2005-2006

News Release

REF NO.: 52

SUBJECT: Celebrate Memorial 2005

DATE: October 14, 2005

From a truck pull to a kitchen party to random acts of music, this year’s Celebrate Memorial event runs the gamut of activities and Dr. Lilly Walker, Memorial’s Dean of Student Affairs and Services and co-chair of the organizing committee, couldn’t be happier. This year Celebrate Memorial has taken on the theme I love MUNdays on the St. John’s campus and I Fell for Grenfell in Corner Brook.

“These events acknowledge and salute all the great things happening at this university,” Dr. Walker said with a wide smile. “It’s a celebration of our students, staff and faculty and includes interesting events we do for the community.”

She is particularly proud of this year’s diverse lineup of events which range from an open mic night and book fair to the university’s alumni tribute awards and fall convocation.

“We have very relaxed and informal fun events but we also have structured activities, as well,” she said. “At many universities the community comes together for events such as homecoming; this is MemorialUniversitycoming together and celebrating our uniqueness.

“On the St. John’scampus our theme is I love MUNdays and that’s interesting because we’re showing off all the things we love about this place – our creativity, our students, our faculty.”

Celebrate Memorial will have a special twist this year as Sir Wilfred Grenfell College prepares to celebrate its 30th birthday.

Since 1975, Grenfell College has evolved from a junior regional college to a degree-granting institution which now offers four degrees in 14 different disciplines. Students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to learn more about the college through a number of activities planned for the Celebrate Memorial period.

“Our events reflect the Celebrating Memorial ideal, but they also help us mark a very important milestone, that being our 30th anniversary,” explained Connie Boland, the Celebrate Memorial co-ordinator at Grenfell. “What we’ve done is put together a list of events that will be fun for students, faculty and staff, while also showcasing our campus.”

One of the Corner Brook flagship events is the official launch and Campus Dash, being held on Oct. 19. The launch is slated for 4 p.m.on the lawn outside the GCSU Food Court. The popular Campus Dash takes place immediately after.

Rain or shine, participants will walk, run or stroll approximately two kilometres for runners and one kilometre for walkers. Registration is 3:30-4 p.m.in the GCSU Food Court, located in the Arts and ScienceBuilding. The race will start 4:15 p.m.on the lawn outside the Food Court. Prizes will awarded to the top male and female, top residence and chalet, and the top school. A campus BBQ will follow this event.

“The campus dash is popular within the Grenfell community and with the general public,” Ms Boland said. “The dash is recognized as a sprint event for runners and running groups, while junior high and high school running clubs also encourage their students to get involved.”

Dr. Walker credits this year’s organizing committee for coming up with a variety of activities that will appeal to the university’s diverse community.

“We get a chance to celebrate all the things about this great university such as our contributions to the community and to draw attention to our top-notch students and teachers and staff,” she said.

“I particularly encourage students to take an active role this year. Sometimes they are so busy in their academic life that they don’t stop and get excited about things going around them. MUNdays are a chance to celebrate all the exciting things going on and to take time out of their busy days to take pride in this place, get involved and realize that this place is a great university.”

Note to editors: The following events are open to the media and will offer ample photo and video opportunities at both Memorial’s St. John’scampus and Sir Wilfred Grenfell Collegei n Corner Brook.

St. John’s events:

St. John’s Fog Devils vs. Memorial’s Women’s Sea-Hawks

A friendly, fun basketball game. Admission is free!

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, 6-7:30 p.m., Field House

Memorial Writes…About Newfoundland and Labrador

An opportunity to meet local authors, discuss the creative process, and buy books relating to the history and culture of the province.

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, 12-3:30 p.m., University Centre

Books by the Inch

An annual sale of library books, where the price of chosen books is determined not by author or the market value, but by the inch.

Friday, Oct. 2005, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., QEII Library

International Bazaar

An opportunity to learn more about other cultures, and experience foods from throughout the world.

Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, 12-3 p.m., University Centre

Kindness Friday

A day for doing good deeds for others – combining structured community service and/or random acts of kindness.

Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, all day, throughout campus and the community

Barnes House Truck Pull

A challenge to the university community to pull a large truck, as a fundraiser for Iris Kirby House. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, 12 p.m., Parking Area 15

Outside the Box Challenge

A team challenge pitting various parts of the university against each other, in a battle of wits, creativity and ingenuity – to determine which group can best ‘think outside the box’. Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, 2-4:30 p.m., MUN Gym, Phys. Ed Bldg.

Corner Brooke events:

Official Launch:

Join us 4 p.m.on the lawn outside the Food Courtto officially launch Celebrating Memorial 2005.

Campus Dash:

Rain or shine! Walk it! Run it! Crawl it! Approximately two kilometres for runners; one kilometre for walkers. Registration is 3:30-4 p.m.Race starts 4:15 p.m.This event is open to all students, faculty, staff, high school students and general public. Prizes awarded to the top male and female, top residence and chalet, and the top high school.

Campus Dash BBQ:

Dash participants will have the chance to fuel up after the Campus Dash.

Thursday, Oct. 20

International Student Night: Our International students will prepare traditional meals, talk about their countries and traditions in the Student Lounge from 7-10 p.m.

Entrance Scholarship Event:

Our first year students will be honored for their accomplishments, 5:30 p.m.in the Fine Arts Atrium.

ForestWalking Tour:

Peter Smith, a SWGC graduate will take students, faculty and staff on the Corner Brook Stream trail to talk about tree identification, wildlife, forest ecology, etc. from 3-4 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 21

Club House: The GCSU invites Grenfell clubs and societies to set up information displays to recruit new members and for general information purposes. Time and location TBA.

Saturday, Oct. 22

30 years and GROWING Celebrating Memorial Open House: See what’s happening on campus. Starting at 10 a.m.with a children’s story time in the Ferris Hodgett Library. Events include physics displays to coincide with National Science and Technology Month in the Arts and Science building, a campus tour, sculpture, computer and Japanese Origami demonstrations, a teddy bear clinic and the Art Gallery’s Lunar Lander Space Adventures - a tour of the exhibition, William Gill: NightDay followed by an art project based on the installation. People of all ages invited, and supplies are available. The open house will close at 2 p.m.

Visit www.swgc.ca/celebrate for a detailed list of events or www.mun.ca/mundays/.

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