city and school as often as he can. He loves the area, spending many of his “formative years” in the north, camping and canoeing in and around Temagami, and visiting North Bay on the way.
“So, to be here with my wife today and to see how beautiful this community is, how much potential there is here, and the beauty and the diversity, it’s astounding. And I don’t think enough Canadians know about it and I wish they did.”
As chancellor, he’s going to spread that word. “I’m going to make that one of my missions, to make sure people know about Nipissing University and North Bay, Ontario.”
He admitted, “I can’t be as connected to the community as Paul Cook, he’s been a tremendous community builder over the course of his lifetime, but I can sure get the word out about how wonderful this place is and how welcoming it’s been to me.”
Russell praised the many renowned programs the university offers, including education, nursing, and environmental studies, as well as the strong athletics program. He already has his Lakers gear ready for the wearing, and “I’m really excited about becoming a Laker full time.”
“This is a small but mighty university,” he added. “It can make a huge impact on a number of communities across the country.”
“It is an honour to welcome Dr. Scott Russell as our new chancellor,” said Wamsley. “Scott’s remarkable career as a journalist and author as well as his personal and professional contributions to amateur sport and community-building across Canada, make him an ideal person for this role,” he noted.
“We look forward to the privilege of working with Scott to continue to enhance Nipissing’s national reputation and advance our strategic commitments.”
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
