New Nipissing University president offers a message of hope

Nipissing University's new president is reaching out with a message of hope. 

Dr. Kevin Wamsley, who was the Academic Vice-President & Provost of St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, began his five-year term at Nipissing on August 1 replacing outgoing president Mike DeGagne.  

See related: New president wants to help enhance Nipissing's reputation

See related: Nipissing University unveils 'fully vaccinated' on campus policy 

"The Fall Term is around the corner and we are hopeful that we may cautiously steer our way through the limitations placed upon us by the pandemic and see a gradual return to classroom and campus activities," said Dr. Wamsley via social media.  

"I hope that you have had the time to rest, following a very challenging year." 

Last week, Nipissing University followed the lead of many other Ontario universities by releasing its COVID-19 vaccination policy for the fall semester which requires all students, faculty, staff, and other individuals coming to campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

However, Wamsley did touch on how much the Nipissing Campus has impressed him. 

"I have just arrived in North Bay and have had the pleasure of touring the beautiful Nipissing grounds and buildings - my first time on campus," he stated.  

"I am so impressed by the facilities here and the incredible setting. And I have had the pleasure of meeting some students, faculty members, staff, alumni, and Board members. 

"It is an honour to be the 7th President and Vice-Chancellor of NU and I will be doing my best to meet all of you as soon as possible. I am very interested in everyone's impressions of Nipissing University, its strengths and areas for improvement, its aspirations. I trust that collecting and collating this information in the coming months will help to set a foundation for the Strategic Planning process that we will begin in the Spring of 2022.

"It is my hope that we will work together to make Nipissing University one of Canada's best primarily undergraduate institutions, with select graduate programs - a university of high academic quality which values and promotes social responsibility, plays a central role in Ontario's northern region, and is financially sustainable for the foreseeable future."