October 5, 2006 Source: :
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/061005-2608.asp New College officially welcomes
new leader Ninth principal
is leading historian, former director of the Centre for the Study of the
United States
Oct 5/06
by Krishan Mehta Professor Rick Halpern was officially installed as the ninth principal of
New College Oct. 5, after taking office July 1 for a five-year term Halpern came to the University of Toronto from the Department of History at
University College London in 1989 as the inaugural Bissell-Heyd Chair of
American Studies. From 2004 to 2006, he served as director of the Centre for
the Study of the United States at the Munk Centre for International Studies. He earned his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and his research
interests focus on race and labour in a number of national and transnational
contexts. Currently he is working on a comparative study of migrant and
racialized labour in the sugar industries of Louisiana and South Africa. His
recent publications include Down on the Killing Floor: Black and White
Workers in Chicago’s Packinghouses, 1904-1954 (1997) and Slavery and
Emancipation (2002). His teaching interests range broadly to include
comparative history, popular culture (especially black music and ethnic food
ways), social protest movements and oral history. During his installation address, Halpern reflected on New College’s unique
and unwavering commitment to social justice and equity. He highlighted that
the college’s area study programs -- South Asian, African and Caribbean
studies -- as well as equity studies and the Women and Gender Studies
Institute offer "a vital diversity to the university curriculum." He also noted that one of his top priorities during his tenure as principal
will be to make New College a key figure in further building a sense of
community on campus. "One of the more important functions of our college system is to provide a
human scale experience for our students -- to counter facelessness with a
personal touch, to antidote anonymity with individual recognition and to
replace cold bureaucracy with a caring and nurturing institutionalism," he
told the gathering. "We will continue to enhance our programs, services and
activities to ensure that we always connect with our students, faculty,
staff, alumni and community partners in creative and meaningful ways." Halpern also emphasized how important it will be to maintain a strong
connection between the college and the rest of the university. "Only a supportive and resource rich environment can ensure the kind of
bold, persistent experimentation that will keep New College on the cusp of
achieving the kind of excellence in education for which it has strived since
its founding." President David Naylor, who participated in the installation, seconded these
goals, saying, "In many ways, New College exemplifies the model academic
community -- placing a premium on outreach, mentorship and the cultivation
of civically engaged, critical thinkers. Rick, you have chosen to be the
leader of a very special place at the University of Toronto and I am
confident that you will make this community proud."
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