2006-2007

News Release

REF NO.: 28

SUBJECT: Fortis Inc. donation improves teaching technology and honours community builder Dr. Angus Bruneau

DATE: October 2, 2006

The heart of the S. J. Carew Building has been given a facelift. Thanks to a $100,000 donation from Fortis Inc. to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, the main engineering lecture theatre on Memorial University’s St. John’s Campus has been revitalized and will be officially renamed today in a dedication ceremony.
The donation of Fortis is in recognition of the contributions Dr. Angus Bruneau has made to the corporation and his years of service to Memorial. Dr. Bruneau joined the faculty in 1968 and served as dean from 1969 until 1974. During that time, he led the development of the co-operative engineering programs, which now have 800 undergraduate students who are in high demand from employers upon graduation. Dr. Bruneau also served as president and chief executive officer of Newfoundland Power from 1986 until 1990, at which time he became chairman of the board of directors of Newfoundland Power. He served as chairman of Newfoundland Power until 1996. From 1987 to 1996, he was the chief executive officer of Fortis. Dr. Bruneau was also the chairman of the board of directors of Fortis Inc. for 18 years. He retired as chairman of the board of directors of Fortis Inc. in May 2006.
“Fortis is proud to be a part of today’s dedication ceremony to honour Dr. Bruneau. Both Dr. Bruneau and Fortis share a strong connection with Memorial University – Dr. Bruneau as founding dean of Engineering and Fortis as a major employer in this province of graduates from the university. Dedicating this newly refurbished lecture theatre in his name is a most fitting tribute for Dr. Bruneau’s unwavering commitment to Fortis and his years of service to Memorial University,” said Stan Marshall, president and chief executive officer, Fortis Inc.
The lecture theatre, which is used by many university units because of its size, was inaugurated when the building opened in 1974. The $100,000 donation from Fortis covered a large portion of the funds needed to completely remodel the lecture theatre. Improvements include new seating, carpeting, lighting, and a new entrance way, as well as refurbished walls and state-of-the-art teaching technology with two new projectors and a 24-foot screen.
Dr. Axel Meisen, president of Memorial University, said the improvements will benefit the teaching of large undergraduate classes, public lectures like the Speaking of Engineering series, as well as other university and community events. “What most users will see is the physical enhancement of this lecture space, but it will also provide students and others with a richer learning experience,” Dr. Meisen said. “This modern lecture theatre will complement the high-quality teaching practices and standards for which Memorial University is known.”
In recognition of the Fortis donation and Dr. Bruneau’s service to Memorial University, particularly to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, the 213-seat lecture theatre will be named the Angus Bruneau Engineering Lecture Theatre.
 Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is one of the few programs in Canada that require all students to undertake co-operative education work terms. All five engineering programs (civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, and ocean and naval architectural) at Memorial University recently underwent a periodic and thorough review by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. All programs received six-year accreditation, the maximum period possible for engineering degree programs in Canada.
Fortis is principally a diversified, international electric utility holding company with assets approaching $4.5 billion and annual revenues of more than $1.4 billion. Fortis has holdings in regulated electric distribution utilities in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Belize, Grand Cayman, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. It has non-regulated generation operations in British Columbia, Ontario, central Newfoundland, upper New York State and Belize. Fortis also has investments in real estate and hotels through Fortis Properties Corporation, its wholly owned non-utility subsidiary.

- 30 -