Welcome Back

Dear colleagues,

Although it may seem a distant memory now, I hope your holiday break was restful and that you returned to campus feeling refreshed and energized.

As a community, we entered 2024 with the hope for a more peaceful year ahead. Throughout the winter term, I trust that we will continue to support and celebrate each other through challenges and accomplishments alike. With that spirit in mind, I am pleased to congratulate four outstanding members of the Carleton community who were recently named to the Order of Canada: alumni Firdaus Kharas, Noella Maria Milne and André Picard, and former chair and Carleton’s Board of Governors member Nikita (Nik) James Nanos.

There is already much to look forward to in 2024. For instance, on February 2, the Capital Hoops Classic returns to TD Place as our national championship-winning Ravens men’s and women’s basketball teams face off against the University of Ottawa – and I would encourage everyone who can to go see these talented student athletes in action. Then, on February 22, we will gather to recognize well-deserving colleagues at the Service Excellence Awards luncheon.

In April, Carleton will host its second annual Challenge Conference, drawing influencers and decision-makers from business, government, research and community organizations to our campus to engage in important conversations. The theme for this year’s conference is Climate Solutions for a Sustainable Future, and we will once again hear from an incredible roster of thought-leaders as they share their insights and expertise on this crucial topic.

Finally, this year will see the much-anticipated announcement of Carleton’s next president and vice-chancellor. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the community consultation period; your input was integral to the search process and has greatly informed the advisory committee’s work in assessing and selecting the next person to lead our university.

Until then, I look forward to continuing to serve as your interim president, and to working with you all in the busy days and weeks to come.

Warm regards,

Jerry Tomberlin
Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
Office of the President