inbrief

(April 11, 2002, Gazette)

Research assembly on April 25
Plans are underway to hold a University Assembly on Research on April 25 from 2:30-5 p.m. in the Engineering Lecture Theatre (EN-2006). The assembly is open to all members of the university community and will begin discussion on the development of a University Strategic Research Plan.

“The future of research at Memorial University has been the subject of considerable thought and analysis. A consistent recommendation from these deliberations, including the Strategic Framework, has been the collegial establishment of a University Strategic Research Plan,” said Dr. Christopher Loomis, vice-president (research and international relations). “By promoting strategic directions, a University Strategic Research Plan will help academic units determine the course of their development, assist faculty recruitment and retention, stimulate appropriate research infrastructure and bring people, disciplines and sectors together to enhance the mission of the university. It should also improve our conversations with the national funding councils.”

Further information on the assembly and background statements on the strategic research goals of academic units can be found at www.mun.ca/ciap/planning/assembly.html.

Grenfell introduces business minor
Sir Wilfred Grenfell College is once again broadening its course offerings, this time with the addition of a business minor. Courses will be available in the areas of accounting, marketing, financial management, business law and organizational behaviour.

“The expansion of the business program targets a number of categories of students,” said Dr. John Ashton, head of the Social Science Division at Grenfell.

In addition to the minor, the broader course offerings will be useful to students interested in taking electives in business, or to those who wish to complete a business degree.

“Students interested in a commerce degree or business administration degree from Memorial’s St. John’s campus will be able to stay in Corner Brook longer,” said Dr. Ashton. “Virtually all of the business courses we’re offering are required for those degrees.”

The reasoning behind the addition of the business minor is threefold, explains Dr. Ashton. “First and foremost the business minor is an important credential that will help make our graduates more employable,” he said. “Of course we’re responding to the demand of our students, plus we’re hoping it will give us the opportunity to retain students at the college longer then they normally would have stayed.”

Business instructor Julie Pitcher added that the minor will supplement Grenfell’s degree offerings, making its graduates more competitive.

Seeking president’s award nominees
Do you know a staff member who should be recognized for an outstanding contribution to the university? The President’s Awards for Exemplary Service recognize staff members’ accomplishments, resourcefulness, initiative, creativity, leadership, responsiveness in delivering service, and/or dedication to high standards as a member of the Memorial University staff.

Any administrative and support staff member of Memorial University and its agencies who have worked at the university for at least three years prior to nomination is eligible. Nominations may come from alumni, faculty, staff, students and other members of the university community.

Nomination forms are available from the Office of the Vice-President (Administration and Finance) and Legal Counsel, Arts and Administration Building, Room A-2024, and from Nola Perry, Human Resources, room A-4031. The deadline for nominations is May 15.

If you would like further information about the awards, feel free to call Robert Barker at 737-4627 or e-mail rbarker@mun.ca. Also visit the Human Resources homepage, www.mun.ca/humanres for a list of previous award winners.

Awards for top athletes
The School of Human Kinetics and Recreation held its annual presentation of awards Thursday, April 4, and honoured some of its finest student-athletes. Twelve of Memorial’s graduating players were inducted into the Athletic Honour Society, which recognizes graduating student-athletes that have made an outstanding contribution to the athletic program at Memorial University. Election to membership in the Athletic Honour Society is the highest athletic award that can be conferred on a student at Memorial University. This year’s inductees were Brad Piercey, volleyball; Trevor O’Brien, cross country; Melissa Skanes, basketball; Dion Langdon, basketball; Mellissa Oates, volleyball; Jennifer Neville, soccer; Kerri Walsh, soccer; Anne Barrington, cross country; Alexandra Mackey, volleyball; Susan Penney, volleyball; Sarah Arnott, soccer; and Danielle Fitzgerald, wrestling.

Basketball players Jeff Saxby and Jenine Browne were presented the Edward P. Browne Trophy as the outstanding male and female inter-university basketball players. Mellissa Oates and Melissa Skanes were co-winners of the Graham Snow Memorial Award for the combination of athletics and high academic achievement. Basketball player Erika Stokes received the Harold Squires Scholarship for the student combining outstanding achievement in athletics and academics. The Jubilee Cup was awarded to Trevor O’Brien and Anne Barrington for the most outstanding performance in distance running. Justin Warren received the John Drinkwater Memorial Award as the outstanding varsity swimmer.