Brandon University Chancellor Michael Decter looks forward to challenge and opportunity of second term

BRANDON — Brandon University’s Chancellor begins his second term today. Michael Decter, a Harvard-educated financier, senior public-sector manager and national expert in health systems, was first appointed Chancellor in 2013. His new term will run until October 31, 2020.

“I’m delighted! It’s a terrific honour to be Chancellor. I’m genuinely flattered to be asked and very pleased to do it,” Decter said. “It is remarkable how transformative Brandon University can be, and it’s always a thrill every year at Convocation to see a whole graduating class of incredible young people. There is such warmth and enthusiasm in the room.”

Decter’s second term was approved by the Senate earlier this year.

“Michael has been a valuable and inspiring Chancellor, providing guidance and vision on the Board of Governors as well as wisdom and advice for convocating students each year,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Robinson. “He also vigorously represents Brandon University on the national stage, contributing his influential expertise to advance BU in all ways.”

During his first term as Chancellor, Decter said that his highlights have been marked by togetherness and goodwill, particularly at Convocation, at which the Chancellor presides. Looking to the future, he cited Brandon University’s downtown development as an important challenge.

“The University’s been working very hard, and I will be delighted if over the next three years we saw some substantive progress there,” he said.

“There are a lot of ties between Brandon University and the community, and there is a goodwill that exists in BU.”

Another highlight was his invitation from then-Governor General David Johnston to attend Rideau Hall with other University chancellors from across Canada.

Although Decter goes fly-fishing with friends who are the chancellors of the University of Toronto and McGill University, this was a rare opportunity for so many chancellors to meet as a group.

“He implored us to do more to raise our profile in the world. He said the reason Canadians don’t win more international recognition is often simply that we don’t apply, and he urged us to put our best foot forward,” Decter said of the Governor General’s message. “That is a goal and a challenge that I am proud to continue to bring forward, and I know it is a challenge that Brandon University can meet.”

As Chancellor, Decter serves as the titular head of the university, is a member of the Board of Governors and Senate, and officially confers all degrees at Convocation.

“I very much look forward to continuing to work with Michael on the Board of Governors, where he has been a leader and a champion of Brandon University’s mission and values,” said Board Chair Derrick Stewart. “Brandon University has ambitious plans for the next few years, and his insight will be deeply valued.”

Decter is President and CEO of the investment company LDIC Inc., author of eight books and popular lecturer with the National Speakers Bureau. A former Deputy Minister of Health for Ontario and Cabinet Secretary in the Government of Manitoba, Decter was the founding Chair of the Health Council of Canada and continues to serve with numerous non-profit health care organizations.

Decter, a native Manitoban and recipient of the Order of Canada, served on the Brandon University Foundation and as Chair of the Stanley Knowles Distinguished Professorship Endowment Campaign in the 1980s. He now resides in Ontario.

“I proudly wear my BU blue-and-gold scarf in Toronto, and I am a very proud advocate for the University. When people ask me about it, they hear more than they perhaps expected,” Decter said. “I look forward to the challenge of another term, and the evolution of the University, which has its best days ahead of it — and there were some very good days in the past as well. Go Bobcats, go!”

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