The decade began with the development of a new executive and administrative structure for Grenfell Campus that supported transformation and growth of the campus. In February 2010, Dr. Mary Bluechardt was named Grenfell’s first vice-president.

Memorial continued to grow its international reputation for leading-edge ocean research. Memorial is playing a central role in advancing ocean exploration and discovery as a partner in the Ocean Frontier Institute and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. Our Cold Ocean and Arctic Science, Technology and Society, or COASTS, initiative aims to emphasize and enhance our world-leading capability.

Our expanding reputation continued to draw students from near and far, with enrolment growing from 18,746 (2010) to 18,558 (2019) boosted by incredible growth in international and graduate students.

Memorial’s physical footprint grew with the acquisition of the Battery Hotel (now Signal Hill Campus), Johnston GEO Centre, new residences in St. John’s and Corner Brook, the 85-acre Pye farm in Labrador which supports northern agricultural research and education, and the Marine Institute’s ocean technology hub for Atlantic Canada at its Holyrood Marine Base.

From a special task force on Aboriginal student success to Indigenous community consultations at the core of Memorial’s first-ever Indigenization strategy – the two stories bookend a decade moving towards Indigenization and truth and reconciliation at our university.

Memorial has a special obligation to all of the people of our province, and over the decade responded to broader calls for northern sovereignty over research and education. The Labrador Institute reached a milestone when it transited to an academic unit, a major step towards later becoming the university’s Labrador campus. This transition directly aligns with important initiatives at Memorial, including Indigenization and a renewed emphasis on enhancing and strengthening relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis throughout the province.

Milestones