Left to right: Board Chair Karen Spencer, incoming President Dr. Marc Jerry, and current President Dr. Wendy L. Fletcher stand in Renison's East West Garden.
Renison University College’s Board of Governors is proud to announce the selection of Renison’s 12th president and vice-chancellor, the Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry.
Dr. Jerry comes to Renison with 25 years of post-secondary teaching, research and administrative experience, most recently as president of Luther College, a federated college of the University of Regina. He holds two degrees in economics, specializing in econometrics and quantitative methods, as well as two graduate degrees in theology. In addition to his academic experience, Dr. Jerry has specialized not for profit board governance training through the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds the public sector governance designation through the Johnson Shoyama School of Governance at the University of Regina.
Dr. Jerry was a tenured faculty member in the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University (MRU) in Calgary where he taught economics and business statistics and won their prestigious Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award in 2007. He also held administrative positions at MRU including department chair in the business faculty. Prior to becoming President at Luther, Dr. Jerry worked for the Donald School of Business (DSB) at Red Deer College where he taught economics, leadership, and strategy. He was also co-chair of the team that led the curriculum development of their Bachelor of Business Administration and served on the institution-wide learning outcomes development team. Under the direction of Dr. Jerry, the Work Integrated Learning program was created at the DSB and grew dramatically over a five-year period.
“The Renison Board was most impressed with the quality of candidates and abundance of interest in this important leadership role,” noted Board Chair, Karen Spencer. “We unanimously chose Dr. Jerry as the successor to Dr. Wendy Fletcher; his people-focused approach to leadership and business acumen will serve him well in steering Renison into this next important chapter.
The Board also wishes to enthusiastically thank Dr. Wendy Fletcher for her over ten years of outstanding service! The Board has appreciated Wendy’s commitment to Renison and her steadfast leadership including guiding Renison through the global pandemic and one of the most difficult, complex, and challenging periods in our history. Wendy has led Renison through the development of two strategic plans. She has championed teaching excellence and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and anti-racism. The Renison community flourished under Wendy’s leadership. We are thrilled that after a well-earned sabbatical, Dr. Fletcher will return to her teaching responsibilities at Renison and will oversee the newly created Centre for Spirituality and Wisdom Practices.”
Dr. Jerry will officially assume the position of President, Renison University College on July 1, 2024. Dr. Jerry’s understanding of the nuances of being a federated college president; his vast academic experience and student-centred approach; his adherence to strategic leadership, reflective vision and understanding of board governance; his considered management and administration experience; and his commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, all combine to make him the ideal candidate for this role,” added Spencer.
Dr. Jerry along with his wife Marnie and Daughter Carmen are excited at the prospect of this new opportunity. “I am attracted to this position for many reasons, not least of which because I see how I can continue to grow and expand what is already a successful story. I thank Dr. Fletcher for stewarding Renison with such care, capability and resourcefulness. When I visited campus, I felt first-hand the love that the students and staff feel for Renison - this is home for them. I want to leverage my experience as a researcher, a teacher, a father, an administrator, and a man of faith to ensure that all members of our community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends alike – feel empowered by Renison’s new Strategic Plan and know the important role each of them play in meeting our future goals.”
Watch the Renison website for additional updates as they become available.