Acadia appoints new VP Academic

Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University, announced Feb. 28 that Dr. Tom Herman has been appointed the University’s Vice-President Academic.

Herman has been a faculty member in Acadia’s Biology department since 1978 and was most recently Acting Vice-President Academic.

“Dr. Herman is a well-respected academic, active researcher and a teacher who is universally admired by his students,” said Gottlieb. “Dr. Herman has earned the respect of the entire campus community for his work during the past 30 years in virtually every aspect of academic endeavour. But perhaps more importantly for all of us at Acadia, he has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the success of his students through his support for their research and the interest he takes in their careers.”

Herman received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Environmental Studies from Antioch College in 1972. He then moved to the Zoology Department at University of Alberta, earning his Master of Science in 1975 and his Ph.D. in 1979. He arrived at Acadia as a Sessional Lecturer in 1978 and was appointed an Assistant Professor in 1980.

In addition to an extensive list of appointments to Acadia committees, both past and present, Herman is a Past President of the Canadian Society of Zoologists, President of the Science and Management of Protected Areas Association, and Vice-Chair of the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute. He sits on several national and regional advisory committees on endangered biodiversity, as well as the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Environmental Science Network and the Offshore Energy Environmental Research Association.

In Nova Scotia, he is perhaps best known for his work in and around Kejimkujik National Park on recovery efforts for the endangered Blanding’s Turtle. Herman, his colleagues, students and community volunteers have worked to preserve and restore the habitat of this unique species through a campaign of public education and stewardship. Throughout his career, Herman has actively promoted environmental awareness, citizen science, and community engagement.

“I am honoured by this appointment and look forward to tackling the exciting challenges facing Acadia,” said Herman. “We have a tremendous combination of faculty, staff, and students who are rightfully recognized by several measures as among the best in Canada. We offer all our students a rare learning and living environment that prepares them for whatever path they choose following their first university degree. I am determined to ensure that Acadia maintains its reputation for quality and innovation.”

Herman’s appointment is effective March 1, 2008 and is for a six-year term.