Around the middle of the last century, locals asked the provincial government to establish a university on the Niagara peninsula.

The goal was to ensure that community members could get the best possible education without having to leave the region.

Brock University opened its doors in September 1964 with a handful of students taking classes in a refurbished refrigeration factory.

Nearly 60 years later, Brock is renowned for offering one of the best student experiences in the country. Its instructors are national leaders in teaching. Its researchers play a key role in supporting Ontario’s grape and wine industry, take part in missions to Mars, and are shedding light on humanity’s impact on the planet and its climate.

Brock is preparing to mark its milestone 60th anniversary this fall, recognizing that the University has accomplished a great deal in a relatively short amount of time.

“There’s a lot to celebrate,” says Brad Clarke, Associate Vice-President, Students and Chair of Brock’s 60th Anniversary Steering Committee. “In 60 short years, we’ve grown to become a sought-after institution for students near and far. A place where researchers from around the world come to do work with real societal impact. A university well-known for opening its arms to everyone.”

The 60th Anniversary Steering Committee has engaged stakeholders across campus to help develop programming in celebration of the occasion.

The anniversary will kick off with a community event planned for Sept. 21 (details to come), and will be integrated into other existing events, such as Welcome Week and Homecoming.

Alumni Relations will mark the anniversary by recognizing exceptional graduates with the Alumni Brilliance Awards.

Academic and administrative departments and units are encouraged to incorporate anniversary celebrations and markers into their own events and activities. Event organizers can add their programming to a 60th anniversary events calendar, part of a website dedicated to the occasion, by adding “Brock 60th Anniversary” as a co-host on the ExperienceBU platform.

University Marketing and Communications has developed an anniversary brand extension for use on materials directly related to the anniversary, and in collaboration with Alumni Relations, will feature the anniversary in a special fall issue of Surgite magazine.

President Lesley Rigg says that while anniversaries are often focused on the past, Brock’s 60th is just as much about celebrating the University’s impact on society today.

“This is an opportunity to commemorate all that we’ve accomplished over the past 60 years as an institution, but it’s not just about looking back,” says Rigg. “Every day our students, faculty and staff are contributing to Brock’s reputation for excellence, positioning the University for continued success well into the future. It’s a fantastic time to be a Badger, and I can’t wait to celebrate with our community.”

Updates on the 60th anniversary celebrations will be available at brocku.ca/60 in the coming months.