Dedicated Sudbury volunteer Bela Ravi has been selected as Huntington University’s new chancellor as the educational institution celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Ravi was born in Patiala, India and immigrated to Canada with her family in 1973. She is married with three daughters, and has been a member of the Greater Sudbury community for 25 years, making outstanding contributions to education, the arts, health and senior care, homelessness, multiculturalism and citizenship, and more.
At present, Ravi serves as president of the Sudbury Multicultural & Folk Arts Association, and sits as a board member for such organizations as the YMCA Northeastern Ontario-Fund Development Committee, the Local Immigration Partnership, and the India-Canada Association. She is also a member of the City of Greater Sudbury’s Senior Advisory Panel. Over the years she has dedicated much of her time and talent, in leadership roles, and is past president of both the India-Canada Association and Sudbury Prarthana Samaj, past co-chair of the Institute of Canadian Citizenship, past fundraising committee member for Elgin Street Mission, and a past board member of the Ontario Arts Council.
She has involved herself in many educational leadership roles over the years, including as a former member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors, and as a supporter of the Rainbow Board through her role on the MacLeod Public School Parent Council and in raising funds to establish the Joan Mantle Music Trust.
For her dedicated community service, Ravi has been recognized with numerous accolades and honours including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Hall of Fame Community Builders Award of Excellence, Paul Harris Fellowship, just to name a few.
Ravi was officially installed as Huntington’s chancellor at a private ceremony Nov. 23.
“I am extremely proud and honoured to be named Chancellor of Huntington University during this special year,” she said.
“Huntington University has been around for 60 years, and holds an impressive legacy of academic excellence, civic leadership and community involvement; all are values that I am passionate about, and as an avid volunteer also dedicate my time to.”
Ravi also feels she is uniquely suited for the position, given her role as a former member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors.
“I fully understand and honour the historic and founding role Huntington University holds as a member of the Laurentian Federation,” she said.
“When it was established 60 years ago the cooperation of our local universities, including Thorneloe University, University of Sudbury and Laurentian University, to create the Laurentian Federation was an educational model unique to the north, and it remains so today.
“Huntington University, as an independent and equal partner, embraces the collaborative environment this creates, and understands how a federated model benefits students, as well as the community as a whole. I very much look forward to helping students of higher learning succeed, and promoting civic leadership, through Huntington University.”
“Huntington University will be greatly served by Chancellor Bela Ravi, who is one of Greater Sudbury’s most influential and highly respected community leaders,” said Mary-Liz Warwick, chair of the Huntington University Board of Regents, in a press release.
“For decades Mrs. Bela Ravi’s name has been synonymous with philanthropy, community service, leadership, and education, which has earned her many distinguished accolades and awards at the local and national levels,” said Huntington president Kevin McCormick.
“She embodies the core values of our institution and is an exemplary role model for us all.”
