James Downey (academic)
Encyclopedia
James Downey, OC
(born April 20, 1939) is a Canadian
academic.
Born in Winterton, Newfoundland
, Downey was a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland
and of the University of London
where, as a Rothermere Fellow, he earned a PhD
in English literature in 1966.
At Carleton University
, where he began his career, he held a series of academic and administrative posts, including chairman of the English department, dean of the faculty of arts, vice-president (academic) and interim president for the first five months of 1979.
From 1980 to 1990 he was President of the University of New Brunswick
. During that period he also served terms as president of the Canadian Bureau for International Education
, chairman of the Association of Atlantic Universities and chairman of the Corporate-Higher Education Forum.
From 1990 to 1993 he was special advisor to the Premier of New Brunswick and co-chairman of the New Brunswick Commission on Excellence in Education, which published two reports that guided educational reform in that province.
Downey was president of the University of Waterloo
from 1993 to 1999, during which time he also served terms as chairman of the Council of Ontario Universities
and Chair of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
.
His publications include The Eighteenth Century Pulpit (Oxford University Press, 1969), Fearful Joy (McGill-Queens University Press, 1973), Schools For A New Century and To Live and Learn (reports of the New Brunswick Commission on Excellence in Education, 1992, 1993), and Innovation: Essays by Leading Canadian Researchers, edited with Lois Claxton (Key Porter Books, 2002).
Among his awards are honorary degrees from six Canadian and two American universities. In 2000 he was the recipient from the Association of Commonwealth Universities of the Symons Medal for outstanding service to higher education in the Commonwealth, and in 2003 he received the David C. Smith Award from the Council of Ontario Universities for his contributions to universities and public policy in Canada.
In 2005, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Royal Military College of Canada
.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
in 1996.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born April 20, 1939) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
academic.
Born in Winterton, Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
, Downey was a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
and of the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
where, as a Rothermere Fellow, he earned a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in English literature in 1966.
At Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
, where he began his career, he held a series of academic and administrative posts, including chairman of the English department, dean of the faculty of arts, vice-president (academic) and interim president for the first five months of 1979.
From 1980 to 1990 he was President of the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
. During that period he also served terms as president of the Canadian Bureau for International Education
Canadian Bureau for International Education
The Canadian Bureau for International Education promotes Canada's international relations through international education - supporting the interests of foreign nationals studying in Canada and the Canadians studying abroad. It advocates for the free movement of ideas and learners across national...
, chairman of the Association of Atlantic Universities and chairman of the Corporate-Higher Education Forum.
From 1990 to 1993 he was special advisor to the Premier of New Brunswick and co-chairman of the New Brunswick Commission on Excellence in Education, which published two reports that guided educational reform in that province.
Downey was president of the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
from 1993 to 1999, during which time he also served terms as chairman of the Council of Ontario Universities
Council of Ontario Universities
The Council of Ontario Universities builds awareness of the university sector’s contributions to the social, economic and cultural well-being of the province and the country, as well as the issues that impact the sector’s ability to maximize these contributions...
and Chair of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
Association of Commonwealth Universities
The Association of Commonwealth Universities represents over 480 universities from Commonwealth countries.- History :In 1912, the University of London took the initiative to assemble 53 representatives of universities in London to hold a Congress of Universities of the Empire...
.
His publications include The Eighteenth Century Pulpit (Oxford University Press, 1969), Fearful Joy (McGill-Queens University Press, 1973), Schools For A New Century and To Live and Learn (reports of the New Brunswick Commission on Excellence in Education, 1992, 1993), and Innovation: Essays by Leading Canadian Researchers, edited with Lois Claxton (Key Porter Books, 2002).
Among his awards are honorary degrees from six Canadian and two American universities. In 2000 he was the recipient from the Association of Commonwealth Universities of the Symons Medal for outstanding service to higher education in the Commonwealth, and in 2003 he received the David C. Smith Award from the Council of Ontario Universities for his contributions to universities and public policy in Canada.
In 2005, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1996.