Gregory Sorbara speaks to Excalibur on recent chancellor appointment

Gregory Sorbara, York alumnus and former Ontario cabinet minister, has been appointed York’s newest chancellor.
He was appointed on April 28 by Julia Foster, chair, board of governors, and Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor of York.
“I am really honoured to have been asked to do it. I am excited about what I might be able to do to contribute to York’s continued growth and development during the course of my term,” says Sorbara.
With Sorbara’s three-year term officially beginning June 2014, the new ambassador of York will be responsible for all convocation ceremonies and conferring of degrees to students.
“My expectation is to be a good and available ambassador to the university, and to help out on whatever missions arise over the next three years and beyond,” says Sorbara.
Sorbara studied at Glendon College in 1978, and continued his education at Osgoode Hall Law School in 1981. More recently, he received an honorary doctorate of laws in 2013.
Sorbara also has an extensive 27-year career in Ontario public service. During this time, he has held a number of positions in the Ontario Legislature including minister of colleges and universities, minister of skills development,  minister of labour, minister of consumer and commercial relations, and minister of finance.
Sorbara believes his past positions with Ontario will assist him as chancellor.
As finance minister, Sorbara presented a report detailing greater resources for post-secondary education.
“I became even more aware of the issues and particularly the funding issues for post-secondary education, both university and college level,” he says.
Sorbara has been able to establish close relationships with the likes of Lorna Marsden, former president and vice-chancellor of York, along with Shourkri, while working on projects such as the extension of the Spadina subway to York.
“That subway is going to transform York University and put it in the center of a very large city,” says Sorbara.
For Sorbara, the anticipation of beginning a new chapter as chancellor is exciting.
“There are a few butterflies that are floating around inside here,” he adds. “It’s a new assignment and I just hope I can help out as much as possible to keep York growing and developing in the way in which it is and has over the past 55 years.”
 
Olivia Chandler
Contributor
 
Image source: Gregory Sorbara