There were plenty of reasons to celebrate at Brock’s Opening of Term barbecue held Thursday in Jubilee Court.

President Gervan Fearon welcomed the record-setting crowd of 500 people to the event, and announced the University is poised to soon meet some milestones of its own.

Brock’s growth rate for the coming school year is on track to be above the predicted provincial average.

A record crowd attended the 2018 Opening of Term celebration in Jubilee Court Thursday, Aug. 23.

In just a couple of weeks, the University expects to welcome 5,000 new students. If that forecast plays out, it would likely push Brock’s total enrolment for 2018-19 to more than 19,000 full- and part-time students.

“Both of these important metrics are record achievements for Brock,” said Fearon. “They reflect the community’s dedication to serving students, enhancing our reputation and growing its attractiveness to individuals from across Canada and the globe.”

Fearon is confident that faculty and staff will do an amazing job of welcoming students and their families to campus.

“So many individuals have been so kind to me this year,” he said. “I recognize that I’m not the only recipient of this kindness — the community extends it to each other and to our students. This is what makes the University so special.”

Another milestone Fearon addressed was Brock’s 100,000th graduate, who crossed the Convocation stage in June. He credited everyone associated with the University since its inception for helping build the institution to what it is today.

“We are all part of an incredible legacy that contributes to the education and prosperity of so many individuals and communities,” he said. “Although students attend Brock for only four to seven years, our engagement with them lasts a lifetime.”

The annual Opening of Term barbecue featured live music, lawn games, hot lunches and new dessert options, including ice cream sundaes and watermelon.

An online gallery of photos from the event is available on SharePoint @ Brock.