It was standing room only on Tuesday afternoon as hundreds of people from the 91ÑÇÉ« community turned out to welcome President-designate Mamdouh Shoukri during a meet-and-greet reception hosted by 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden.
Right: 91ÑÇÉ« President-designate Mamdouh Shoukri addresses the crowd
The event, which took place in the lobby of the Technology Enhanced Learning Building on 91ÑÇÉ«’s Keele campus, offered a warm and friendly venue for the occasion.
Applause greeted the president-designate as he took to the stage escorted by Marsden. A beaming Shoukri surveyed the crowd. "Being selected as the next president of 91ÑÇÉ« is an absolute honour for me," said Shoukri. "I have been attracted to 91ÑÇÉ« for many reasons. However, one of the most important reasons is that I feel very strongly about many of the values that are embodied in the culture of 91ÑÇÉ«.
"I feel very strongly about 91ÑÇÉ«’s commitment to excellence in research and education, its commitment to interdisciplinary research and education, its commitment to accessibility, fairness and social justice," said Shoukri. "These are important values for a progressive university in the 21st century and hence my attraction to 91ÑÇÉ«.
 |
| Above: Fuad Abdi, 91ÑÇÉ« Federation of Students vice-president equity and a student in the Faculty of Health, meets Shoukri |
"I’m also excited because I am coming at a point when the University is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary and I look forward to working with every member of the extended 91ÑÇÉ« community to build on the 50 years of heritage, the incredible work that Dr. Marsden has done for the University and to move forward together to be a model for the most progressive university in the country. Thank you very much for your generosity, I am absolutely overwhelmed."
Following Shoukri’s comments, Marsden addressed the crowd. With a twinkle in her eye, she announced that, "Dr. Shoukri is a jogger...." Marsden then presented her successor with a 91ÑÇÉ« sweatshirt.
Left: There will be no more purple in his life as Shoukri accepts a 91ÑÇÉ« 'red' sweatshirt
"There will be no more purple in his life," she said, referring to the colours of McMaster University in Hamilton.
"It’s red from now on," said Marsden to thunderous applause.