UNIVERSITÉ SAINTE-ANNE
Noël Després, Université Sainte-Anne's New Chancellor

Martin Marcoux, Chair of Université Sainte-Anne's Board of Governors, is pleased to announce that Mr. Noël Després has been appointed Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne. Mr. Després succeeds Ms. Aldéa Landry, who has held this office since 2011.

"Mr. Després is one of the great pillars of French-speaking Nova Scotia's economic and community development. He brings to the Board of Governors first-rate experience and expertise and significant support to the University President. We welcome him with open arms to his new role as Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne."

- Martin Marcoux, Chair of the Board of Governors.

"I am both pleased and proud of the appointment of Mr. Després, a leader with a proven track record in the business world. His pride and commitment with respect to his community, the French language, Acadian culture and Université Sainte-Anne will make him an exceptional ambassador for our institution."

- Allister Surette, University President and Vice-Chancellor.

Noël Després, known both for his success in the business world and for his many community contributions, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Comeau's Sea Foods, a dynamic company that harvests, processes and markets seafood products. and which is recognized as a cornerstone of the regional economy of Southwestern Nova Scotia.

Mr. Després has an extraordinary knowledge of the business world and spends much of his time sharing his experience with companies and organizations across Eastern Canada. Among other responsibilities, he is President of the Fisheries Safety Association of Nova Scotia and Vice President of Perennia. He previously also served as Chair of the Assumption Life Board of Governors in Moncton, NB, and as a Nova Scotia Board Member of the Canadian Manufacturers Association.

In addition to his professional activities, he is also very committed to the community: he is a member of the Clare Health Center Foundation and the Sacred Heart Parish of Saulnierville, with whom he has been involved for over 20 years. Between 2005 and 2011 he served as vice-president of the Clare Acadian Festival and has been involved in various organizations that benefit the region's youth, including the Clare Preschool.

Moreover, Mr. Després has always played an active role with his alma mater. For nearly a decade he has served on the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne both as a member and President, and from 2007 to 2012, he was President of the Université Sainte-Anne Alumni Association. In 2016, Université Sainte-Anne awarded him an honorary doctorate in administrative sciences.

Monsieur Després is married to Yvette Comeau and is father to four children: Chantale, Lise, Jacinthe and Aimée.

"I am both moved and honoured to have been asked to be Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne. Université Sainte-Anne is my alma mater and since completing my studies there, it has always remained close to my heart. As Chancellor, I hope I may help strengthen its innovative presence on the university scene and its influence as a pillar of Acadian culture in Nova Scotia and around the world. I feel excited and ready to take on the challenge of continuing the fine work of my most recent counterparts, Louis Deveau and Aldéa Landry."

- Noël Després, the new Chancellor.

Mr. Després assumed his duties as Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne upon his appointment on November 1, 2019. The official installation ceremony will be held on May 9, 2020, during the convocation ceremonies. Appointed for a five-year term, as stipulated by the University's by-laws, Mr. Després will play an honorary role: he will be a member of the Board of Governors, he will preside over the convocation ceremonies and he will be invited to the University's official ceremonies and public activities. He will also support the University President in his fundraising activities.