York University Political Science Professor Kenneth McRoberts appointed principal of Glendon College effective July 1, 1999

By Andrew McRae

A fresh new chapter in the future of Glendon College is about to open with the appointment of York University Political Science Professor Kenneth McRoberts as its new Principal. Glendon College is York University's bilingual Arts Faculty, and is the only institution in southern Ontario where university programs are offered in both French and English. McRoberts' expertise on language, nationalism and federal unity in Canada make him uniquely qualified to lead York's bilingual arts Faculty into the next millennium.

"Professor McRoberts' sterling credentials as a scholar, author, administrator and teacher are complemented by his leadership skills, and the energy and commitment with which he takes on challenges," said York University President Lorna Marsden; adding, "The Board of Governors and I have given Professor McRoberts a five-year mandate to build on Glendon's historical mission as a bilingual liberal arts institution. We anticipate that the students, faculty and staff of Glendon - as well as the larger community - will be well-served by his efforts."

As incoming principal, McRoberts is keen to see Glendon reach its potential by working closely with students, faculty and staff during this critical period in Glendon's development. With a very low student/professor ratio, the College offers a superior learning environment for pursuing undergraduate studies. "Glendon had a rich history, and I feel honoured to take on this challenging position," said McRoberts.

Bridging the cultural separation that is often a national reality between French- and English-Canadian students is a mission McRoberts wants to undertake during his time as principal, believing an active interaction between the two linguistic communities is integral to Glendon's ethos as a bilingual institution.

Regarding this interaction, McRoberts commented: "I would like to see Glendon draw upon these two communities across the country as a whole, in their full richness. This means attracting Anglophones throughout Canada, especially the graduates of French immersion programs. It also means providing French-language university education for Ontario's increasingly diverse Francophone population, while working to secure a stronger participation of Francophones from Quebec, as well as other parts of Canada.

"I would like to help Glendon become a truly national institution that would allow Anglophones and Francophones to meet, that would serve as a bridge between Quebec and the rest of Canada. At the same time, it could play a critical role in preparing young Canadians for public service," he continued.

McRoberts, 56, has taught in the Department of Political Science at the University since 1969, and conducted lectures in French at Glenden for the last three years. He has served as director of the graduate program in Political Science and director of the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies, and has completed a six-year term as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Canadian Studies. Recently, he was elected president of the Canadian Political Science Association.

McRoberts, born in Vancouver, B.C., earned his BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his MA and PhD in political science from the University of Chicago. He has written on a variety of topics including Quebec politics, Canadian federalism, and constitutional questions. He is author of Quebec: Social Change and Political Crisis, and his most recent book, Misconceiving Canada: The Struggle for National Unity, will be published in French this fall. Currently, he is completing a book on language and nationalism in Catalonia, Spain.

The incoming principal cites the most exciting challenge of Glenden College as being the shaping of a student body and faculty committed to the mission of moulding the college into a bilingual, national institution where members of the Anglophone and Francophone communities may meet and share the unique qualities and perspectives of their respective cultures.

Professor McRoberts' appointment as Glenden College principal in 1999 is appropriately timed with York University's 40th anniversary celebrations, as it offers a new and fresh start in the maturing of both the York and Glendon campuses. It also adds to the already rich history of the only bilingual university institution in southern Ontario.