Leadership one-on-oneSanta Ono

SO: I admire humility because it is an indicator that you are willing to listen and put the needs of others before yourself. The goal of leadership is to serve.

SO: When I was in Chicago, I had the privilege of being able to take part in a skit at The Second City comedy club. I got to take part in some improvisation with them, which was a great experience.

Closer to home, my daughters make me laugh, as well as my dog, Romeo. Romeo is a quirky dog and has become a bit of a celebrity since we moved here. He is six-years-old and I think he may be going through a mid-life crisis of sorts. He hasn’t asked for a red sports car yet!

SO: I am inspired by a diverse group of people. Some are scientists, educational leaders as well as activists trying to do social good. Just recently I met with some individuals who had been instrumental in giving honorary degrees to students who’d had to leave the university during World War II. I am inspired by those who are not motivated by their own self good, but by the good of others.

SO: The first rock concert I ever went to was REO Speedwagon, back when I was around 17-years-old. My second concert was Rush, and my third concert was Elton John. I am a big fan of Elton John’s Your Song. I also love Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon.

SO: I enjoy walking around campus with my wife, Wendy and our dog, Romeo. We try to walk at least once a day.

SO: This campus is one of the most stunning environments in the world, surrounded by the mountains and the ocean. I also believe that UBC has made a real difference to how we teach, with faculty and staff creating new and different approaches to teaching.

SO: When I was at Emory University I didn’t use any social media — I didn’t even know how to text! My students kept texting me and told me to set up a Facebook page.

Then when I became President of the University of Cincinnati, my communications team encouraged me to set up a Twitter feed. I remember it was relatively new and we were working with Hootsuite, which funnily enough is a Vancouver-based company. Since then, I have become a bit of a Twitter addict. Both Wendy and I are on Twitter, and I have to make a conscious choice to leave my phone at home when we eat out as a family. It’s important to be present.

SO: Don’t take yourself too seriously. When I was a graduate student in Montreal, I was very focused. I was fortunate to have a pastor at my Sunday School who reminded me not to take myself too seriously.

SO: A sense of humour and honesty. I value people who put the institution first and work as a team, in the interests of the university as a whole.

SO: It would be to have the power to ease suffering, particularly for those with mental illness. It is estimated that almost half of all students struggle with mental illness at some point in their academic life. I believe my role is to look after the wellbeing of our students.

SO: It feels very special to return to the university where my father taught. My father was almost speechless when I told him I was the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor. Both my father and brother will be returning to UBC for my installation. They will both speak for the first time in the same math department.

SO: I hope people will feel that we, as a team, brought positive change to the institution. I would like UBC to become an even more prominent research powerhouse, with teaching at the centre. I also hope that people will have even greater pride in our university, and that it becomes a sought-after destination for faculty and staff.

On a personal note, I would like to be remembered as someone who cared for people as individuals. Someone who took an interest in each person at UBC as a unique gift to our special community of scholars.