Chair

Dr. John Hamm is the current Chair of the King's Board of Governors. He was the 25th Premier of Nova Scotia, serving from August 16, 1999 to February 24, 2006.

Dr. Hamm graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from King's in 1958. He went on to Dalhousie Medical School and graduated in 1963. He then returned to his home community of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and worked as a doctor there for 30 years. During this period, he was elected President of the Nova Scotia Medical Society.

He entered politics in 1993 when he was elected to represent the Pictou Centre riding n the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. In 1995, he was elected leader of the Nova Scotia Conservative Party. His party won the Nova Scotia provincial general election in 1999, and Dr. Hamm was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia in August of that year.

Notable moments during Dr. Hamm's career as Premier include his strong advocacy for education and health care, his work in negotiating the Atlantic Accord and balancing provincial finances, and negotiating the controversial province-wide Sunday shopping issue.

Dr. Hamm announced he would retire from the position of Premier in September of 2005, and passed the role to his successor, Rodney MacDonald, on February 24, 2006.

He was named an Officer in the Order of Canada for his lifelong leadership in the province of Nova Scotia and in his community.  In addition to his duties as Chair of the Board of Governors, he serves as Chairperson of Assisted Human Reproduction Canada. He remains active in his home community of Stellarton and is involved in a number of causes. He is currently leading the campaign for a wellness centre in Pictou County.

Dr. Hamm is pleased to embark on the role of Chair for another year. "I believe in the importance of supporting the liberal arts - a field of study for which King's is renowned," he says. "Students who graduate from King's are prepared for further work in all fields, and most graduates can trace later successes back to the formative learning experiences they enjoyed at the College. I count myself among them, and I am proud to maintain a lasting administrative connection to this valuable institution."