Having just concluded another busy Spring Convocation season — greeting nearly 4,000 graduates across 21 ceremonies — Chancellor Rustum Southwell is ready for more.
Southwell has been reappointed as ±«Óătv chancellor for a second three-year term, which will have him continue in the university’s most senior ceremonial role through 2029. The reappointment was formally approved by the university’s Board of Governors at its meeting this week (Tuesday, June 23).
“The three years go by very quickly,” said Southwell, speaking with Dal News earlier this month in the midst of Spring Convocation. “And 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’s the best part of the role.”Ěý
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 ±«Óătv before branching off into the business world — first in the food industry and, eventually, as a pioneer and changemaker in economic development work.Ěý
Along the way, Southwell’s contributions and connections to ±«Óătv continued: helping create scholarship programs in Dal’s Faculty of Management, advising and fundraising for the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, and receiving a ±«Óătv honorary degree in 2018.
Chancellor Southwell at his 2023 installation ceremony.
“Rustum brings a rare combination of warmth, purpose and imagination to the chancellor role at ±«Óătv,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Kim Brooks. “He 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.”
Giving back
Southwell says a big part of his interest in continuing as chancellor is a desire to grow his ±«Óătv 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 — ideally, something that might continue on after his time in the role has concluded.
“I’m no spring chicken anymore,” he says with a laugh. “But 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’s lots that I could do, but you want to do the one that’s most likely to be successful and have the most impact. And I want it to be something that reflects my own values — what I’ve stood for and what I believe.”ĚýĚý
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’s 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 (“every boy I knew was like her son,” he says) and his father was a local politician fighting for a better future. They inspired him to always think bigger than himself — something he says is easy when it comes to being part of higher education.
“Coming 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… 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’s powerful.”ĚýĚý