By Sufia Langevin – Associate Editor 

On March 23, it was announced that Bishop’s University has selected its new principal, Dr. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier. The day before this announcement was made, the Bishop’s community was invited to Centennial Theatre to meet him as the preferred candidate. There were many faculty, administration, and staff in attendance, with a handful of students. Dr. Lebel-Grenier was presented by Robert Hall, chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the Search Committee for the Principal. 

Dr. Lebel-Grenier began by introducing his professional journey, having studied both common and civil law in his undergraduate degree and completing a master’s in legal theory in France before completing his doctorate at McGill. In 2001, he became a professor in the faculty of law at Université de Sherbrooke. There, he became the founding director of the common law and transnational law program, then Vice Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and then Dean for an eight-year term. In these roles, he said he has gained knowledge on university administration and negotiating with the government. 

He mentioned that while he is an outsider of Bishop’s, he has been a member of the Lennoxville community since 1997 and has attended many campus events such as Donald Lectures and guest lectures. His wife, Nadia Martel, is a Bishop’s alum from the class of 1990 and sat on the Board of Governors for seven years. He therefore has an understanding of Bishop’s unique charm. 

He notes that people may be disappointed to find that he is a white man, and that Bishop’s decision-making bodies should reflect the diversity of the student body which should reflect the diversity of Canada. In relation to EDI, he says that as a professor of constitutional law, including rights and freedoms, EDI is intrinsically linked to his work. At UdeS, he was the founder of an interdisciplinary research centre that focuses on law, religion, and society. He stated: “I both know the language and the practice of EDI.” In his time as Dean, he created a program to support Indigenous students entering law.

Dr. Lebel-Grenier is a francophone and believes that he is well-situated to become principal of our anglophone university, since the position he inhabits is a privileged one for him to become an effective advocate for the anglophone community. In French, he spoke of the harmonious cohabitation of francophones and anglophones in Lennoxville. 

He also notes the importance of Bishop’s traditions, such as the principal’s house on campus. He will not be living there, since he lives in Lennoxville with his wife, two sons, and mother-in-law, but he assured the community that the principal’s house will remain as active as it is now, as a hub of formal and informal activities and receptions. He does promise to maintain the tradition of serenading the principal during O-Week. 

After the presentation, the floor was open for questions from the community. Attendees asked questions concerning leadership styles, graduate studies, EDI, future visions, and decolonization. There were also questions concerning the process of the selection of the principal, asking why the community was only presented with one candidate, with no chance to provide feedback to the committee. Dr. Lebel-Grenier was approved as Principal at the Senate meeting which took place directly after the community meeting. Questions regarding conflicts of interest were raised and a working group has been created to seek input from the community on the procedure to select the principal. 

In June, Bishop’s will bid farewell and thank you to Michael Goldbloom for his fifteen years as Principal, and welcome Dr. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier as his replacement.