Around the middle of the last century, locals asked the provincial government to establish a university on the Niagara peninsula.<\/p>\n
The goal was to ensure that community members could get the best possible education without having to leave the region.<\/p>\n
Brock University opened its doors in September 1964 with a handful of students taking classes in a refurbished refrigeration factory.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s grape and wine industry, take part in missions to Mars, and are shedding light on humanity\u2019s impact on the planet and its climate.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot to celebrate,\u201d says Brad Clarke, Associate Vice-President, Students and Chair of Brock\u2019s 60th Anniversary Steering Committee. \u201cIn 60 short years, we\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 60th Anniversary Steering Committee has engaged stakeholders across campus to help develop programming in celebration of the occasion.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Alumni Relations will mark the anniversary by recognizing exceptional graduates with the Alumni Brilliance Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cBrock 60th Anniversary\u201d as a co-host on the ExperienceBU platform<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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<\/em> magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n President Lesley Rigg says that while anniversaries are often focused on the past, Brock\u2019s 60th is just as much about celebrating the University\u2019s impact on society today.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an opportunity to commemorate all that we\u2019ve accomplished over the past 60 years as an institution, but it\u2019s not just about looking back,\u201d says Rigg. \u201cEvery day our students, faculty and staff are contributing to Brock\u2019s reputation for excellence, positioning the University for continued success well into the future. It\u2019s a fantastic time to be a Badger, and I can\u2019t wait to celebrate with our community.\u201d<\/p>\n