William C. Leggett

William C. Leggett
CM FRSC[1]
William C. Leggett in 2006
17th Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University
In office
August 1, 1994[2][3] – 30 June 2004[4]
Preceded byDavid Chadwick Smith[2][5]
Succeeded byKaren R. Hitchcock[6]
Personal details
Born
William Claude Leggett[7]

1939[2]
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada[2]
SpouseClaire Leggett[8]
ChildrenDavid Scott and John William[2]
Residence(s)Kingston, Ontario[1]
EducationWaterloo University College (now Wilfrid Laurier University) (BA)
University of Waterloo (MA)
McGill University (PhD)[2]
NicknameBill Leggett
William C. Leggett
Scientific career
FieldsPopulation biology
InstitutionsEssex Marine Laboratory
McGill University
Queen's University
ThesisStudies on the reproductive biology of the American shad. (Alosa Sapidissema, Wilson.) A comparison of populations from four rivers of the Atlantic seaboard (1969)

William C. Leggett CM FRSC (born 1939) is a Canadian population biologist and university administrator who served as the 17th Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University, Kingston in Canada, from 1994 to 2004, only the second scientist to hold the Principalship.[7] He was previously the Vice Principal (Academic) of McGill University.[2][9][self-published source]

Early life and education

Leggett was born in 1939 in Orangeville, Ontario, where his father owned and ran an automobile repair shop and bowling alley, and was raised in nearby Mono Mills (part of Caledon, Ontario).[10] He went to a one-room school for elementary school,[10] and received his high school education at Orangeville District Secondary School.[11] His interest in athletics led him to Waterloo University College (now Wilfrid Laurier University)[12] in 1958, wishing to become a physical education teacher.[9][10] In his final year, he took an elective course in biology, which, thanks to the instructor Geoffrey Power, piqued his interest in the subject.[10] After obtaining his BA from Waterloo University College in 1962, Leggett went to the University of Waterloo for a MSc despite his lack of background in science, thanks to Power's persuasion of Waterloo's Dean of Graduate Studies. Leggett focused on fish ecology and graduated in 1965, and at Power's advice, began his PhD at McGill University in zoology, completing in 1969.[2][10]

Career

Following his PhD, Leggett spent a year at the Essex Marine Laboratory in Essex, Connecticut, before returning to McGill as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology in 1970.[10][13] He eventually became a full professor in 1979, the Chair of the Department of Biology in 1981, the Dean of Science in 1986, and lastly the Vice-Principal of Academics in 1991.[7]

Principalship at Queen's University

In October 1993, Queen's University announced the appointment of Leggett as the 17th Principal and Vice-Chancellor, succeeding David Chadwick Smith.[3] He was the second scientist to hold this position since Robert Charles Wallace, who was Principal and Vice-Chancellor between 1936 and 1951.[2][14] He took the role on August 1, 1994.[2] Leggett was re-appointed in 1998 for a second 5-year term, starting on September 1, 1999.[15][16]

Leggett's tenure at Queen's saw the completion of a number of new buildings. Academic buildings such as Chernoff Hall (for the Department of Chemistry)[17][18] and Goodes Hall (for Queen's School of Business,[19][20] now known as Smith School of Business)[21] opened in 2002, followed by Beamish-Munro Hall (for the Faculty of Engineering Integrated Learning Centre) in 2005.[7][22][23] Student residences Watts Hall (originally 23 Albert Street) and Leggett Hall (originally 194 Stuart Street) also opened in 2003, and was respectively renamed in the honor of former Principal and Vice-Chancellor Ronald Lampman Watts and Leggett himself.[7][23][24] The 2 buildings were the first student residences to open in 25 years.[23] He also oversaw the opening of the expanded Agnes Etherington Art Centre building in 2000,[25][26][27] the opening of the Cancer Research Institute Complex[28] and the new Leonard Hall cafeteria in 2003,[29] and the renovation of Gordon Hall (the old building for the Department of Chemistry),[30][31] including the demolition of the Frost Wing,[32][33][34] throughout his second term of Principalship.

In September 2002, Leggett announced his retirement after his second term.[35] He is currently a professor emeritus and Principal Emeritus of Queen's University.[36]

Controversy

Leggett's advocacy for the deregulation of tuition fee attracted considerable controversy.[37] Historically, under provincial legislation, Ontario universities were only allowed to increase tuition to a maximum of 2% annually.[38] In 1998, the Government of Ontario led by Premier Mike Harris removed this cap on, or deregulated, the tuition for all professional and graduate degrees in Ontario universities,[39][40] prompting frustration and protests from medical and law students, including at Queen's.[41][42][43] Then next year, the tuition for commerce and engineering programs was also deregulated,[44] and Leggett proposed that the tuition for Arts and Science subjects should be deregulated as well.[45] In response, the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society, the students' union for the Queen's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, held a referendum where over 90% Arts and Sciences students rejected tuition deregulation.[46][47] Leggett, however, continued to advocate for deregulation, outlining his idea in the Pathfinder Proposal submitted to the Ontario government in 2002,[48][49] and sending representatives to meet with Harris.[50] On January 14, in protest of Leggett's decision, Queen's students occupied his office until January 18, when the Ontario government rejected Queen's proposal.[51][52][53][54] Leggett was unhappy with the province's decision,[55] and announced significant reduction to Queen's budget and that the replacement of teaching staff would be limited to loss by retirement.[56] The issue of tuition deregulation would continue into the tenure of Leggett's successor Karen R. Hitchcock.[57]

Honors and awards

Personal life

Leggett married Claire Holman in 1964.[10] They have 2 sons.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Emeritus Faculty". Queens's University Biology Department. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "McGill biologist is named as new Queen's Principal" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 68, no. 1. Kingston, Ontario. 1994. p. 5. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Martland, Brock (October 15, 1993). "Leggett joins Queen's" (PDF). The Queen's Journal. Vol. 121, no. 13. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  4. ^ Clark, Attlee (May 11, 2004). "Hitchcock named 18th Principal". The Queen's Journal. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Martland, Brock (October 15, 1993). "New principal announced" (PDF). The Queen's Journal. Vol. 121, no. 13. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Russell, Celia; Kershaw, Anne (May 17, 2004). "The right fit for Queen's" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXV, no. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Leggett, William Claude (b. 1939)". Queen's University. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "An international perspective" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 69, no. 3. Kingston, Ontario. 1995. p. 2. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "William Leggett". Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "A Conversation with Dr. William C. Leggett" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 68, no. 4. Kingston, Ontario. 1994. p. 11. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "Wall of Fame". Orangeville District Secondary School. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  12. ^ "News release : The distinction between Waterloo University College and the University of Waterloo". Wilfrid Laurier University. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  13. ^ "Moments to remember". McGill University. May 16, 2001. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  14. ^ McLeod, Susanna (July 29, 2020). "Principal merged geology, faith, and administration". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  15. ^ "Principal Leggett reappointed" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 72, no. 3. Kingston, Ontario. 1998. p. 4. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "Five more years" (PDF). The Queen's Journal. Vol. 125, no. 39. March 27, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  17. ^ "Chemistry Council promises positive reaction" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 75, no. 1. Kingston, Ontario. 2001. p. 19. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
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  20. ^ Caulfield, Pat (May 6, 2002). "A busy year for building" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXIII, no. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  21. ^ "Queen's University names the Stephen J. R. Smith School of Business in recognition of historic $50-million gift" (Press release). Kingston, Ontario: Queen's University. October 1, 2015. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  22. ^ Langmuir, Kay (May 3, 2004). "No more lecture theatres" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXV, no. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c "Where yesterday meets today and tomorrow" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 78, no. 3. Kingston, Ontario. 2004. p. 21. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  24. ^ Russell, Celia. "Board honours three principals, past and present" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXV, no. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  25. ^ "Chronology - 2000". Agnes Etherington Art Centre. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
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  27. ^ Dorrance, Nancy (May 1, 2000). "She's back! Expanded Agnes celebrates grand re-opening this weekend" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXI, no. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  28. ^ Easton, Megan (February 10, 2003). "Cancer researchers move under one roof" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXIV, no. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  29. ^ Langmuir, Kay (September 8, 2003). "Smooth sailing on the cohort wave" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXIV, no. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022. ... the new Leonard cafeteria [...] will not open until about mid-September ...
  30. ^ "Gordon Hall". Queen's University. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  31. ^ Russell, Celia (February 25, 2002). "Renovations spice up university streetscape" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXIII, no. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  32. ^ "Frost Wing's Final Day" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXIV, no. 19. November 17, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  33. ^ "Gordon Hall Renovations Underway" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 78, no. 3. Kingston, Ontario. 2004. p. 10. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  34. ^ Woodhall, Tom (October 23, 2007). "Queen's: To stay or not to stay". The Queen's Journal. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  35. ^ "Senate Nominating Committee Seeks Input" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXIII, no. 15. September 23, 2002. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  36. ^ "Queen's University marks 175 years with special Senate meeting" (Press release). Kingston, Ontario: Queen's University. March 3, 2017. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022. ... Principal Emeritus William Leggett ...
  37. ^ Beaudette, Mary Anne (November 6, 2000). "Students, principal debate deregulation" (PDF). Queen's Gazette. Vol. XXXI, no. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  38. ^ McKarney, Leslie (February 15, 2002). "The Bottom Line: Ontario Universities Need More Money". Science. doi:10.1126/article.65915 (inactive November 1, 2024). Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  39. ^ "Ontario allows heads to set fees". Times Higher Education. January 30, 1998. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
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  48. ^ "The Price of Quality" (PDF). Queen's Alumni Review. Vol. 76, no. 1. Kingston, Ontario. 2002. p. 10. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  49. ^ Bishop, Grant (February 16, 2007). "The best AMS president we never had". The Queen's Journal. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022. ... in 2002 when the Pathfinder Proposal, then-Principal Bill Leggett's framework for tuition deregulation, was put to Queen's Park ...
  50. ^ "Queen's University Acts to Deregulate Undergraduate Tuition". CAUT Bulletin. Vol. 49, no. 1. January 2002. p. A5. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
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  55. ^ Leggett, William C. (September 29, 2003). "The politics of tuition". Toronto Star. p. A21.
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  59. ^ "F. E. J. Fry Medal". Canadian Society of Zoologists. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  60. ^ "EXCELLENCE IN FISHERIES EDUCATION AWARD". American Fisheries Society. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  61. ^ "The Oscar E. Sette Award for Outstanding Marine Fishery Biologist". Marine Fisheries Section, American Fisheries Society. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
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  64. ^ Hales, Rosie (August 28, 2014). "William Leggett receives prestigious lifetime achievement award". Queen's Gazette. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  65. ^ "Bill Leggett Receives Ahlstrom Award" (PDF). Stages. Vol. 35, no. 3. Kingston, Ontario: Early Life History Section, American Fisheries Society. 2014. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
Academic offices
Preceded by Principal of Queen's University
1994–2004 		Succeeded by