Michael Meighen named 19th Chancellor of McGill

One of the most prestigious universities in Canada has approved the nomination of the Honourable Michael Meighen as its next chancellor.

According to a press release, McGill University’s board of governors approved the nomination of Meighen as the 19^th Chancellor. Meighen has been appointed for a three-year term, beginning July 1, 2014.

After earning his BA from McGill in 1960, then his LL.L. cum laude from Université Laval in 1963, Michael Meighen followed the paths of his father, Ted, and grandfather, Canadian Prime Minister Arthur Meighen, and began his law career. Meighen has since distinguished himself not just as a lawyer, but in two other areas that have been the hallmark of his family for generations: politics and philanthropy.

As a lawyer, Michael Meighen has been a prominent member of the bar in both Ontario and Quebec and served as co-counsel to the Deschênes Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals in Canada from 1985 to 1987. As a politician, he spent 21 years in the Senate of Canada before retiring in 2012.

As a philanthropist, he has shown a deep commitment to the transformative powers of education and research. Together with his wife Kelly, as well as through the T.R. Meighen Family Foundation, he has supported organizations including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Child Development Institute, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and McGill University.

Mr. Meighen has also shown his dedication to McGill’s mission through his leadership. Over the past 20 years, he has served as a Member-at-Large of the Board of Governors, and as Chair of the Fund Council. He also co-chaired Campaign McGill, which set a University record by raising more than $1 billion to support students, faculty and researchers.

“Michael is not only among McGill’s most accomplished alumni, but his dedication to the University is remarkable,” says Stuart (Kip) Cobbett, Chair of McGill’s Board of Governors.  “Time and again, he has proven himself an important figure at University events. Whether talking to alumni, parents or students, his warmth and engaging personality immediately put people at ease.”