Features
2022
December
Memorial's Report to the Community 2022
WE TRIED SOMETHING DIFFERENT this year for Memorial’s Report to the Community.
November
October 2022: From the Desk of
Forty years after the Ocean Ranger disaster, the granddaughter of one of those lost crossed the stage at convocation this month.
October
September 2022: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
My father was ashamed of his Mi’kmaw heritage and small wonder.
August 2022: Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems
A year ago this past June, 2,500 strawberry plants were planted at the Pye Centre in Labrador to prepare for a community U-pick.
August 2022: Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems
Last June, 2,500 strawberry plants were planted at the Pye Centre in Labrador to prepare for a community UPick
July
July 2022: Artificial intelligence and tech
Have you ever heard of the Memorial University AI and Games Lab?
June 2022: Greatest act of remembrance
The commemorative plaque on the memorial wall in the Arts and Administration building states that, “This university was raised by the people of Newfoundland as a memorial to the fallen …”
June
May 2022: Convocation season
Convocation season is in full swing at Memorial University! More than 2,000 degrees have been awarded in convocation ceremonies held in Corner Brook and St. John’s.
April
April 2022: Portraits of Resilience
Determination, hope and hard-won success. That's what we’re going to celebrate at our inaugural leadership conference, Portraits of Resilience, and I hope you join us on June 16.
March 2022: Making a difference
A university doesn't live in a vacuum. It takes partnerships, trust and a desire to make our world a better place.
February
February 2022: Black History Month
February was Black History Month and it is important to recognize anti-Black racism remains a reality in our society.
January
January 2022: Responding to tech industry needs
The first priority in Memorial’s new strategic plan, Transforming Our Horizons, is proactive programs with the aim of building global citizens for tomorrow’s needs.
2021
November
November 2021: Join me for On the Horizon
Memorial University is a vital piece of the economic, social and cultural fabric of Newfoundland and Labrador.
September
September 2021: Truth and reconciliation
Memorial University will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 30, to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
August
August 2021: Welcome back, students!
On a recent trip to Labrador, I met Nicolas Flowers from the community of Hopedale on the North Coast. Nicolas is heading to our Grenfell Campus this September for his second year in our environmental science program.
July
July 2021: Telling our Story
It’s time we push back against the narrative that students only come to Memorial University for low tuition.
July 2021: Special update on change to undergraduate tuition
Yesterday Memorial University’s governing body, the Board of Regents, approved increases to Memorial’s undergraduate tuition fees.
June
June 2021: Canada Day and reconciliation, Pride and support for all
There are often stories in the media to remind us of the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion — stories that remind us that these aren’t just lofty goals or words on paper.
May 2021: Provincial budget, PSE Review and PERT Report
Earlier today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released the 2021 provincial budget, which included a base operating budget cut of $2.6 million to Memorial University. As well, for the first year since 2005, the government has not provided funding for the grant in lieu of tuition increases.
April
April 2021: Record enrolment, federal support, PSE Review and building global citizens
Our spring semester has concluded, which means our students are taking a well-deserved break. Faculty and students have spent a full year teaching and learning remotely, and I am so proud of all they have accomplished.
March 2021: Monthly update from the President
The identity and livelihood of Newfoundland and Labrador is tied inextricably to the sea, so it is no surprise that a great deal of research at Memorial University is tied to the blue economy – essentially the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
February
February 2021: Monthly update from the President
As we head into March and prepare to mark one year of living with COVID-19 in our communities, I want to focus on something positive.
January 2021: Monthly update from the President
Last week I presided over my first Memorial convocation. It was such a delight to have this event take place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
2020
December
December 2020: Monthly update from the President
I would like to end this very challenging year with a message of hope. As Ben Franklin famously said, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.”
November
November 2020: Monthly update from the President
One of the true joys of my role as president is meeting people who are passionate about their community. I always learn a lot in these conversations and I’m particularly gratified when I can find a connection to Memorial – and there is almost always a connection!
October
October 2020: Monthly update from the President
One of my favourite things about being a university president is getting to meet our passionate and energetic students. Even with classes being delivered remotely, there are students on campus and I’ve been so happy to meet some of them.
October 2021: Full academic journey
Last month, we welcomed students back to our campuses for in-person learning. To see some of them take their first steps into the classroom as they begin their academic journey has been energizing, to say the least.
September 2020: Monthly update from the President
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador unveiled its budget for 2020-21 on Sept. 30 and Memorial’s base budget remains largely unchanged. While government allocated no new money to the university to address deferred maintenance, Memorial continues to work with the province on plans to address aging infrastructure on all campuses.
August
August 2020: Monthly update from the President
This summer was an eye-opening experience. I put more than 7,500 kilometres on my car, travelling across the island and up to Labrador. It was a fantastic experience that really gave me a feel for the incredible reach and impact Memorial has on towns and industries throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, from aquaculture on the South Coast to mining in Central to shrimp processing in Labrador.
July
July 2020: Monthly update from the President
The close of July 2020 sees me in the midst of a significant and exciting road trip, one that has so far taken me from St. John’s, to Stephenville, the Great Northern Peninsula, the Coast of Labrador and the Lake Melville region.
June
June 2020: Monthly update from the President
2020 marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of Memorial University College, created out the ashes of the First World War but developed with a spirit of hope. At Memorial, remembrance is built into our institutional psyche.
May
May 2020: Monthly update from the President
Being a leader is not only about inspiring others; it’s also about being inspired, according to General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier, Memorial’s former chancellor and honorary graduate.Watching our students cross the finish line to graduation during this pandemic has truly been inspiring. And now they are launching forth to change the world.
April
April 2020: Monthly update from the President
It’s been 30 days since I began in the role of president and vice-chancellor at Memorial University. As you might imagine, it has not been the 30 days I envisioned prior to returning to Newfoundland and Labrador.