Thank you to a phenomenal team of individuals who organized such an impactful and meaningful installation in the midst of a pandemic, as I was officially installed on November 6 as MacEwan University’s sixth president and vice-chancellor.

Planning an installation during a pandemic is no easy task, and I was absolutely wowed by the innovation and creativity of our faculty, students and staff as they joined together to create a seamless virtual event to warmly welcome me to MacEwan. I know that much thought, coordination and detailed planning goes into an event of this calibre, and I am extremely appreciative to be surrounded by a team with the skill, passion and vision to design and manage such an event.

I was honored to receive special blessings, thoughtful remarks from colleagues and family, and well-wishes from all levels of government and community partners. I was touched by the Indigenous invocation including blessings from Elder Maria Campbell and from MacEwan’s Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Roxanne Tootoosis.

Special thanks for the beautiful musical performances by MacEwan Big Band directed by Ray Baril, to Dean Allan Gilliland for his composition and arrangement of the musical pieces and to associate professors Chandelle Rimmer and Tom Van Seters for their performance of Over the Rainbow.  My thanks also go out to our students behind the scenes who mastered the audio, supported the theatre and event production as well as served as student ambassadors for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

I proudly accepted the Oath of Office from Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. Carolyn Graham, Chair, Grant MacEwan University Board of Governors graciously presided over the ceremony and offered the invocation. Thank you also to Dr. Craig Monk, provost and vice-president, academic who served as master of ceremonies and to Dr. David McLaughlin, associate vice-president, planning & analysis and university registrar, who served as mace bearer. Thank you to Dr. Rafat Alam, Donna Mae-Winquist and Sean Waddingham who sent messages on behalf of our Faculty, Staff and Students’ Associations.

On our installation web page, you can read more about the ceremony, see photos and watch the performances and speeches. I also share the transcript of my installation address which serves as a foundation for our work ahead and begins to set the stage for our future as we adapt and shape our plans. As Edmonton’s downtown university, we must be an engine of growth. We must continue to contribute to the economic resiliency of our city and our province – and to the success of our students. This is a time of transformation. There will be opportunities for you to engage in conversations to help shape our future as we relaunch our work on strategic planning.

I am beyond grateful and honoured to have been a part of such a special and meaningful celebration and I am immensely proud of MacEwan University.

Sincerely,

Dr. Annette Trimbee