Memorandum

To: The Dalhousie University Community

From: Lawrence Stordy, Chair, Board of Governors

Date: June 18, 2018

Subject: Important Announcement re: Dr. Richard Florizone

It is with mixed emotion that I share the news with you that Dr. Richard Florizone will be stepping down
as Dalhousie University President in the new year.

Dalhousie University has always attracted the very best candidates, including Dr. Florizone. We have
benefitted greatly from his leadership and vision these past five years. We are saddened to see him
leave, yet we share his enthusiasm as he embarks on an exciting, “once in a lifetime” opportunity to lead
the new Quantum Valley Ideas Lab, based in Waterloo, Ontario which will benefit all of Canada. I know
that he looks forward to continuing to find ways to work with Dalhousie as he helps establish Canada as
a leader in this emerging global field.

Dr. Florizone and his leadership team began his presidency by engaging the community in 100 Days of
Listening, a process that sought input on a way forward for the university and informed our five-year
strategic plan. He has been steadfast in his commitment to advance our collective priorities, including
student retention and success, research excellence, and building a more diverse and inclusive university
community.

Over the last five years, a few of our shared successes include:

- Record student enrolment and fundraising

- Full accreditation of academic programs, and increased access to experiential learning for our
students
- Dalhousie faculty recognized with Canada’s top science prize in three of the last five years
- Securing the largest federal research grant in Canada in 2016 for the Ocean Frontier Institute
- Supporting the successful Ocean Supercluster application and helping to catalyze the attraction
of more than $500 million in ocean related R & D funding to the region
- Revitalization of our Sexton campus through the $64M IDEA project, opening the Collaborative
Health Education Building on Carleton Campus, and the McCain Learning Commons and our new
fitness centre on Studley campus, and launching the renewal of the Dalhousie Performing Arts
Centre
- On our Agricultural Campus in Truro, completing the biomass plant renewal project and starting
the new MacRae learning commons
- Attaining significant improvements in creating a campus where all belong, increasing diversity of
faculty and staff, and advancing reconciliation and the foundation for further progress
- Achieving balanced budgets in each of the last five years
- Energizing the Dalhousie community in the celebration of our 200th anniversary
Through his leadership, Dr. Florizone has positioned Dalhousie as a catalyst and collaborator for the
region. You can see this impact in collective achievements such as the Ocean Frontier Institute, COVE,
the Ocean Supercluster, IDEA Hub, and the Performing Arts Centre. We have proven what can be
accomplished when we work together, and we will continue to build on this potential.

Dalhousie University is entering its third century with tremendous momentum and with a very strong
team across the university. We will put an interim plan in place and the Board of Governors will take the
time to recruit another exceptional president as we continue to contribute to academic excellence,
transformational research, and community building. With the momentum and international profile that
Dalhousie has been creating, we know we will continue to attract world-class candidates.

As Chair of the Board and someone who has had the opportunity to work closely with him, I have
respected and admired how Dr. Florizone brought to the presidency an openness, reflectiveness, and
deep belief that we can – and must – always strive to do better. This approach has helped us address
many challenges and seize opportunities, as well as recognize our responsibility and potential as leaders
in the province, and beyond. Through his leadership, Dr. Florizone has shown us what’s possible when
we bring together our best thinking and commit to action. It will continue to be inspiring to see what we
make happen across our campuses, in the community, across the province, and around the world.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to thank Richard and his family for their many
contributions, and we look forward to seeing him continue to achieve great things. We are truly inspired
and excited to build on our many successes.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Stordy