Media Release

February 18, 2011

NEW MACEWAN PRESIDENT COMES HOME TO EDMONTON

Edmonton-- The Board of Grant MacEwan University is very pleased to
announce the successful result of its search for MacEwan’s new
President. Dr. David Atkinson will be bringing his considerable
experience and expertise to the University starting July 1, 2011.

Dr. Atkinson has a career that is marked by academic excellence, a

commitment to students and experience as President of three
Canadian universities. He began his academic career at the
University of Lethbridge, served as the Dean of Arts and Science at
the University of Saskatchewan, and moved on to Brock University
and then Carleton University as President. Dr. Atkinson took the helm
of Kwantlen Polytechnic University in the Lower Mainland, B.C., in
2008, a post he will hold until beginning his appointment at Grant
MacEwan University. Dr. Atkinson led Kwantlen, which has a profile
very similar to MacEwan’s, through its transformation from university
college to university.

“Joining Grant MacEwan University at this time in its growth is a once

in a lifetime opportunity,” said David Atkinson. “For my entire career,
I have remained passionately engaged with student involvement and
excellence in undergraduate education. I’m looking forward to
working with the board, students, faculty and staff. The sense of
pride and optimism at MacEwan is everywhere. You only have to
spend a few hours with people here to know that this is a dynamic
institution with a proud past and a great future.”

Board Chair John Day added that this is a homecoming for David
Atkinson and his family. “David’s roots in Edmonton are strong. He
grew up in the province, received the majority of his education in
Alberta and his family is here. We think he’s the right person to lead
us into the future and shoulder MacEwan’s responsibilities as a major
educator and institution in our city.”

“Grant MacEwan University has always been very fortunate in the

calibre of president it has attracted. Paul Byrne is leaving a
tremendous legacy with his retirement and we’re proud that the
University will have the leadership it needs for the future,” Day
noted.

“I am very pleased that David Atkinson has accepted the presidency

at MacEwan. I look forward to welcoming David to the MacEwan
family and working with him to ensure a smooth transition to the
University,” said retiring President & CEO Dr. Paul Byrne.
 The appointment of Dr. Atkinson was the culmination of work that
began last May by a Presidential Search Committee which included
board members and representation from faculty, staff, students,
administration, Academic Governance Council, and the community.

Grant MacEwan University is a vibrant, innovative educational institution committed to

providing a quality learning experience for students and faculty. MacEwan is Alberta's largest
comprehensive undergraduate university with four campuses and more than 70 programs.

Dr. David Atkinson -- Backgrounder

Dr. David Atkinson began his university education at Indiana

University where he was an All-American in Cross Country. He
returned to the University of Calgary, where he completed his B.A. in
English, and then went on to complete both M.A., and Ph.D., also in
English. He began his academic career at the University of
Lethbridge in 1976, where he remained for fifteen years, first as a
faculty member in the Department of English and then in the
Department of Religious Studies. He was appointed Dean of Arts and
Science at the University of Saskatchewan in 1991, and subsequently
served as President of three Canadian universities: Brock University
in St. Catharines, Ont., Carleton University in Ottawa, and Kwantlen
Polytechnic University in Surrey, BC.

Dr. Atkinson has taught and conducted research in areas as diverse

as Renaissance English Literature, Comparative Hermeneutics, World
Religions, and South Asian and Japanese Literature. He has published
four books and over ninety essays and reviews. Dr. Atkinson has
been active in both the academic and non-academic community. He
was Visiting Professor at Hokkaigakuen University in Sapporo, Japan,
was editor of the journal Religious Studies and Theology, and has
served as reviewer and referee for various granting councils. He has
served on the Boards of numerous organizations, most recently on
the Board of the Vancouver Opera and the Board of Katimavik. He is
a Paul Menton Fellow of Rotary International and received the
Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

David is married to Terry, who has enjoyed a long career in nursing

and nursing management, and has twin sons, Jonathan, an Engineer
living in St. Catharines, and Zachary, an Industrial Designer living in
Edmonton. In his spare time, David plays the piano, and can often be
found at the gym.

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For further information, please contact:

David Beharry, Media Relations Advisor
(780) 497-5586
Cell: (780)231-5954
E-mail: beharryd@macewan.ca

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