Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor, sent the following message to all students, faculty, and staff on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sandra G. Banks as vice-president, University Relations, and Stephen Watt as dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science.
Sandra Banks
Sandra’s appointment is effective April 6, 2015.
Prior to her current role as CEO of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Sandra served as vice-president, public affairs and communications at Coca-Cola Canada. In that capacity, she led the company’s brand communications, stakeholder and media relations, government relations, corporate social responsibility, and internal communications portfolios.
Sandra’s professional experience also reflects her commitment to public service. She previously worked as assistant deputy minister in the food industry division at Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and as press secretary in the Office of the Minister of State for the Canadian Wheat Board from 1984 to 1987.
Let me also take this opportunity to express my thanks to Bob Crow, who has served as interim vice-president of the University Relations portfolio for the past year. With deep roots in our local business community, and as executive-in-residence at the Institute of Quantum Computing, Bob has been well positioned to lend his talent and attention to the University Relations portfolio at a time of great strategic significance for the University. Thank you, Bob, for all your efforts.
Stephen Watt
Stephen’s appointment is effective July 1, 2015.
Joining Waterloo from Western University, Professor Watt’s experience as an administrator is combined with a track record of distinguished scholarship and strong private sector experience.
Stephen earned his PhD in computer science at the University of Waterloo in 1996, and was named distinguished university professor at Western in 2011. He began his career in 1984 as a research staff member at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. His work spans a variety of fields including computer algebra systems, programming languages and compilers, pen-based mathematical computing, mathematical algorithms, and mathematical data communications and knowledge management.
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Sandra and Stephen join our team at a time of immense promise and opportunity for the University of Waterloo. With a well-earned reputation as the most innovative university in Canada and a growing profile on the world stage, Waterloo is in a position of strength. Sandra and Stephen will work with me, our administration colleagues, and their teams in University Relations and the Faculty of Mathematics to build on this excellent momentum.
Please join me in welcoming them to the University of Waterloo.
Sincerely,
Feridun Hamdullahpur
President and Vice-Chancellor