Fulbright Canada Board Chair Installed as University of Michigan’s 15th President
On March 7, 2023, Fulbright Canada Board Chair, Dr. Santa J. Ono, was formally installed as the 15th president of the University of Michigan. Dr. Ono officially began his five-year term on October 14, 2022.
As a recognized leader in higher education in Canada and the United States, Dr. Ono most recently served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. He is an immunologist, an acclaimed vision researcher, and an accomplished cellist. In his work, Dr. Ono demonstrates a deep commitment to positive change, the ability to listen and problem-solve, and a passion for the communities he serves.
The inauguration ceremony was held on the storied University of Michigan campus. It featured long-established traditions, including a public symposium, an academic procession, musical performances, speakers, and the traditional Presidential Address, where Dr. Ono shared his vision for the future of the university. This vision included increasing justice, inclusion, and diversity on campus; supporting the health and well-being of faculty, staff, and students; and, addressing the climate emergency. Dr. Ono inspired with a focus on leading the university into the future: “let us set free our full power and potential as one of the world’s great universities. Let us come together like never before to address the world’s most pressing challenges, live our best traditions as a university, and create a future beyond our dreams”.
Fulbright Canada would like to congratulate Dr. Santa Ono on the occasion of his installation. We are grateful to have him serving as our Board Chair and, in the words of Michael Hawes, President and CEO at Fulbright Canada, “Santa Ono is one of the most complex and complete leaders I have had the pleasure to know. In addition to being an accomplished scientist, he is a great believer in the importance of the liberal arts, a champion of social justice, and a committed advocate for students. He is also a sports fan. His philosophy, which is driven by a servant leadership model, is truly inspiring”.
Fulbright Canada looks forward to continuing our work with President Ono, and we wish him well as he leads the University of Michigan into the future.
Go Blue!