UPDATE: Alan Shepard responds to reports that he might be Ryerson’s next president.
Read the statement below:
“I am very happy in my work as president of Concordia. And I also loved my work some years ago as the provost of Ryerson. The two institutions have a lot in common–urban, engaged, with a lot of momentum.
I wish Ryerson well, naturally, but I am not the next president of Ryerson. I am committed to Concordia, and my family and I have been warmly welcomed by Concordia and Montreal.
Concordia is in the midst of numerous plans that will continue to strengthen its research and teaching environments and I am looking forward to these achievements.”
“I absolutely can confirm that Dr. Shepard is not on the short list and that he, as you can see in the statement is absolutely staying at Concordia,” said Christine Mota, Concordia’s media relations director.
The original story below:
Campus is abuzz with one name for Ryerson’s next president: Alan Shepard.
Confidential sources tell The Ryersonian that the shortlist for Sheldon Levy’s successor is down to two names, and the only name they have been hearing since Wednesday is Alan Shepard, Concordia University‘s current president.
Sources close to the Board of Governors and the selection committee tell The Ryersonian that the official confirmation and announcement will be made this week.
Shepard was the provost and vice-president academic of Ryerson until 2012, when he was named president of Concordia University in Montreal. Shepard first joined Ryerson in 2007, and his former position is currently filled by Mohamed Lachemi.
“There will be an update on the presidential search in the next few days,” said Michael Forbes, manager of media relations at Ryerson.
While at Ryerson, Shepard helped lead development on the Digital Media Zone and its Urban Energy Centre. Ryerson’s annual award for diversity, the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, carries his name.
On Wednesday, The Ryersonian reported that the selection committee would be making its announcement within the week, and the shortlist was down to five names. The committee was also reportedly looking for someone that was more of a “Sheldon Levy-type.”
In January of 2014, Ryerson’s senate began appointing members to the replacement committee, including Lachemi.
The selection committee is made up of members of the Board of Governors, the Senate, faculty, and at least one student representative.
Sheldon Levy announced at the end of 2013 that he would not be seeking a third term as Ryerson president.
Levy was named president of the university in 2005. He’s been referred to as a “city-builder” for his work in expanding Ryerson within the downtown core.
He oversaw the development and opening of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) on Yonge Street and the Digital Media Zone.
However, Levy’s tenure as president has also known controversy. He was accused of disrespecting Toronto’s history when the school declined to display the Sam the Record Man sign on the SLC.
Shepard’s office at Concordia said he is out of the office until next week and is unavailable to comment.
Levy’s successor will take office in August.
The Ryersonian will bring you up to date confirmation of this information.
With files from Danni Gresko, Colleen Marasigan, Daniel Rosen, Nitish Bissonauth and Sean Wetselaar.
This is a joint byline.
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