Dr. Sean Riley, President

The Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University announces the appointment of Dr. Sean E. Riley as the next President of the university. He will assume his duties on July 1, 1996 for a six year term, replacing Dr. David J. Lawless who retires on June 30, 1996 after serving a six year term.

Bishop Colin Campbell, Chair of the Board of Governors, says Dr. Riley brings to the university strong academic credentials, a broad professional experience in government, finance, and business, and a long-standing connection to St. F.X. The appointment of Dr. Riley signals the commitment of St.F.X. to build an administrative team equipped to meet the changing financial and academic challenges while at the same time reinforcing the special character and traditions of St.F.X.

Sean Riley graduated from St.F.X. in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (First Class). During his undergraduate years at St.F.X., Riley achieved outstanding recognition in many facets of university life. He was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal for highest academic standing at graduation. He was chosen by the student body as recipient of the Larkin Trophy as outstanding male student. As President of X-Project, a student and community outreach organization on campus, he received the Marcel Lussier Award for community service. In 1974 Riley also was chosen St.F.X. Male Athlete of the Year.

Selected as Rhodes Scholar for Nova Scotia in 1974 he undertook graduate studies at Oxford University in England, obtaining a Master of Philosophy (International Relations) with specialization in European economic integration and strategic studies. With additional support from a Canada Council Doctoral Fellowship he completed at Oxford University, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (International Relations) with research in the field of Canadian foreign policy.

Dr. Riley's professional career began as an extension of his academic specialization in Canadian foreign policy. He served as a ministerial advisor on policy and legislative affairs in the Department of External Affairs, and the Privy Council Office. After a return doctoral research, he acted as a ministerial advisor on federal-provincial fiscal negotiations and international financial affairs in the Department of Finance and again in the Department of External Affairs.

Moving to the private sector in 1985, Riley joined the National Bank of Canada. As a manager in the Treasury, and later in North American Corporate Banking, he had responsibilities for treasury operations and corporate finance for clients in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Since 1989 Dr. Riley has been shareholder, President and Chief Executive Officer, of two medium-sized industrial companies in Montreal with operations across Canada and more recently in the United States.

Active for several years as a sessional lecturer at L'Ecole Nationale d'Administration Publique (UQAM) and as a member of the selection committee for Quebec Rhodes Scholars, Dr. Riley has preserved a keen interest in university affairs. He has also served on the board of directors of various non-profit organizations, including the Montreal Youth Enterprise Center and the Montreal Metropolitan YMCA.

Dr. Riley is the son of the late Norman Riley and Sally Fraser of Antigonish. He is married to Catherine Rancy and they have four children, Thomas, Pierre, Brendan, and Justine.

St.F.X.

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