The University of Lethbridge’s Board of Governors approved the reappointment of senior administrators Dr. Andrew Hakin and Dr. Christopher J. Nicol on Thursday.
Dr. Andrew Hakin will continue in his role for a third term as the University’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic). His appointment is for a five-year term effective July 1, 2017. Hakin has served in the capacity of Provost and Vice-President (Academic) since July 1, 2007 and was reappointed for a second term July 1, 2012.
“Dr. Hakin is one of the most trusted members of our senior administrative team, and in his role as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) has been a major contributor to the successes and growth the University has experienced throughout his term,” says U of L President and Vie-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “Andy is a big-picture thinker who has been integral in helping define the strategic priorities of the University and through his work on the Destination Project, will continue to play an essential role in shaping the future of the University of Lethbridge.”
Hakin first came to the U of L as an Assistant Professor in 1989 after completing a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Alberta under former U of L professor Loren Hepler. He was named an Associate Professor in 1994 and Chair of the department in 1999. Since 2003, he has been a Professor in the department. Hakin’s first appointment to the senior administrative team was as the Associate Vice-President (Academic) in 2005.
An accomplished researcher, Hakin trained as a physical chemist and developed an expertise in the area of experimental thermodynamics. He earned the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award in 2000 and the Stig Sunner Memorial Award, awarded by the Calorimetry Conference in recognition of research and other contributions to the field of thermochemistry by an individual aged 40 or less, in 2003.
Dr. Christopher Nicol will continue in his role as University Librarian for a five-year term effective July 1, 2016.
Nicol, the former Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, took on the role of Acting University Librarian in Sept. 1, 2012 and was appointed to a three-year term as University Librarian July 1, 2013.
“Dr. Nicol’s longstanding service to the University as Dean of Arts & Science was outstanding, and similarly, he has had a very positive effect on the University Library in his time as University Librarian,” says Mahon. “Chris is an experienced administrator whose attention to detail, vision and forward-thinking attitude will continue to be of great benefit to the library, our students and the University as a whole.”
Nicol arrived on the U of L campus in 2001 and assumed his duties as a professor in economics while also serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. He will continue on as a professor of economics in the Department of Economics while serving as the University Librarian.
An esteemed researcher, Nicol's interests are in econometrics, applied econometrics and the theory of consumer behaviour. He has been awarded numerous grants from national funding agencies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and was recently honoured with a Lethbridge Family Services Immigrant Achievement Award as a distinguished professional.