2007-2008

News Release

REF NO.: 142

SUBJECT:

DATE: April 7, 2008

              Three winners were announced today at a special Rant Like Rick awards ceremony. Courtney Hibbs from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Stuart Simpson from Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Jana Gillis from East Bay, Nova Scotia were all recognized for having the best rants.
            “We are delighted with the results of the Rant Like Rick contest this year. Initiatives like this really give prospective students an opportunity to experience and connect with Memorial University,” says Sheila Devine, director, Office of Student Recruitment. “It’s great to see so much enthusiasm and excitement in these winning ranters.”
            Courtney Hibbs’ rant focused on the growing family doctor shortage crisis in the province. Her unique combination of humor, seriousness and social well-being helped contribute to this rants’ conviction.
            Stuart Simpson’s passionate rant focused on the growing popularity of Facebook, and how the social networking site seems to be consuming his peers. It’s no wonder this Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador native was a natural fit for the Rant Like Rick contest. A two-time acting award winner, Stuart says the contest was an innovative and fresh opportunity to use his talents to express his opinion and earn money for tuition.
             Jana Gillis delivered a passionate and concerned rant about how we all need to get off the internet and explore the world around us – and she can certainly offer some pointers on how to do just that.
            Contestants were asked to send in their rant about a relevant topic with a chance to win free tuition. The three winners will receive a tuition voucher for two semesters, currently valued at $2,550. There were 25 entries received in total.
            The campaign “Rant Like Rick” is based on the concept of Rick Mercer’s rant component of his show The Rick Mercer Report. Two ads were created to promote the contest; one featuring a male and one a female, both “ranting” about factors that prospective students need to consider when choosing a university.
            To view the winning rants, visit www.mun.ca/rant
 
About Memorial University of Newfoundland
Since its founding in 1925, Memorial University of Newfoundland has shaped the minds of over 60,000 graduates who work as writers, scientists, educators, health professionals, business and labour leaders, artists, technical professionals and in many other fields. Over the past 75 years Memorial has developed research expertise in a broad range of academic disciplines, making a vital contribution to the development of our province, our country and our world. 
Memorial University is the only university in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the largest university in Atlantic Canada. With two campuses in St. John’s and one at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, Memorial has a student population of approximately 17,000, a faculty complement of 1,000 and 1,500 staff in six faculties (Arts, Science, Education, Medicine, Engineering and Applied Science, and Business Administration) and seven schools (Graduate Studies, Nursing, Physical Education, Human Kinetics and Recreation; Social Work, Continuing Education, Music and Pharmacy). The largest campus is centrally located in St. John‘s, Newfoundland, North America’s oldest city and most easterly port, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Memorial also operates a specialized facility in Labrador, the Labrador Institute, and a small residential campus in Harlow, England.                                          
Memorial offers transformational university experiences and is redefining the word that describes this best: Become. Memorial University is the natural place where people and ideas become. More than just a word, it’s an invitation . . . to explore one’s potential, to experience one’s capabilities, to develop one’s ingenuity and creativity, in the uniquely natural and freeing environment of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Memorial students are 21st century explorers from over 80 countries. They are intrepid and curious, ready to take the necessary risks to achieve their potential, to become. The faculty are engaging and committed expert guides who take exploration and experiential learning as their guideposts and help others become. Memorial’s campuses are diverse learning and exploration environments, all uniquely shaped by the North Atlantic location and heritage, each offering the freedom to explore and experience the world. Our research programs span many disciplines and faculty and students focus on expanding our understanding of our world and solving its problems.
Memorial has developed leading programs and research expertise to address the unique health and education needs, cultural considerations and environmental concerns of this region and its people. They include research in geology, archaeology, rural health care, telemedicine, distance education, music, linguistics and folklore. Memorial has special programs devoted to mineral, petroleum and natural gas exploration including applied seismology, mineral deposits research, earth sciences, geophysics, geology, and geological engineering. Other areas of interest include aboriginal studies, child welfare and child protection, telecommunications engineering and information technology, women in science and engineering, pediatric genetics, genetics and disease, youth-focused technological entrepreneurship, women's studies, religious studies, biochemistry, environmental studies, theatre, pharmacy, and nursing. Our comprehensive distance education program makes this learning available to people throughout our province and around the world.

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