Former VP-Principal appointed VP academic at Waterloo

Professor Ian Orchard, former vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, has been appointed vice-president academic and provost of the University of Waterloo for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2014.

Orchard, who served as UTM’s vice-president and principal for eight years, oversaw unprecedented enrolment growth and capital development including the construction of new academic, recreation and residence buildings. Prior to his position in Mississauga, he served as U of T’s first vice-provost, students, and also held positions as vice-dean and associate dean in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have worked at U of T and UTM for so many years, and to have interacted with so many fine faculty, staff and students,” Orchard said. “It has been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the growth and development of UTM over these last few years. I will miss everyone, but it was time for a new challenge and I am very excited at the thought of working with all segments of the University of Waterloo community, and helping the university achieve its goals and ambitions.”

An expert in insect neurobiology with more than 200 research publications, Orchard has been funded by NSERC since 1982, has chaired the NSERC Animal Physiology Grant Selection Committee and has presented numerous invited papers at international conferences.  In 2011, he was named a U of T Distinguished Professor of Biology, recognizing individuals with highly distinguished accomplishments, who maintain an extraordinary level of activity in their research, and who have achieved pre-eminence in their field.  In 2013, he received UTM’s 2013 Research Excellence Award.