Dr. H. Ian Macdonald

Economist, higher education leader and Rhodes Scholar Ian Macdonald has had a distinguished career in both academia and government. He served as a professor of economics at U of T and dean of men at University College, before entering the public service in the Government of Ontario as chief economist and assuming a number of increasingly important, ministerial  positions in economics and intergovernmental affairs.

In 1974, he was named president of York University, a position he held with distinction for more than 10 years. Macdonald is now President Emeritus of York University, as well as a professor of public policy and economics, and director of the Master of Public Administration program.

In the community, Macdonald has served several Canadian and international companies and institutions, including: the AGF Companies; McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.; the Canadian Rhodes Scholars Foundation; the Council of the Royal Commonwealth Society; the International Association of Universities; the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education; the Canadian Hockey Association; and the Empire Club of Canada, among many others.

During his career, Macdonald has received many honours, including the Governor General's Medal; the Centennial Medal; the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal; Officer of the Order of Canada; Citation of Merit, the Court of Canadian Citizenship; the Medal of the Dominican Republic; the Canada 125 Medal; the Award of Merit of the Canadian Bureau for International Education; Honorary Life Member, the Canadian Olympic Association; the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal; and the Vanier Medal, plus many other accolades.

In 2005, he was honoured by the Government of Ontario with the creation of the H. Ian Macdonald Visiting Economist position in the Ministry of Finance and by York University with the George Tatham Award in recognition of a lifetime of teaching excellence.