May 21, 2008
Dr. Emõke J. Szathmáry, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba since July 1996, will be honoured tonight at a gala farewell dinner in Winnipeg.
“Dr. Szathmáry has provided 12 years of clear vision and strong leadership to the University of Manitoba, using her passion for education to encourage groundbreaking expansion and development,” said Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford. “As the first woman to hold the office of president, she has done an exemplary job and will continue to inspire faculty, administrators and students in the years to come.”
The 10th president of the University of Manitoba, Szathmáry will officially retire at the end of June.
During her tenure, Szathmáry was instrumental in building the university’s excellent reputation at the national and international levels. She also oversaw major capital initiatives and led the creation of Smartpark, a high-tech research and development centre that is now in its third phase of construction.
A career highlight and an outstanding example of her leadership was the Building on Strengths Capital Campaign, launched in November 2001 and completed in March 2004, said McGifford. The campaign raised over $237.8 million and led to numerous building projects throughout the university. The recently-announced Project Domino capital campaign will mean significant redevelopment at the historic Fort Garry Campus while preserving many original buildings.
“Whether Dr. Szathmáry was encouraging international students to study in Manitoba, conducting research or building partnerships with universities around the globe, she worked with drive, determination and commitment,” McGifford said. “The University of Manitoba benefited greatly from her leadership and the province has appreciated her role as a respected ambassador for our post-secondary education system.”