2019-2020
News Release
REF NO.: 15
SUBJECT: Memorial University to unveil storyboard in memory of Judy Lynn Ford
DATE: October 16, 2019
Kent Decker, Memorial University’s vice-president (administration and finance), will host an event to unveil a storyboard in memory of Judy Lynn Ford, a Memorial University student who was killed crossing the Prince Philip Parkway on Oct. 17, 1980.
The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. on the 39th anniversary of the accident. It will be held in the University Centre food court, near the pedway to the Chemistry-Physics building.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Biology major
In the fall of 1980, Ms. Ford was a 20-year-old student from Port-aux-Basques studying at Memorial University and living in Squires House. Ms. Ford was a biology major, with a minor in psychology.
At that time, there had been significant growth in the area around the university, with a subsequent increase in traffic. On Oct. 17, 1980, Ms. Ford was struck by a truck while crossing the parkway. Her death precipitated a nearly week-long student and citizen occupation of the parkway, which ultimately led to the construction of two pedways spanning the road.
Tomorrow’s event is in memory of Ms. Ford and the student safety movement.
“I am honoured and humbled to host this event as we remember Judy Lynn Ford, who tragically lost her life crossing the parkway 39 years ago,” said Mr. Decker. “The storyboard we are unveiling depicts the events of that time, including the accident and the resulting student movement that brought the campus and the community together in an unprecedented way.”
Parkway occupation
Within an hour of the accident, the parkway was swarmed by an estimated 2,000 students protesting the absence of safe crossings. Groups blocked other crosswalks around campus and demanded a commitment to build the pedways.
“I was a student here at Memorial at the time, and I remember hearing the sad news and joining the protest demanding safer pedestrian access on campus,” said Mr. Decker.
The parkway occupation continued for several days and on Oct. 22, 1980, an agreement was reached between the provincial government, the City of St. John’s and the university to fund and build the pedways.
“Today we continue to focus efforts on continually improving pedestrian safety around Memorial’s campuses,” said Mr. Decker. “We endeavour to address hazards before they become incidents and we continue this commitment to a safe campus.”
REF NO.: 15
SUBJECT: Memorial University to unveil storyboard in memory of Judy Lynn Ford
DATE: October 16, 2019
Kent Decker, Memorial University’s vice-president (administration and finance), will host an event to unveil a storyboard in memory of Judy Lynn Ford, a Memorial University student who was killed crossing the Prince Philip Parkway on Oct. 17, 1980.
The event will take place tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. on the 39th anniversary of the accident. It will be held in the University Centre food court, near the pedway to the Chemistry-Physics building.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Biology major
In the fall of 1980, Ms. Ford was a 20-year-old student from Port-aux-Basques studying at Memorial University and living in Squires House. Ms. Ford was a biology major, with a minor in psychology.
At that time, there had been significant growth in the area around the university, with a subsequent increase in traffic. On Oct. 17, 1980, Ms. Ford was struck by a truck while crossing the parkway. Her death precipitated a nearly week-long student and citizen occupation of the parkway, which ultimately led to the construction of two pedways spanning the road.
Tomorrow’s event is in memory of Ms. Ford and the student safety movement.
“I am honoured and humbled to host this event as we remember Judy Lynn Ford, who tragically lost her life crossing the parkway 39 years ago,” said Mr. Decker. “The storyboard we are unveiling depicts the events of that time, including the accident and the resulting student movement that brought the campus and the community together in an unprecedented way.”
Parkway occupation
Within an hour of the accident, the parkway was swarmed by an estimated 2,000 students protesting the absence of safe crossings. Groups blocked other crosswalks around campus and demanded a commitment to build the pedways.
“I was a student here at Memorial at the time, and I remember hearing the sad news and joining the protest demanding safer pedestrian access on campus,” said Mr. Decker.
The parkway occupation continued for several days and on Oct. 22, 1980, an agreement was reached between the provincial government, the City of St. John’s and the university to fund and build the pedways.
“Today we continue to focus efforts on continually improving pedestrian safety around Memorial’s campuses,” said Mr. Decker. “We endeavour to address hazards before they become incidents and we continue this commitment to a safe campus.”
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