2005-2006
News Release
REF NO.: 305
SUBJECT: Memorial University names new Dean of Arts
DATE: May 30, 2006
(St. John’s) Memorial University has chosen a new Dean of Arts. Dr. Reeta Tremblay, currently a political science professor at Concordia University in Montreal, has been chosen to lead the faculty at Memorial which has the largest complement of students enrolled. Her appointment is effective August 15.
Dr. Tremblay was born and raised in India. After completing her earlier education at the University of Kashmir and Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, she left for the United States, where she completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Chicago. She subsequently moved to Montreal with her family and began her career with Concordia in 1981.
Her research has dealt with identity-based politics, public policy and popular culture, and she is considered a leading authority in North America on the secessionist movement of Kashmir and on Indian federalism. She is also an outstanding teacher, and in 2003 received Concordia’s Alumni Teaching Award.
From 1998-2005, Dr. Tremblay chaired Concordia’s Political Science Department. During her leadership, the curriculum was completely overhauled, new modes of delivery put in place and a Ph.D. program was implemented. These changes resulted in significant growth: the number of students studying political science almost doubled, and 22 new full-time faculty members were appointed. The rejuvenated department at Concordia is now a political science leader in Canada.
“Under Dr. Tremblay’s leadership, the Political Science Department at Concordia has flourished, and she has gained a reputation as an energetic and passionate leader, a strategic thinker and someone with strong interpersonal skills,” said Dr. Eddy Campbell, Memorial’s vice-president (academic) who led the search for the new dean.
“Dr. Tremblay is an ideal choice to lead one of Memorial’s largest faculties at a time when the university is focused on faculty renewal, graduate studies, internationalization and a commitment to excellence in both teaching and scholarship.”
Memorial University is Atlantic Canada’s premiere comprehensive university, and one of the region’s most important research and teaching facilities. Attended by more than 18,000 students, the university employs 950 full-time faculty – 175 of whom are in the Faculty of Arts – and more than 3,000 people who work as staff and sessional instructors. About 4,000 students are registered annually in courses within the Faculty of Arts, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the social sciences and the humanities.
Dr. Tremblay says she was strongly attracted to Memorial. “It is one of Canada’s leading universities, with a strong commitment to excellence that is much more than just words. During my visit, I was impressed by the dynamic, vibrant and forward-looking Memorial community, and I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to become an integral part of it.”
In August, Dr. Tremblay will take the reins from interim dean Dr. Steve Wolinetz, also a professor of political science. The Faculty’s former dean, Dr. David Graham, left Memorial last year to become, ironically, Concordia’s Dean of Arts and Science.
REF NO.: 305
SUBJECT: Memorial University names new Dean of Arts
DATE: May 30, 2006
(St. John’s) Memorial University has chosen a new Dean of Arts. Dr. Reeta Tremblay, currently a political science professor at Concordia University in Montreal, has been chosen to lead the faculty at Memorial which has the largest complement of students enrolled. Her appointment is effective August 15.
Dr. Tremblay was born and raised in India. After completing her earlier education at the University of Kashmir and Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, she left for the United States, where she completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Chicago. She subsequently moved to Montreal with her family and began her career with Concordia in 1981.
Her research has dealt with identity-based politics, public policy and popular culture, and she is considered a leading authority in North America on the secessionist movement of Kashmir and on Indian federalism. She is also an outstanding teacher, and in 2003 received Concordia’s Alumni Teaching Award.
From 1998-2005, Dr. Tremblay chaired Concordia’s Political Science Department. During her leadership, the curriculum was completely overhauled, new modes of delivery put in place and a Ph.D. program was implemented. These changes resulted in significant growth: the number of students studying political science almost doubled, and 22 new full-time faculty members were appointed. The rejuvenated department at Concordia is now a political science leader in Canada.
“Under Dr. Tremblay’s leadership, the Political Science Department at Concordia has flourished, and she has gained a reputation as an energetic and passionate leader, a strategic thinker and someone with strong interpersonal skills,” said Dr. Eddy Campbell, Memorial’s vice-president (academic) who led the search for the new dean.
“Dr. Tremblay is an ideal choice to lead one of Memorial’s largest faculties at a time when the university is focused on faculty renewal, graduate studies, internationalization and a commitment to excellence in both teaching and scholarship.”
Memorial University is Atlantic Canada’s premiere comprehensive university, and one of the region’s most important research and teaching facilities. Attended by more than 18,000 students, the university employs 950 full-time faculty – 175 of whom are in the Faculty of Arts – and more than 3,000 people who work as staff and sessional instructors. About 4,000 students are registered annually in courses within the Faculty of Arts, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the social sciences and the humanities.
Dr. Tremblay says she was strongly attracted to Memorial. “It is one of Canada’s leading universities, with a strong commitment to excellence that is much more than just words. During my visit, I was impressed by the dynamic, vibrant and forward-looking Memorial community, and I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to become an integral part of it.”
In August, Dr. Tremblay will take the reins from interim dean Dr. Steve Wolinetz, also a professor of political science. The Faculty’s former dean, Dr. David Graham, left Memorial last year to become, ironically, Concordia’s Dean of Arts and Science.
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