Harvey Secter re-elected as Chancellor
Harvey Secter
University of Manitoba Board of Governors Chair, Patricia Bovey, is pleased to announce the re-election of Harvey Secter as Chancellor of the University for a third term beginning June 1, 2016. Mr. Secter, a highly respected business, community and academic leader with a long history with the University, has served as the 13th Chancellor of the University of Manitoba since January, 2010.
The re-election of Chancellor Secter took place earlier today at a meeting of the Committee of Election. This committee was established in The University of Manitoba Act for the sole purpose of electing a chancellor. Its membership consists of all members of the Board of Governors and of Senate, and is chaired by the Chair of the Board of Governors.
The Chancellor, as titular head of the University, confers all degrees and diplomas, and plays a leading role in advancing the University.
“As Chancellor, Harvey Secter has been an outstanding ambassador for the University of Manitoba,” said Patricia Bovey, Chair of the Board of Governors. “I am delighted that the University will continue to benefit from his sage counsel and leadership.”
Mr. Secter received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba in 1967. Following graduation, he directed the growth of Ricki’s Canada Limited, a family retail business, from a ten-store chain to a multi-divisional national operation of 150 stores. He pursued his business career until 1988 when he returned to the University of Manitoba as a student.
Graduating from the Faculty of Law with the Gold Medal in Law in 1992, Mr. Secter went on to pursue a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School. He then became a visiting researcher and instructor at Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, where he assisted in teaching courses and workshops in negotiation and mediation. Mr. Secter also acted as an instructor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law from 1995 to 1999.
In 1999, Mr. Secter was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba – just seven years after he graduated from that same faculty. He served in this position with distinction until 2008. Following his time as Dean, he was named Dean Emeritus of the Faculty of Law.
Following his decade of service to the Faculty of Law, Mr. Secter retired in 2008. He continues his practice in mediation and arbitration. He serves on corporate boards as Director of FPCN General Partnership Inc., a Trustee of the FP Newspapers Income Fund and as a Director of James Richardson & Sons, Limited.
Mr. Secter is also an active community philanthropist and volunteer. He is Past President and current member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, a member of the United Way Advisory Committee, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, and Emeritus member of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council.
“I am delighted that Mr. Secter has been re-elected as Chancellor,” said Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “As Chancellor, and as honorary Chair of the Front and Centre Campaign, Chancellor Secter shows visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the growth and success of the University of Manitoba”
Among Mr. Secter’s many honours, awards and appointments are an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg, the Sol Kanee Distinguished Community Service Award from the University of Manitoba, and, with his wife, Sandra, the Negev Award for Community Service.