The oath of office has been taken, and the official academic robes have been draped over her shoulders. Brandon University has formally installed Dr. Christine Bovis-Cnossen as President and Vice-Chancellor.
The installation, led by BU Chancellor Mary Jane McCallum and BU Board of Governors Vice-Chair Quintin Pearce, was one of the opening elements of Thursday morning's (May 28) Convocation ceremony at the Healthy Living Centre.
While Dr. Bovis-Cnossen has served actively as BU President since joining the university last fall, the installation ceremony is an important academic tradition that formally welcomes a new president to the leadership of the university community.
The ceremony took place during the first of four Convocation ceremonies celebrating the Class of 2026, connecting the beginnings of a new presidency with the graduation of more than 500 students who are embarking on their own next steps.
"Convocation is the end of one part of a journey, and the beginning of the next stage," Dr. Bovis-Cnossen said in her Installation address. "This installation ceremony, as I officially accept the responsibility of serving as Brandon University President, is just such a moment for me, as well as for this institution."
Dr. Bovis-Cnossen brings to BU more than 30 years of leadership experience from universities in Canada and the United Kingdom. Prior to joining Brandon University, she served in senior leadership roles including Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of East Anglia in England, Interim President at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, and Vice-President Academic at OCAD University in Toronto.
An accomplished scholar of sociology and social anthropology, her research has focused on equity, inclusion, military sociology, and the role of women in combat. Throughout her career, she has emphasized student success, inclusive leadership, transparency, and the transformative power of higher education.
In her installation remarks, Dr. Bovis-Cnossen reflected on her own educational journey as a first-generation university student while outlining a broad vision for Brandon University's future that is rooted in student-centred learning, Reconciliation, community connection, and institutional sustainability.
"BU may be Canada's Finest Regional University,' but we are also so much more," she said. "We are student centred at our very core and students come first for all of us."
She emphasized the university's responsibility to remain accessible and community-focused while preparing students to contribute meaningfully to society.
"Higher education is about more than getting a job," she said. "It's about fostering critical thinking, promoting civic engagement, and contributing to a more informed and just society."
Although the installation ceremony marked an important institutional milestone, Convocation also highlighted BU's hundreds of graduates and their accomplishments.
"Our graduates are the reason we gather together this week," said Dr. Bovis-Cnossen. "It is a deep honour to share the stage for my installation with students whose skills and knowledge will help shape communities here in Manitoba and far beyond."
A total of 530 Brandon University graduates are receiving their degrees during four ceremonies over two days at BU's Healthy Living Centre.
