David Agnew to become next Seneca College President

Toronto, April 2, 2009 - On behalf of the Seneca College Board of Governors, Board Chair Helen Hayward is pleased to announce the appointment of David Agnew as the fifth President of Seneca College in its 41-year history.

"The Seneca College Board of Governors set out stringent criteria in the search for a new President to lead our College," Ms. Hayward said. "We needed a strong leader to build on our record of growth, innovation and provincial, national and international leadership in post-secondary education, and we have that person in Mr. Agnew."

Mr. Agnew comes to Seneca after serving as the Ombudsman of Banking Services and Investments since 2005. Raised in Toronto, he is active in community affairs and volunteers as a Board Director of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.

Previously, Mr. Agnew was the President and CEO of UNICEF Canada, a Principal at the strategy consulting firm Digital 4Sight and Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario.

"He brings a wealth of experience to Seneca with a distinguished career in the private, public and non-governmental sectors and is well qualified to continue Seneca's leadership in post-secondary education and the training of market-ready graduates," Ms. Hayward said.

Mr. Agnew was also the Secretary of Cabinet in the Government of Ontario from 1992 to 1995, led the Public-Private Partnerships Project and was Chief of Staff to the Premier of Ontario for two years.

He was seconded to the University of Toronto from 1995 to 1996, was a Senior Resident at Massey College and is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Mr. Agnew's experience extends to the field of journalism, having worked as a newspaper reporter in St. John's, Ottawa, Toronto and Edmonton.

"I am honoured to join an organization with such an exceptional reputation for excellence and innovation," Mr. Agnew said.  "There could not be a more important time for Seneca's key role in providing students with the best possible education and training for today's and tomorrow's economy.  I look forward to working with the Seneca team and all our stakeholders in continuing our work as a transformational leader in education."

David Agnew will become the President of Seneca College on July 1.

More people choose Seneca than any other college in Canada. With eight campuses across the Greater Toronto Area, Seneca provides internationally and nationally recognized polytechnic education, training, and academic pathways key to graduate career success in the global economy. Every Seneca diploma, certificate and degree program is developed to a high academic standard, in consultation with industry, integrated with information technology, combined with technical and transferable skills, and reinforced by opportunities for ongoing education and re-training.

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Seneca College Media Relations
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