Belleville, ON, Oct. 6, 2023 – This week, Loyalist celebrated the official installation of Mark Kirkpatrick as the college’s sixth President and CEO. Loyalist College students, employees and community members gathered at the Belleville campus to mark the historic occasion and share their congratulations with President Kirkpatrick.
The event began with the Haundenosaunee opening address, the Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen, delivered by Director of Indigenous Services Tewathahá:kwa Jennifer Maracle, followed by drumming by Rod Nettagog of Henley Inlet First Nation.
Jennifer May-Anderson, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors, delivered introductory remarks, speaking to President Kirkpatrick’s years of outstanding service at Loyalist.
“Over the last 18 years, Mark has led transformational change at Loyalist College,” says Board Chair May-Anderson. “He is recognized as an approachable, consultative, and visionary leader with an unmatched ability to translate strategy and ideas into execution. He remains attuned to the needs of students, employees and partners, and he has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to program innovation and renewal.”
President Kirkpatrick assumed the role of President and CEO in March 2023 following an extensive and nationwide search. Kirkpatrick first joined Loyalist in 2005 as Director of Information Technology. Later, as Senior Director, Infrastructure, he reimagined Loyalist’s indoor and outdoor spaces to align with the college’s institutional values. In 2020, Mark was appointed Senior Vice-President Corporate Services and CFO. His vision and leadership helped steer Loyalist through the pandemic, working tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of Loyalist’s students, faculty, and staff and ensuring that the institution avoided any deficits or employee lay-offs. Since assuming the role of President in March 2023, he has prioritized continuing to strengthen Loyalist’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Guests at the installation ceremony enjoyed video messages from Minister of Colleges and Universities, Hon. Jill Dunlop, and Past President of Loyalist College, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, who shared words of wisdom, gratitude, and congratulations.
Student Government President Raven Chartrand delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting warmly on her experiences working alongside President Kirkpatrick to foster a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for all students.
“President Kirkpatrick leads by example and actively demonstrates Loyalist’s core values in everything he does,” says Chartrand. “He creates space for students to share their voices, whether inviting us to sit on committees and interviews or making time for spontaneous conversations in the hallways. From speaking at the Pride flag-raising ceremony to dancing at the Holi festival, President Kirkpatrick strives to make every student and employee feel welcome at Loyalist, no matter who they are or how far they travelled to get here.”
President and CEO of Colleges Ontario Marketa Evans congratulated President Kirkpatrick on his success and spoke to Loyalist’s positive impact on its regional community.
Past Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, Pam Jolliffe, administered the Oath of Office. Tracy Mackenzie, President of OPSEU Local 420, and Tim Prewer, President of OPSEU Local 421 joined the proceedings for President Kirkpatrick’s official gowning.
President Kirkpatrick also received a beaded medallion presented by Tewathahá:kwa Jennifer Maracle. The medallion recognizes President Kirkpatrick for his actions as a settler ally, and for his continued commitment to positioning Loyalist as a leader in advancing the Calls to Action from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The event concluded with a moving speech from President Kirkpatrick, who spoke about the evolution of Loyalist College, and the bright, impactful future the institution is boldly pursuing.
“I am so proud to lead this institution,” says President Kirkpatrick. “As we continue to work toward a more sustainable, collaborative, inclusive and innovative future, our focus on student success will remain central to everything we do. We are proud to be a student-centred and community-based post-secondary institution. Our caring staff and faculty know that small gestures are powerful enough to make a big difference. We believe in the power of education to transform the lives of individuals and communities.”
About Loyalist College
Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.
– 30 –
Contact:
Hannah Brown
Acting Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com