A White Rock man has been named the new chancellor of Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Dr. George Melville – who is chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International – was installed Oct. 1 for a three-year term.
He is the university’s second chancellor.
According to a news release, Melville served as a member of KPU’s board of governors for six years, where he helped guide the university’s transition from a community college to a university.
In 2012, he and his wife Sylvia donated $500,000 to create the Melville Centre for Dialogue at KPU Richmond.
Last year, he received an honorary doctor of laws from the university.
This latest honour was noted by White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin Monday, during his report to council.
“So we have the chancellor and we have the president (Alan Davis) living in White Rock, so things are looking good in that respect,” Baldwin said.
Davis presented the university’s strategic plan, Vision 2018, to council in September 2013.
At the time, he shared plans for Kwantlen to return to White Rock, as well as establish a presence in South Surrey’s Grandview Heights.
In addition to naming Melville as chancellor, KPU presented four honorary degrees during last week’s fall convocation ceremonies.
Recipients were former chancellor Arvinder Bubber, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation president and CEO Jane Adams, for Surrey School District superintendent Mike McKay and Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.
Honorary degrees recognize dignified achievements or outstanding service to the public.
