Image caption: Ten years of dedicated service as Dean of Humanities will draw to a close for Carol Merriam (left) on July 1 as James Allard takes on the role of Interim Dean.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | by Gillian Minaker
Carol Merriam believes deeply in the magic of teaching, and that helping create that magic for other people is time well spent.
On July 1, Merriam will close the chapter on 10 years of service as Dean of Humanities as the Faculty welcomes James Allard, Associate Professor of English Language and Literature and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Student Affairs and Curriculum, as Interim Dean.
Katharine von Stackelberg, Associate Professor of Classics and Archaeology, has been appointed as the next Associate Dean, Undergraduate Student Affairs and Curriculum for the Faculty.
Merriam arrived at Brock in 1994 as a part-time Classics Instructor. Over the next three decades, the Latin poetry expert would dedicate herself to teaching and service.
Playing an active role in the Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA), Merriam served as President and Vice-President, and also led the Department of Classics and Archaeology as Chair for a three-year term.
In 2010, Merriam became Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies before being appointed Dean in 2015.
“Universities have a special place in our cultures and civilizations, and it’s been a true privilege to help shape the future and build community,” she said.
Merriam’s motivation has always been clear: to help others get the most out of their university experience.
“Supporting students, faculty, junior faculty, instructors, staff and colleagues —that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
At the helm of Humanities when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Merriam guided the Faculty through the challenges of sudden, remote learning. She established the cherished “Friday Blast” Faculty-wide communication, a tradition that continues to bring colleagues together.
“We had to learn quickly and rise to the occasion with the goal of teaching and supporting our students — and each other — as best we could,” she said.
Merriam’s time as Dean saw growth for Humanities, including the opening of Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, setting the Faculty on a trajectory to flourish in creative research and activities.
“With the presence of a dedicated fine and performing arts school, Brock is taking a leadership role in arts education in Canada and making it possible for our community to have significant impact,” she said.
Reflecting on the road ahead for Humanities in a rapidly changing world, Merriam said the disciplines help people see different possibilities, take different directions and forge new paths.
“Studying literature, history, art and philosophy teaches us how people have understood good, evil and value. Languages help us understand the world and remind us that there is always another story — it all comes down to the value of individual human spirit.”
As he prepares to take the Faculty’s helm, Allard said Merriam’s thoughtful and engaged leadership serves a reminder that the Humanities have always played and will continue to play a vital role in shaping how we live, work and thrive in uncertain and even chaotic times.
“Carol demands respect for and shows us how to take seriously the power of imagination, of empathetic curiosity, of a deep appreciation for shared histories in our research, our teaching and our commitment to the University,” he said.
Merriam expressed hope for the future and the University’s role in advancing reconciliation efforts.
“Through our collaboration with Brock’s Concurrent Teacher Education programs, educators will bring an inclusive perspective in subjects like Canadian History and Canadian Literature because of the knowledge and expertise offered by our Indigenous faculty members,” she said.
Reflecting on her roots in Classics — to which she will return to once again to teach Latin — Merriam shared pride in the department reimagining the discipline.
“Across the Faculty of Humanities, in every department and centre, the opportunity to work with such amazing people dedicated to our work and students, has been a true honour.”
