University of Regina names new president

After about a year of searching, the University of Regina has announced its new president and vice-chancellor.

Dr. Jeff Keshen was introduced to media Monday morning.

Keshen has worked at Mount Royal University, the University of Ottawa and the University of Calgary. Most recently, he has been working as a vice-president at the Grenfell campus of Memorial University in Newfoundland, currently alongside former University of Regina president Vianne Timmons.

In his remarks, Keshen talked about the importance of students’ mental health as well as inclusivity, the necessity of a commitment to sustainability, and his thoughts on raising the reputation of the University of Regina.

He also thanked the search committee which chose him, and commended the university leadership on how it has handled the pandemic so far.

Keshen said it’s always different coming to a new institution and even in normal times, there would be a lot of learning.

“Looking ahead with optimism, we will soon emerge from difficult times and what I would like to take away from this period is what we’ve all seen, and that is the outpourings of compassion,” said Keshen.

The university’s interim president, Dr. Thomas Chase, will stay on until Keshen comes to Regina to begin his new job.