"For over a quarter of a century I have worked at Dalhousie University which has given me the infrastructure to conduct my research, to hone my teaching skills and to supervise some of the f inest honours, graduate and postdoctoral scholars anywhere. Being a creature of duty, I have served the University faithfully in a variety of capacities. The nature of the responsibilities I have assumed has given me a special appreciation of the role that graduate students and their education plays in making a university excellent - as I believe we are. Now I have been nominated to serve as the Dean of FGS. Whereas, in other circumstances, my recent scientific successes might have provided a reason t o decline, my perception of the importance of the opportunities and challenges that presently confront the faculty urges me to give the position serious consideration.

The job description of the Dean of FGS is a daunting one and the qualities and experiences sought are unlikely to be met by any single individual. Whereas I feel that I have many of the qualities and experiences needed to succeed ( and wouldn't be offering if I didn't feel this way) I'm sure that my success would depend on excellent and devoted staff, one or two expert and dedicated Associate Deans, and frequent consultation with advisers from FGS's diverse constituencies."