Former premier Roy Romanow named U of S chancellor

Former Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow, who led an NDP government in the province from 1991 to 2001, has been appointedto the largely ceremonial position of chancellor for the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

"For me, it's kind of returning home," Romanow said Saturday following the announcement, noting he earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the U of S and was, in his days on campus, president of the students council.

"The challenge is to make sure I can do everything I can to assist the president [of the U of S] and the administration," he said.

Romanow was born, raised and educated in Saskatoon. Prior to his time as premier, he was leader of the opposition in the provincial legislature. He was also a cabinet minister in the NDP government of Allan Blakeney.

"All of the opportunities in my life flowed from the time at the U of S," Romanow added. "I never imagined being chancellor, but I will do whatever I can to assist the institution in maintaining and improving its standing as one of the best universities in Canada and beyond."

Romanow, who was elected by the university's senate, willbegin his duties Nov. 1, replacing Blaine Favel.

"This university enjoys a wonderful reputation in Canada and abroad," said Romanow. "Our goal is to enhance the learning and research environment in ways that make our province and our country even better."

As chancellor, Romanowwill preside at university convocation ceremonies and confer degrees.

He will also act as the chair for two bodies that oversee the institution the university senate and board of governors.

"The future for the University of Saskatchewan is really bright," Romanow added. "It has a terrific faculty, a very large and active student body [and] it is nationally recognized as one of our very best universities [in Canada] and internationally increasingly so, too."

Romanow is not the only former premier to be involved in post-secondary education. Lorne Calvert, who followed Romanow as premier from 2001 to 2007, is the principal at St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon.