Beyond the Bowl: Sept. 2025

Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD) has been appointed the 12th president and vice-chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan (USask) for a five-year term beginning on January 1, 2026. The announcement was made Aug. 12 in Convocation Hall by Keith Martel, chair of USask’s Board of Governors and head of the presidential search committee. Currently serving as USask’s interim provost and vice-president academic, Bruni-Bossio has been a faculty member in the Edwards School of Business since 2012. Bruni-Bossio, who has an MBA from Edwards and a PhD from Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, will succeed Dr. Peter Stoicheff (PhD) who was appointed president in 2015.

Dr. Patti McDougall (PhD) will step in as interim provost and vice-president academic at USask beginning Oct. 1, 2025. This timing coincides with Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD) stepping away from the role as he prepares for the transition to become the next president and vice-chancellor of USask. Bringing more than 20 years of academic leadership to this role, McDougall is well known throughout USask campuses, having held a range of senior leadership roles at USask and St. Thomas More College (STM). In 2013, McDougall joined USask as vice-provost of teaching and learning.

On September 1, 2025, Dr. Marjorie Delbaere (PhD) stepped into the role of interim vice-provost, students and learning. Dr. Delbaere is a professor of marketing, and has previously served as associate dean, research, graduate programs and faculty relations within the Edwards School of Business, as chair of University Council, and as chair of the research, scholarly and artistic works committee. During the 2024/25 academic year, Delbaere led the Edwards School of Business as acting dean.

The University Library at USask has turned the page to start a new chapter with the appointment of Dr. Lori Birrell (EdD) as the new dean and university librarian. Birrell’s five-year term as dean officially began on Sept. 1, 2025. Birrell joins USask after serving in a series of administrative roles at research-intensive universities in the United States. With advanced degrees in feminist studies, history, library science, and higher education leadership, she has previously held key roles at the University of Arkansas and the University of Delaware.

Dr. Valentyna Klymiuk (PhD) has been appointed the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) Applied Genomics and Pre-breeding Chair in USask’s Crop Development Centre (CDC). Klymiuk started on Aug. 1, 2025, and is an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources’ Department of Plant Sciences. Klymiuk, who grew up in Ukraine, has a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD from Ukraine’s Donetsk National University and PhD from the University of Haifa in Israel. Klymiuk previously served as a research officer in the CDC with Dr. Curtis Pozniak (PhD).

Dr. Jeter Hall (PhD) was named executive director of the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation Inc. (Fedoruk Centre) at USask, effective July 2, 2025. Hall, the former director of research at SNOLAB, has stepped into the new role in the Fedoruk Centre following the planned departure of long-serving Executive Director Dr. John Root (PhD). Hall completed his PhD at the University of Utah and since 2017 was the leader of one of Canada’s premier facilities for astro-particle research at SNOLAB, heading the research group, project management office and scientific support team.

Scott Banda began his appointment as the 17th chancellor at USask on July 1, 2025, with the university bidding a fond farewell to College of Education alumna Grit McCreath. Banda began a 20-year tenure with Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) in 2002 and retired as FCL’s chief executive officer in 2022. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for Industry and Commerce in 2023 and earned Bachelor of Arts and law degrees at USask. McCreath served six years in the role and officially wrapped up her term as chancellor on June 30.

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) researcher Dr. Arinjay Banerjee (PhD) of USask is one of five Canadian researchers elected by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) for its inaugural Emerging Leaders cohort. CAHS brings the country’s top scientists and scholars together to tackle top-of-mind health concerns impacting Canadians. Banerjee, who completed his master’s thesis and PhD at USask, will have the opportunity to work closely with active members of CAHS over the next five years.