The phrase "former rector" refers to a person who used to hold the position of a rector but no longer does. A rector is someone who is in charge or leads a certain organization or institution, such as a university or church. Full definition
In a highly explosive commentary, former Rector of GIMPA, Professor Stephen Adei says eight out of 10 politicians are nothing more than «glorified thieves». (ghanapoliticsonline.com)
My husband is 6» 1 but his shower ceiling is about 5» 10» so the bathroom was put in without much thought for anyone but the very diminutive former rector. (theinspiredroom.net)
However, two of those on our list are still being held: Dr. Mehmet Haberal, the rector of Baskent University in Ankara, who pioneered transplant surgery in Turkey, and Dr. Fatih Hilmioglu, a gastroenterologist, former rector of Inonu University in Malatya. (concernedscientists.org)