New U of M president a tech executive, writer, and poetry enthusiast

Magally Zelaya, staff

David T. Barnard was named the 11th president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba at a ceremony held on Friday, Nov. 30. His five-year term will begin July 1, 2008 as he succeeds Em?ke Szathmáry after her 12-year tenure ends on June 30, 2008.

Currently Barnard is the chief executive officer of IQmedX, an information technology company that provides hardware, software, and services to manage health data, and he is the chief operating officer of IQmedX’s parent company IQmetrix.

As part of his introductory remarks Barnard recited a poem entitled “Musicians” by Canadian poet Jan Zwicky, and noted that the last line: “even the gravel dust stuttering at their feet is coherent”— is his favourite.

He went on to use the line as a reference for his goals as president.

“[I’m] looking to achieve that kind of coherence that kind of depth with shared human commitment to substantial and important values inside the academy,” said Barnard. “Taking that coherence to make a difference other places so that even the ground we walk on seems to become coherent.”

Barnard noted that the U of M is performing well and that he does not have dramatic plans for the university’s future.

“I’m not coming with any personal agenda or radical discontinuities with respect to the institutions plans and its direction for the future,” he said.

Fifty-six-year-old Barnard was born in New Liskeard, Ont. and studied computer science at the University of Toronto where he attained a B.Sc., M.Sc., and a PhD. He then went on to Queen’s University where he held various administrative positions, including director of computing and communication services, head of computing and information science, and associate vice-principal.

In 1996 he served as vice-president (administration) and controller at the University of Regina and then as president and vice-chancellor from 1998-2005.

Barnard also attained a diploma in theology from Regent College at the University of British Columbia. His reinterpretation of the story of King David entitled With Skilful Hand was published by McGill-Queen’s University Press in 2004.

Barnard is active in many boards and serves on the board of Greystone Managed Investments, the board of the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority, and the board of the Canada West Foundation. He is the chair of the Provincial Court Commission of Saskatchewan and the vice-chair of the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

Previously, Barnard served as lead director on the board of the Bank of Canada and as chair of the Minister’s Advisory Council on Information Technology and the board of SaskPower.

Though Barnard reserved comments about his views on the tuition freeze and new funding sources until he is better versed in the university’s issues, he did say, “I hope to have a cordial and effective working relationship with the student leaders and to the extent possible get to know other students.

“I think it’s very, very important that the president be in touch with what’s happening with the student body.”

Barnard was approved as the upcoming president at a meeting of the board of governors held on Thursday, Nov. 30 ending a search and selection process that began a year ago. In November 2007, the board of governors approved the establishment of a 14-member search committee made up of members of the board of governors, members of senate, students, staff, faculty, and community members.

The committee began its search in March of this year using a detailed position profile that was established as a result of a series of consultations with members of the university community, explained Terry Sargeant, chair of the committee and chair of the board of governors.

“The committee advertised widely and with the assistance of a search consultant identified and considered candidates from across the country and around the world,” said Sargeant.

Once the committee had selected a candidate and conducted interviews and record checks, they made their recommendation to the board of governors who approved the decision.

“The University of Manitoba is fortunate to have found someone as ideally suited for the position as Dr. Barnard. He will serve as an excellent champion of this institution locally, nationally, and internationally,” said Sargeant.

Outgoing president and vice-chancellor Emöke Szathmáry recognized the upcoming 11th president as “someone who understands that there is a profound link between thinking, feeling, and acting, understands people, understands the younger generation, and knows how to reach them to lead in the 21st century.”

Barnard acknowledged Szathmáry’s words and noted, “There could be no one who is a stronger advocate of this institution than [Szathmáry] has been.” He continued, “If I can be as enthusiastic that would be a very high and lofty ambition.”