Past Brock University Board of Trustees Chair Gary Comerford (left) moderated a conversation between Chancellor Hilary Pearson (centre) and President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg (right) during the Chancellor’s Reception in Burlington, Ont., on Oct. 17.Brock’s role as a catalyst for positive change in the Burlington area took centre stage during the recent Chancellor’s Reception held in the city.
Brock University Chancellor Hilary Pearson was joined by President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg at the Oct. 17 event for a conversation about the University’s commitment to fostering community partnerships and contributing to the region’s social and economic development.
Brock Teacher Education programs formerly offered in Hamilton moved to an interim Burlington location in 2023. The Brock University Burlington Campus will relocate to the future City of Burlington community hub in 2025. This new site, developed in partnership with the City, will serve students, faculty, staff and community partners as Brock strategically expands its presence in the Niagara-Burlington corridor.
“Brock’s purpose is to transform people and reimagine the future,” said Rigg.
For the past 60 years, Brock has worked with the communities it serves to bring about meaningful change. In addition to strengthening its presence in the Golden Horseshoe, the University is expanding its continuing education programming to empower local residents with more upskilling and retraining opportunities.
Brock’s connection to local communities extends beyond its physical campus locations, with researchers actively working to solve socio-economic issues that also align with the interests of philanthropic and non-profit organizations.
“What attracted me to Brock was how the University engages with the community,” said Pearson. “Brock is a community-facing university. It’s not an ivory tower on the hill; it is deeply engaged in the community.”
The conversation, moderated by past Chair of the Board of Trustees Gary Comerford, also highlighted Pearson’s book, From Charity to Change: Inside the World of Canadian Foundations, which offers a comprehensive look at today’s philanthropic landscape in Canada.
Her work highlights organizations addressing pressing social and economic challenges, including education, workforce evolution, and the need to build and repair relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
