President
![Alan Shepard](https://cdn.statically.io/img/president.uwo.ca/../img/president/alan-shepard-thumb-2023.jpg)
President's Biography
Dr. Alan Shepard is Western’s eleventh President & Vice-Chancellor. A proponent of organic transformational change within public universities, Shepard has led teams creating several entrepreneurially focused incubators, university-to-industry partnerships, and other efforts to broaden the scope of undergraduate and graduate opportunities. Inspired by his own experience as a first-generation student,he is committed to an inclusive model of education and (read more)
![Calendar](https://cdn.statically.io/img/president.uwo.ca/../img/president/calendar.jpg)
Speaking Requests
To request President Shepard to speak at your event, please first contact Kim Catalano at 519-661-2111 ext. 86567 or email kimberly.catalano@uwo.ca to determine if the President is available on the date of your event. Once the President's attendance at your event has been confirmed please complete and submit the online form.
![Org chart thumbnail](https://cdn.statically.io/img/president.uwo.ca/../img/president/orgchart.jpg)
Organizational Chart
Western University, home to more than 30,000 students, employs 1408 full-time faculty and 2461 full-time staff. The Board of Governors is responsible for the overall management of the University, including financial matters, and the Senate is responsible for the academic policy of the University.
![President name plate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/president.uwo.ca/../img/president/president-name-plate.jpg)
Presidents Emeriti
Since its founding in 1878, Western University has had 10 Presidents & Vice-Chancellors, the first being Nathaniel Chamney James (1908-1914). Prior to 1908, the Principals of Western’s founding college, Huron College (now Huron University College) acted as University President. Today, Presidents are appointed for five-year renewable terms.
![Bishop Isaac Hellmuth](https://cdn.statically.io/img/president.uwo.ca/../img/president/i_hellmuth.jpg)
Western's Founder
It is the rare soul in any age that can look to the future and see potential; what can be, rather than the problems, trials and obstacles that stand in the way of a great idea. The Right Reverend Isaac Hellmuth, second Bishop of the Diocese of Huron, was such a man. A thoroughgoing evangelical Anglican Christian unwilling to compromise his religious principles, Hellmuth understood the Church's duty to education and the development of the whole person.