Lead on!
Engineering students came together to experience the Student
Leadership and Innovation Fund in Engineering (LIFE) Forum in St.
John’s at the Delta Hotel, Sept. 26.
By
Jody Rotchford
On Saturday, Sept. 26, more than 60 engineering students came
together to experience the Student Leadership and Innovation Fund
in Engineering (LIFE) Forum at the Delta Hotel in St. John’s.
Despite the early start to the day, the excitement and enthusiasm
of the students was apparent. David Sharpe, Engineering Student
Society B’s president, was pleased with the level of
enthusiasm shown by the participants.
“I hope this event continues to inspire students by opening
their eyes to their personal potential and encouraging them to
maximize their abilities,” he said.
The day began with words of welcome from Dr. Steve Bruneau on
behalf of his parents Drs. Angus and Jean Bruneau, founders of the
Angus Bruneau Student Leadership and Innovation Fund in
Engineering. A longtime supporter of the faculty, Dr. Angus
Bruneau’s relationship with Memorial University began in 1968
when he established the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
and served as its first dean. Dr. Bruneau also led the development
of the co-operative engineering program, an innovation offered at
only one other Canadian university at the time. Despite not being
able to attend the forum, Dr. Steve Bruneau told students that his
parents wished them great success.
The morning took a physical turn as Tom Brophy, director of Student
Success Programs, got students out of their seats and interacting
with each other and faculty members through P.U.M.P, Atlantic
Canada’s largest group mixer activity. The forum’s
keynote speaker, Earl Ludlow, president and CEO of Newfoundland
Power Inc., inspired students by discussing the challenges and
successes he has experienced in his professional career. Brendan
Brothers, a co-founder of local company Verafin, gave the company
address and encouraged students to “think big” by
talking about his company’s journey from a concept being
tossed around by friends to becoming the North American leader in
fraud-detection software. Throughout the day, students took part in
a number of break-out sessions that focused on the role of
leadership and innovation in international development,
entrepreneurism and sustainability.
The Angus Bruneau Student LIFE program encourages and supports
student leadership and innovation in engineering education,
research and community service. The program provides funding for
student-led initiatives that significantly enhance the experience
of students in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at
Memorial University, and supports initiatives that would not
normally be funded through the faculty’s operating
budget.
