# David Strangway

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Canadian geologist (1934–2016)

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David Strangway Strangway at the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Science and Technology conference in 2011 1st President of Quest University Canada Preceded by Position established Succeeded by David J. Helfand 11th President of the University of Toronto In office 1983–1984 Chancellor George Ignatieff Preceded by James Milton Ham Succeeded by George Connell President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia In office 1985–1997 Preceded by Robert H. T. Smith Succeeded by Martha Piper Personal details Born David William Strangway (1934-06-07)7 June 1934 Simcoe, Ontario Died 13 December 2016(2016-12-13) (aged 82) Alma mater University of Toronto Profession Academic, College administrator

Strangway in January 2016

**David William Strangway**, [OC](/source/Order_of_Canada) [FRSC](/source/Fellow_of_the_Royal_Society_of_Canada) (7 June 1934 – 13 December 2016) was a [Canadian](/source/Canadians) [geophysicist](/source/Geophysicist) and university administrator. Strangway was the founder, first President and first Chancellor of [Quest University Canada](/source/Quest_University_Canada), a private non-profit liberal arts and sciences university in [Squamish, British Columbia](/source/Squamish%2C_British_Columbia) which opened in September 2007. He was President Emeritus of the [University of Toronto](/source/University_of_Toronto) and the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia).

## Early life and education

Strangway was born in 1934 in [Simcoe, Ontario](/source/Simcoe%2C_Ontario).[1] He studied at the [University of Toronto](/source/University_of_Toronto), earning a [B.A.](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in Physics and Geology in 1956, an [M.A.](/source/Master_of_Arts) in physics and a [Ph.D](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy) in physics in 1960.

## Career

Strangway began his teaching career as an Assistant Professor of Geology at the [University of Colorado](/source/University_of_Colorado) between 1961-64. In 1965, he joined [M.I.T](/source/M.I.T) for three years as both an Assistant Professor of Geophysics and Researcher. In 1970, he joined [NASA](/source/NASA) as the Chief of the Geophysics Branch and was responsible for the geophysical aspects of the [Apollo missions](/source/Project_Apollo). In 1972, he was awarded the [NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal](/source/NASA_Exceptional_Scientific_Achievement_Medal) for his scientific contribution to NASA.[2] As Chief of NASA's Geophysics Branch, David Strangway designed lunar experiments for Apollo astronauts and also was involved in the examination of returned [Moon rocks](/source/Moon_rocks) that contributed to the further knowledge of the Solar System. Strangway is the author or co-author of more than 165 research papers, including results of lunar sample studies and experiments. Strangway's research focused extensively on magnetic studies and electromagnetic sounding, both terrestrially for exploration and mapping and in lunar mapping and exploration. Since 1971 he has served on a great number of scientific and academic committees on behalf of governmental or private sector organizations. In 1973 he served as the director of the Lunar Science Institute (later renamed the [Lunar and Planetary Institute](/source/Lunar_and_Planetary_Institute) in 1977).

He was a vice-president and [provost](/source/Provost_(education)) of the University of Toronto and the chairman of its Geology Department from 1973 to 1983. Upon the retirement of [James Ham](/source/James_Milton_Ham) in 1983, Strangway was appointed the acting president of the University of Toronto. He was elevated to become the University's eleventh President after the designated successor, [Donald Forster](/source/Donald_Forster), suddenly died of a [heart attack](/source/Myocardial_infarction) in August of that year.[3]

From 1985 to 1997, he was the tenth President of the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia). He provided the direction and impetus that enabled the large, publicly funded University of British Columbia to achieve world-class status during his 12 years as President. This was enhanced by leading what was at the time, Canada's largest fund-raising campaign and by creating UBC Real Estate Corp. to develop market housing.

From 1998 to 2004, Strangway was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the [Canada Foundation for Innovation](/source/Canada_Foundation_for_Innovation), an independent corporation created by the [Government of Canada](/source/Government_of_Canada) to fund research infrastructure. This autonomous, Ottawa-based organization was founded in 1997 to fund and revitalize national research infrastructure programs that would enable Canadian Universities, Colleges and Research Hospitals to carry out across-the-board scientific and technological projects of benefit to all Canadians. Of CFI's capital investment budget of $3.65 billion, more than $2.7 billion was invested during Strangway's six-year tenure – effectively stemming the loss of Canadian researchers to other countries. It was during this time that he played a key role in helping the Canadian government to create the Canada Research Chairs. This program, funded at the level of $300m a year, has created 2000 new positions in Canadian Universities. Strangway retired from CFI 31 March 2004 in order to devote his full attention to Quest University Canada during the important construction and start-up phases of its development.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 1997, he was appointed by Canadian Prime Minister [Jean Chretien](/source/Jean_Chretien) to join with William Ruckelshaus, an appointee of the President of the U.S., to study the [Pacific Salmon controversy](/source/Pacific_Salmon_War) between the two countries. Their work and recommendations formed the basis for negotiation of a new agreement.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Death

He died on 13 December 2016.[4]

## Membership of committees

- Premier's Advisory Council on Science and Technology

- International Institute os Sustainable Development Founding Board Member

- Chairman of the Ontario Geoscience Research Fund

- Chairman of the University Research Incentive Fund Ontario

- Member of the Lunar Science Research Plan

- Member of the Lunar Science and Analysis Planning Team (Awarded samples to investigators and prepared the summary of the results of the first Apollo mission)

- A member of COMPLEX, The National Academy of Science (Committee on Planetary Exploration)

- Chair of the Premier's Council on Environment and Economy

- Member of the American Geophysical Union Development Board

- One of the original members of the steering committee that created the Canada Research Chairs (Major impact on Canadian Universities' competitiveness)

## Honours

- In 1984, Strangway received the [Logan Medal](/source/Logan_Medal) for his geological works. This award is the highest honour the [Geological Association of Canada](/source/Geological_Association_of_Canada) bestows.[5]

- In 1987, he received the [J. Tuzo Wilson Medal](/source/J._Tuzo_Wilson_Medal) from the [Canadian Geophysical Union](/source/Canadian_Geophysical_Union)[6]

- In 1996, he was made an Officer of the [Order of Canada](/source/Order_of_Canada) for being an "internationally respected as an outstanding scientist and senior academic administrator".[7]

- In 2009, he was given the [Maurice Ewing Medal](/source/Maurice_Ewing_Medal), the highest honor of the [Society of Exploration Geophysicists](/source/Society_of_Exploration_Geophysicists).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [*David Strangway: Who's Who in Canada*](https://books.google.com/books?id=TSgkAQAAIAAJ&q=David+Strangway+toronto+born). Vol. 88. International Press Limited. 1997. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780771539640](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780771539640).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [NASA Agency Honor Awards](https://nasapeople.nasa.gov/awards/nasamedals.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["U of T Magazine: The Cast of Presidents"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070218084731/http://www.magazine.utoronto.ca/00summer/presidents.asp). Archived from [the original](http://www.magazine.utoronto.ca/00summer/presidents.asp) on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Former UBC president David Strangway dead at age 82"](https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/former-ubc-president-david-strangway-dead-at-82).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Geological Association of Canada - Medals and Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061002220613/http://www.esd.mun.ca/~gac/MEDALS/medal.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.esd.mun.ca/~gac/MEDALS/medal.html) on 2 October 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["CGU"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120229221939/http://www.cgu-ugc.ca/medal/intro.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.cgu-ugc.ca/medal/intro.html) on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Order of Canada citation](https://web.archive.org/web/1/http://archive.gg.ca/honours/search-recherche/honours-desc.asp?lang=e&TypeID=orc&id=3618) (archived)

## References

- ["Canada Foundation for Innovation biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050914133537/http://www.innovation.ca/innovation2/bio_strangway_pr.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.innovation.ca/innovation2/bio_strangway_pr.html) on 14 September 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2006.

- ["David W. Strangway, OC, PhD: Project Founder and Director of Sea to Sky Foundation, Quest University Canada"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050907235533/http://www.notaries.bc.ca/article.php3?370). Archived from [the original](http://www.notaries.bc.ca/article.php3?370) on 7 September 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2006.

Academic offices Preceded by Office created President of Quest University 2002 - 2007 Succeeded by Thomas Wood Preceded by James Milton Ham President of the University of Toronto 1983–1984 Succeeded by George Connell

v t e Presidents of the University of Toronto Strachan (1827–1848) McCaul† (1848–1880) Wilson† (1880–1892) Loudon† (1892–1906) Falconer (1907–1932) Cody (1932–1945) Smith (1945–1957) Bissell (1958–1971) Sword* (1971–1972) Evans (1972–1978) Ham (1978–1983) Strangway (1983–1984) Connell (1984–1990) Prichard (1990–2000) Birgeneau (2000–2004) Iacobucci* (2004–2005) Goel* (2005) Naylor (2005–2013) Gertler (2013–2025) Woodin (2025–present) † – titled president of University College; * indicates acting or interim president

v t e J. Tuzo Wilson Medal recipients 1978–1992 1978: John Tuzo Wilson 1979: Roy O. Lindseth 1980: Larry W. Morley 1981: George D. Garland 1982: Jack A. Jacobs 1983: D. Ian Gough 1984: Ted Irving 1985: Harold O. Seigel 1986: Mike Rochester 1987: David Strangway 1988: Ernie Kanesewich 1989: Leonard S. Collett 1990: Gordon F. West 1991: Thomas Edvard Krogh 1992: R. Don Russel 1993: Alan E. Beck 1994: Michael J. Berry 1995: Charlotte E. Keen 1993–2007 1996: Petr Vaníček 1997: Chris Beaumount 1998: Ronald M. Clowes 1999: David J. Dunlop 2000: Donald M. Gray 2001: Roy D. Hyndman 2002: Doug E. Smylie 2003: Garry K.C. Clarke 2004: Dick Peltier 2005: Ted Evans 2006: Alan Jones 2007: Herb Dragert 2008: Ming-ko (Hok) Woo 2009: Garth van der Kamp 2010: Nigel Edwards 2011: Fred Cook 2012: Douglas W. Oldenburg 2013: Zoltan Hajnal 2008–present 2014: Philip Marsh 2015: Kelin Wang 2016: Gail Atkinson 2017: John Pomeroy 2018: Gary Jarvis 2019: Patrick Wu 2020: David Eaton 2021: Jim Buttle 2022: Philippe Van Cappellen 2023: No recipient 2024: Spiros Pagiatakis 2025: Masaki Hayashi

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Italy Netherlands Norway Israel Academics CiNii People Trove Other IdRef

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Strangway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Strangway) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Strangway?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.