The President Emeritus
John McLaughlin is a Professor of Engineering and President Emeritus of the University of New Brunswick.
During Dr. McLaughlin's term as President between 2002 and 2009, UNB undertook the largest fund raising campaign in the history of Atlantic Canada, had one of the largest increases in research funding of any comprehensive university in the country (coupled with an outstanding record of commercialization), dramatically strengthened its standing in the national academic rankings, made the largest capital investments in its more than two century history (including development of the UNB woodlot and construction of the Currie Center and the University Commons in Saint John), and significantly enhanced the quality of its academic programs and student experience.
Under his leadership UNB also played a key role in advancing a new culture for innovation and creativity in the province (through the 21 Inc Young Leaders program, the formation of the NB Business Council, the creation of the Wallace McCain Leadership Institute and a series of related initiatives).
Professionally, Dr. McLaughlin has an academic background in engineering and institutional economics.
He developed the multi-purpose cadastre and spatial data infrastructure concepts, and played a key role in advancing the land administration field. As well, he has been a leader in building the North American geomatics industry and has worked extensively internationally, in more than 40 countries, with the World Bank, the United Nations and several other international agencies and companies.
Prof. McLaughlin has authored or co-authored more than two hundred publications, including three books published by Oxford University Press and a series of monographs published by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He has supervised or co-supervised nearly one hundred graduate students and has held a series of international faculty appointments. He is currently a fellow with the Urban and Community Studies Institute at UNBSJ and chairs the Management Board of the Canadian Rivers Institute.
Dr. McLaughlin has chaired or been a member of many boards, including the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Service New Brunswick, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, Canadian Space Agency, Atlantic Institute on Aging, Council of Canadian Academies, and the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. He has also served on the boards of several private companies. Dr. McLaughlin recently chaired the Premier’s Panel on Seniors; their report Living Healthy, Aging Well was tabled in the Legislature in December 2012.
Prof. McLaughlin was a co-founder of two companies, one an American based technology consultancy and the other a Peruvian international development company. He is a Fellow of the Instituto Libertad Y Democracia in Peru and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). Dr. McLaughlin has led a number of regional, national and international organizations, including the Canadian Institute of Geomatics and the CAE.
Dr. McLaughlin has received several awards, including the Champlain Medal, recognition as one of Atlantic Canada's top CEO's by Atlantic Business Magazine, the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Administration and both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. He is a recipient of both the Order of Canada and the Order of New Brunswick.
John McLaughlin and his wife Maggie have three children and three grandchildren.
