Dr. Heather Duncan obtained her Masters of Education at BU and PhD in Education Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Currently, Dr. Duncan is Associate Professor and Educational Leadership Program Coordinator at the University of Wyoming. She is also editor of the “Rural Educator” journal.

BU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Poff says, “Heather’s experience with rural leadership and emerging educational development, coupled with her familiarity of Brandon University and the surrounding community, will be invaluable in shaping our education programming.”

Dr. Duncan has teaching and leadership experience in Manitoba, the US and Scotland at the grade school and university levels, and awards including the Governor General of Canada Gold Medal, Brandon University Gold Medal, and University of Wyoming Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award.

“Education is my passion,” says Dr. Duncan, “and I welcome this opportunity to help take BU’s strong undergraduate and Master of Education programming to the next level.”

Dr. Duncan begins a five-year term as Dean, Faculty of Education, on July 1^st, 2013.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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The annual Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) conference drew approximately six dozen participants from universities, colleges and technical institutes across Canada. BU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah Poff says the gathering featured exceptional content.

“I have attended SWAAC conferences since the first in 1987,” says Dr. Poff, “and the speakers and panel discussions in Brandon have been among the strongest ever.”

Keynote speaker Amanda Lindhout detailed her horrific capture and 15-month long confinement in war-town Somalia. Lindhout was a freelance journalist when kidnapped for ransom in August 2008. Upon her release, Lindhout established the Global Enhancement Foundation, a charity which has raised millions of dollars for programming primarily for women in Africa.

Other speakers included Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Karen DeYoung, ethics writer Dr. Joanne Ciulla and Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, President of Mount Saint Vincent University.

SWAAC provides a forum and a collective voice for women in senior administrative ranks in Canada’s academic institutions.  Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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The Henry Champ Gymnasium, first opened in 1965, has been home to four Canadian university national championship teams. The gym has undergone a year-long refurbishing as part of BU’s Healthy Living Centre development. Updates include a refinished hardwood floor, all new paint including the classic Brandon University Bobcats logo on a feature wall, a refurbished stage and mezzanine featuring configurable space for meetings or sports plus a new judge’s booth overlooking the gym.

Henry Champ was BU Chancellor 2008-2012, a lifelong sports enthusiast and dedicated BU Bobcats fan.

“During his student days at Brandon University, Henry was a remarkable athlete and passionate supporter,” says BU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Deborah Poff. “He stayed connected to BU sports through his entire life and recruited top athletes to campus. Our University is a better place because of Henry Champ’s dedication and commitment.”

A native of Hartney, MB, Henry attended BU in 1957 and 1958. He would travel the world through the next five decades; one of the world’s top foreign correspondents reporting from places including El Salvador, Nicaragua, Chile, the Middle East, Vietnam and Washington, DC.

The dedication ceremony is open to all and starts at 3:00 pm in the Henry Champ Gymnasium, Healthy Living Centre, 2010 Louis Avenue, Brandon MB.

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Robertson is one of the most trusted faces in TV news, spending 35 years as Chief Anchor and Senior Editor of the country’s most-watched national newscast, CTV National News. A broadcaster since 1952, Robertson is a three-time Gemini award winner, and member of both the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.

“Lloyd’s efforts as a journalist and communicator have made Canada a better place,” says BU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah Poff. “We applaud his career, his contributions and his national pride.”

In addition to television work, Robertson was honourary chairperson of the Terry Fox Run. In 2006, he received an honourary degree from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.

Robertson will receive his BU degree next month, along with 600 BU graduating students.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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Dr. Poff is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Academic Ethics; and Editor of the Journal of Business Ethics, ranked as an “A” journal by the Financial Times and Bloomberg. Active on numerous boards and expert committees dealing with business and applied ethics, Dr. Poff chaired a federal government advisory committee in 2010-2011 which developed the research integrity framework for universities and research hospitals that undertake research with federal funding.

“I am delighted and surprised to have been selected to the COPE council by our 7000 voting members,” says Dr. Poff. “The mandate of COPE is important to me and I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate directly in the operations.”

COPE provides advice to editors and publishers on all aspects of publication ethics and, in particular, how to handle cases of research and publication misconduct. The Committee was established in 1997 by a small group of medical journal editors in the United Kingdom (UK) but has grown to an international organization, including several major publishers.

As a council member, Dr. Poff will attend four meetings per year in the UK and one in North America.

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Figures released today by BU’s Admissions Department show that 636 persons have applied to attend the University as new students beginning this fall. That compares to 528 in February 2012, 619 in 2011 and 567 in 2010. BU’s overall annual enrollment exceeds 3,000.

“This year to date, we have seen a substantial increase in student applications,” says Murray Kerr, Director of Admissions. “This number includes international and domestic, graduate, undergrad and EAP students – anyone considering BU.”

BU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah Poff says the numbers show a strong commitment to higher education and, in particular, Brandon University. “Students, parents and alumni recognize that we offer a quality of education unavailable at other institutions. We are proud of that and welcome each student who chooses BU.”

Students wishing to be considered for BU’s substantial scholarship program must apply by March 1^st. Over the past year, the University has awarded more than $1.4-million dollars in scholarships.

Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, creation and scholarship; educating students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.

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Dr. Egan holds a Ph.D. in Forest Science from The Pennsylvania State University and is currently the Executive Director of the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute at New Mexico Highlands University.  Dr. Egan previously served as Dean of the School of Forestry and Natural Resources at Paul Smith’s College in New York and as a Professor and Canada Industrial Chair designee at Université Laval in Québec.  He is the recipient of several awards for teaching and research excellence, including a Senior Fulbright Scholarship (2004).  Dr. Egan has led the development of a number of new academic programs and has published over 100 papers and book chapters.

“I am very excited to be joining the Brandon University community and honoured to have been chosen to be the next Dean of its Faculty of Science.  Important to me is BU’s diverse student population and commitment to student-centered, liberal education, forming the foundation for the development of broadly educated professionals, citizens, and leaders.  I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students of the Faculty of Science, as well as across faculties and with the broader Brandon and Manitoba communities.”

As a member of the senior leadership team, Dr. Egan will oversee the Faculty of Science which is comprised of eight departments and serves more than 600 undergraduate students.  He will contribute to the development, implementation and promotion of institutional goals including academic programming and research advancement.

Dr. Egan will begin at BU on June 1, 2013.

BU President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah Poff says, “I am pleased that Dr. Egan will be joining us as the new Dean of the Faculty of Science.  He brings experience from a number of different universities and is committed to teaching and research excellence.  We look forward to welcoming him to Brandon University.”

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For more information, please contact:

Glen Kirby, Communications Officer
Brandon University
270-18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
T: (204) 727-9762
kirbyg@brandonu.ca