MacEwan University welcomes Gary Mar as the second chancellor to serve as the institution's ceremonial head.
The MacEwan University Board of Governors has elected Mar to be installed as chancellor for a four-year, non-renewable term. As chancellor, Mar will be the university's ceremonial head and work closely with leadership and the external community to build connections and relationships that increase MacEwan's profile and contribute to realizing its vision.
"Gary believes in the transformative power of education to help people thrive, and also understands the role a university plays in driving economic development and productivity," says Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor of MacEwan University. "As a big thinker who has a lot of experience being a champion for our city, our province and our country, he will help us communicate our relevance and value."
Mar is the president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, an independent, non-partisan policy organization with a focus on trade, investment, natural resources and human capital. Previously, Mar was the president and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada. From 1993 to 2007, he served as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta and held several cabinet portfolios during that time. Mar also served as the official representative (minister-counsellor) of the Province of Alberta at the Canadian Embassy in Washington from 2007-2011 and senior representative to Asia from 2011-2015.
In 1987, Mar graduated from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law. He's been appointed as an adjunct professor at the U of A's School of Marketing, Business Economics and Law and the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business. He also serves on the International Advisory Board for the School of Global Policy and Strategy for the University of California, San Diego.
"I have a great respect for education and educators - my wife Nancy was a teacher in Edmonton. What I admire about MacEwan University is that Teaching Greatness is the core pillar, centred on the student. I'm excited to be an ambassador for an institution I have admiration for," says Mar. "To me, if you're doing a great job, how many people know about it? The answer is always not enough. Helping burnish the reputation of MacEwan for the good work it does is important."
