UBC announces its new president

UBC has named its 15^th president and vice chancellor and he is a Vancouver-born biomedical researcher.

Dr. Santa Jeremy Ono will be joining the team in B.C., leaving his position as president of the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio. Prior to this position, Ono severed as the senior vice president for academic affairs at UC.

Ono succeeds Interim President Martha Piper, who will retire June 30. He will become president on Aug. 15 for a five-year term.

According to UBC, he is widely recognized as a social media trailblazer in the post-secondary education sector—engaging campus communities and inspiring passionate interest in learning and research through an online presence .

“I am greatly humbled by the opportunity to lead one of the world’s greatest universities,” said Ono. “UBC attracts the best and brightest faculty and students. It is uniquely positioned on the Pacific Rim and boasts one of the most diverse and sustainable campuses. I relish the opportunity to help UBC realize its aspirations and destiny as a truly global university.”

Ono’s father is an accomplished mathematician who formerly taught as a faculty member in UBC’s math department.

The UBC Board of Governors voted unanimously to appoint the president following an international search by a 21-member committee comprising faculty, staff, students, alumni, senate and board members from UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, and chaired by UBC Chancellor Lindsay Gordon.

Former UBC president Dr. Arvind Gupta resigned in August 2015 saying he wanted more time to focus on research and scholarly work. This was then followed by controversy as a school professor claimed Gupta was bullied out of his position.

The chair of the university then issued a statement saying he was deeply concerned about the allegations and denied any wrongdoing.

Ono will be in the Okangan Monday afternoon to tour the campus and visit with staff and media.