First female MUN chancellor named

Susan Knight has been named first woman chancellor of MUN.

Premier Kathy Dunderdale announced the appointment today, following the resignation of retired general and national defence staff chief, Rick Hillier, as the sixth chancellor.

 “I am thrilled that an individual whose life demonstrates extraordinary commitment to our province and our youth has accepted this appointment to serve as Chancellor of Memorial University,” said Dunderdale. “I am especially pleased that for the first time in our history, we now have a woman serving as Chancellor. It is so important for young girls and women to see themselves reflected in positions of leadership within our government and institutions. Susan Knight’s accomplishments are many, with Newfoundland and Labrador benefiting enormously from her work in celebrating our heritage and strengthening our province’s choral tradition. I look forward to the contributions of Dr. Knight as Chancellor.”

Knight is founder and artistic director emerita of Shallaway- Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus and Festival 500: Sharing the Voices. She also serves on the boards of Chorus America, the International Federation of Choral Music, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, among many other community activities and roles.

She is active internationally in a variety of capacities related to choral music and music education, including researcher, clinician, and keynote speaker. She is invested in the Orders of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Knight is an alumna of Memorial University, holding bachelor degrees in music and music education from Memorial, in addition to a Masters of Arts in music education from St. Thomas University, Minnesota, and a Ph.D. from the University of London. She has also been honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Memorial.

This story has been changed to fix a typographical error.

 “I have the greatest respect for Memorial University and its extraordinary contribution to our province and to the global community,” said Knight. “I am so proud and honoured to be the next Chancellor of this great university. I very much look forward to serving my alma mater in this new role as it pursues its vision of excellence.”

 Details of a formal installation of the new chancellor will be provided by Memorial University at a later date.

 Dunderdale also acknowledged Hillier’s contributions.

 “General Hillier provided outstanding service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as chancellor of Memorial University,” said Dunderdale. “On behalf of the people of the province, I offer my thanks and appreciation for his tremendous contributions over more than four years of service. I wish him all the best.”

 Hillier’s resignation was effective Aug.31.