York University is pleased to announce that Janusz A. Kozinski has accepted the position as inaugural dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering and Donald Hastie as the interim dean of the Faculty of Science, commencing July 1, 2012.
“The provost and I are pleased that Dr. Kozinski and Dr. Hastie have accepted these positions,” says York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “I look forward to working with both of them, and I hope all members of the 
Faculty will join me in congratulating them.”
Janusz A. Kozinski
On May 24, York University’s Senate approved the establishment of a new Faculty, renamed the Lassonde School of Engineering. The new engineering school will provide a home for current engineering research and programs at York, as well as a platform for enrolment expansion and development of new program initiatives. With the Board of Governors approving the new Faculty on Monday, it was important to move to implement the leadership teams to advance planning for both the Lassonde School of Engineering and the Faculty of Science.
Kozinski has provided outstanding leadership to the Faculty of Science & Engineering (FSE) since his appointment as dean in July of 2010. In particular, he has overseen the development of detailed plans for the new engineering Faculty, including its new building and its distinctive vision and programming directions. He has also played a crucial role in securing significant funding in support of the school, including the major donation from Pierre Lassonde, for whom the school is named. Kozinski will serve as the dean until June 30, 2015.
“Leading the first engineering school created in Canada in the 21st century is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said 
Kozinski. “The Lassonde School of Engineering will be truly unique among Canadian engineering faculties. Our ambition is to breach new educational frontiers and embrace novel academic concepts.”
Don Hastie
With Kozinski’s appointment, a key leadership role needed to be filled in the Faculty of Science (FSE) until the appointment of a new dean. In this capacity, Professor Donald Hastie was named as interim dean.
Hastie is a professor of chemistry, specializing in atmospheric chemistry, and is a former chair of the Department of Chemistry. He is currently serving as associate dean in FSE.
“We have the opportunity to move from a superb Faculty of Science and Engineering to twin faculties with even higher profiles,” said Hastie. “I am honoured to be able to play a role in this development.”
We will be undertaking a full search for a new dean of the Faculty of Science in the 2012-13 academic year, with the expectation of making an appointment for July 1, 2013.