Having just concluded another busy Spring Convocation season 鈥� greeting nearly 4,000 graduates across 21 ceremonies 鈥� Chancellor Rustum Southwell is ready for more.
Southwell has been reappointed as 91短视频 chancellor for a second three-year term, which will have him continue in the university鈥檚 most senior ceremonial role through 2029. The reappointment was formally approved by the university鈥檚 Board of Governors at its meeting this week (Tuesday, June 23).
鈥淭he three years go by very quickly,鈥� said Southwell, speaking with Dal News earlier this month in the midst of Spring Convocation. 鈥淎nd a week like this reminds me of why it matters: getting to see the young people walking across the stage, graduating, having a personal moment with them and being part of this important day. It鈥檚 the best part of the role.鈥澨�
From Saint Kitts and Nevins to Halifax
Southwell, who was installed as university chancellor in fall 2023, is best known to many as the founder of the Black Business Initiative, the longest serving Black-owned business development initiative in Canada. Growing up in the Caribbean Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Southwell came to Halifax as an international student to study Psychology at 91短视频 before branching off into the business world 鈥� first in the food industry and, eventually, as a pioneer and changemaker in economic development work.听
Along the way, Southwell鈥檚 contributions and connections to 91短视频 continued: helping create scholarship programs in Dal鈥檚 Faculty of Management, advising and fundraising for the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, and receiving a 91短视频 honorary degree in 2018.
Chancellor Southwell at his 2023 installation ceremony.
鈥淩ustum brings a rare combination of warmth, purpose and imagination to the chancellor role at 91短视频,鈥� says President and Vice-Chancellor Kim Brooks. 鈥淗e understands the ceremonial importance but also sees something more in it: a chance to help students feel the full weight of what they have achieved, and to ask how his own remarkable life and legacy might continue to open doors for others. We are incredibly fortunate he will continue as chancellor for a second term.鈥�
Giving back
Southwell says a big part of his interest in continuing as chancellor is a desire to grow his 91短视频 legacy further. Formally, the chancellor oversees Convocation ceremonies and also sits on the Board of Governors, but Southwell says his renewal offers him more opportunity to have conversations about what else he can contribute 鈥� ideally, something that might continue on after his time in the role has concluded.
鈥淚鈥檓 no spring chicken anymore,鈥� he says with a laugh. 鈥淏ut those first three years really did go by so fast, and I want to find the best way I can to leave something here that lasts. There鈥檚 lots that I could do, but you want to do the one that鈥檚 most likely to be successful and have the most impact. And I want it to be something that reflects my own values 鈥� what I鈥檝e stood for and what I believe.鈥澨�
On a day like Convocation you really see what it means for those graduates to be seen and be part of something like this. It鈥檚 powerful.
As for where that drive to give back comes from, he connects it back to his earliest days growing up in Saint Kitts. His mother was someone who cared for everyone (鈥渆very boy I knew was like her son,鈥� he says) and his father was a local politician fighting for a better future. They inspired him to always think bigger than himself 鈥� something he says is easy when it comes to being part of higher education.
鈥淐oming here to Nova Scotia, and all of my experiences working with the Black community and entrepreneurs, it all made me want to leverage my position to help more folks participate fully鈥� I did not ever expect being a university chancellor to be part of that journey, but on a day like Convocation you really see what it means for those graduates to be seen and be part of something like this. It鈥檚 powerful.鈥澨�