Brock University has announced that veteran senior administrator Greg Finn has been appointed to serve as the institution’s interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic, effective Oct. 1, 2018.

Finn will succeed Tom Dunk, who is completing a two-year appointment in the position. Dunk has served in the role since 2016. He joined Brock in 2008 as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a position he held until his appointment as Interim Provost.

In making today’s announcement, Brock President Gervan Fearon paid tribute to Dunk for “invaluable service and contributions over the past two years, providing critical support to the University during this important transition period.”

Dunk played a significant role in supporting the development of the Brock Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA2) and facilitating the consultation process involved in the development of the University’s new Strategic Plan.

“It has been a privilege and honour to serve the University,” said Dunk, “and I want to thank the Vice-Provosts, Deans, Associate Deans, University Librarian and staff in the Offices of the Provost and the Dean of Social Sciences for all of their support and assistance over the last 10 years.”

Dunk will work closely with the new interim Provost for the rest of 2018, as well as with the President on several University priority initiatives.

Finn’s appointment is for a term of up to two years. Since coming to Brock 1985, he has served as a Professor of Earth Sciences and, over the past 11 years, as Brock’s Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Academic.  He also has extensive experience representing Brock at the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and engaging with Deans across all the Faculties.

“I look forward to continuing the work begun by Tom, related to the University’s Strategic Plan and other academic initiatives begun over the past two years,” said Finn. “Collectively these actions will make Brock a destination of choice for students looking to pursue post-secondary education, for faculty looking to make a difference in our community reflected through their disciplinary expertise and for staff who are often the face of the University.”

Fearon said Brock, which this month celebrated its 100,000th graduate, continues to grow and advance as a comprehensive university, contributing student success; scholarly, research and creative activities; and community engagement.

“We are graduating students who are getting jobs today while being prepared for career of the future,” said Fearon.

“Brock has gone from success to success with significant growth in applications and confirmations for September 2018. We are building the university of the future today, and we are pleased to have strong academic talent to support this future.”

Additional information will be forthcoming on the search for a Provost and Vice-President, Academic, to further advance Brock’s academic mission and leadership in collaboration with faculty, staff and students across the University.

“I would like to thank everyone at the University for the support they have provided to Tom during his tenure, and we all extend a warm welcome to Greg in his new role,” said Fearon.