For the better part of the last century Memorial has played an integral role in the cultural, social and economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador. From within the institution’s bricks and mortar have emerged both distinguished leaders and scholarship in arts, science, economics, medicine, business, fisheries and oceans, and beyond. Memorial’s people and innovations have been entwined with the milestones that have marked the progress of this province, country and broader world.
Memorial and its campuses are approaching milestones: 2014 is the 65th anniversary of the Memorial University Act, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Marine Institute and 45th anniversary of the Harlow Campus. 2015 will mark the 40th anniversary of Grenfell Campus, and the 90th anniversary of Memorial University College’s creation in 1925.
It is an institution steeped in tradition by its very creation as a living memorial to those who served and died in the First World War. But the bricks and mortar are aging. That’s why there is significant work ongoing at all stages of capital renewal. To continue to ensure the success of students, faculty and the province as a whole, world-class teaching and learning spaces, leading-edge laboratories and healthy, green living spaces are needed.
About $125 million worth of infrastructure projects have recently been completed, with an additional $525 million underway across all campuses.
You can see the progress in new and refreshed residences at Grenfell and St. John’s campuses; in new environmental laboratories at Grenfell; in the rising walls at MI that will house the new offshore operations simulator; in the new Medical Education and Genetics Research centres; and at the evolving Battery facility overlooking the heart of downtown St. John’s.
And in the months and years ahead, our footprint will continue to change as work progresses on the Core Sciences Facility and other building projects. The bricks and mortar are a means to an end — continued success of our students through excellence in teaching, research and public engagement in a community.