What's New

Director named for new School of Environmental Sciences

August 14, 2009

Professor Jonathan Newman, former chair of the department of Environmental Biology, has been appointed to the role of Director of OAC’s new School of Environmental Sciences (SES), recently established through the merger of the departments of Land Resource Science and Environmental Biology.  The appointment, effective immediately, is for a five-year term.

The announcement was made by OAC dean Rob Gordon, who chaired the search committee.

“Jonathan is an outstanding leader who will be instrumental in the development of an inclusive vision for the diverse interdisciplinary group encompassed by the new School,” said Gordon.  “He will stimulate innovation in research and curriculum development, facilitating the advancement of SES at both the national and international levels.”  

In making the announcement, Gordon expressed gratitude to Prof. Beverley Hale for her tremendous support over the past year in the role of acting chair for the department of Land Resource Science.

He also thanked the members of Selection Committee for their significant efforts and commitment in the director selection process.   

A U of G faculty member since 2004, Newman has served as chair of the department of Environmental Biology since April, 2008.  His research program is focused on understanding the ecological impacts of climate change in temperate grasslands; he teaches courses in environmental science, ecosystem ecology and climate change biology.

"I am excited to be working with the exceptional faculty, staff and students in the new School,” Newman said. “Together we will create an environment in which teaching, learning and scholarship flourish. Beginnings are times of great potential and I look forward to the challenge of helping our School realize all of our potential."

Newman received his PhD in ecology at the State University of New York (Albany) in 1990 and holds a postgraduate diploma in learning and teaching in higher education from Oxford University.  Prior to joining the department of Environmental Biology at Guelph, he held faculty positions at Southern Illinois University and at Oxford.

For more information, contact OAC Communications: Brenda Cassidy at 519-824-4120, ext 56832 or bcassidy@uoguelph.ca