U of S appoints dean in the College of Arts & Science

The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has appointed Peta Bonham-Smith as dean of the College of Arts & Science for a five-year term.

Bonham-Smith, who has served as dean of the college on an interim basis since July 13, 2015, will step into the permanent role effective July 1, 2017.

“During my time with the college—as an academic, instructor and administrator—I have come to appreciate the excellent teaching, research, scholarly and artistic work of my colleagues, faculty, staff and students,” said Bonham-Smith. “It is truly an honour to continue advancing this work as dean of the college.”

Bonham-Smith, who earned her BSc from Wolverhampton Polytechnic U.K. and her PhD from the University of Calgary, joined the U of S Department of Biology in 1994. She was the director of the Virtual College of Biotechnology from 2000-02; department head of biology from 2008-10; and vice-dean, science from 2010-15.

With an outstanding teaching track record (a USSU Teaching Excellence Award in 2001 and a Division of Science Teaching Excellence Award in 2009 from the college) and an equally accomplished research resume focused on the plant ribosome and how plants react to stress, Bonham-Smith brings a rich, balanced background to the position.

“Our College of Arts & Science offers the widest array of disciplines housed in one college, in all of Canada—arts, humanities, science and social sciences. We are unique in what we are able to offer our students, as well as how researchers are able to easily collaborate across disciplines,” said Bonham-Smith, who took over the college’s leadership from Peter Stoicheff when he was announced as the 11^th U of S president. “This structure, supported by an array of infrastructure and centres, offers the college community exceptional opportunities to explore diverse interests that are of broad value to society both locally and globally.”

Bonham-Smith said the diverse array of research centres in areas such as hydrology, atmospheric studies, subatomic physics, behavioural science, humanities and social science, “supports and strengthens university-wide priorities and adds incredible learning opportunities for students.”

“In appointing Dr. Bonham-Smith as dean the university is confirming its confidence in her ability to lead a complex and crucial college, something she has been doing with skill for the past two years,” said Michael Atkinson, interim provost and vice-president academic. “Dr. Bonham-Smith knows how to listen, to mobilize support and to make creative change. I am excited to see how she and her leadership team will continue to connect disparate disciplines and achieve outstanding results.”

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