Memorial University of Newfoundland
| Memorial University Graphic | ||
| Motto | Provehito In Altum (Latin: Launch forth into the deep) | |
| Established | 1925 | |
| Type | Public | |
| Location | St. John's, Newfoundland Corner Brook, Newfoundland Harlow, England St. Pierre, France | |
| Students | Undergraduate 15,500 Graduate 2,100 | |
| Chancellor | John Crosbie | |
| President | Axel Meisen | |
| Main Campus | urban 220 acres (890,000 m²) | |
| Mascot | Seahawks Datei:Seahawks logo.gif | |
| Homepage | http://www.mun.ca | |
Memorial University of Newfoundland, popularly known as "MUN", is a comprehensive university located in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
With historical strengths in engineering, business, geology, and medicine, it is perhaps most widely recognized as one of the top comprehensive universities in Canada. With over 17,000 students, it is also the largest university in Atlantic Canada. MUN's four main campuses are served by more than 900 faculty, and 1,500 staff members.
Campus
MUN has 5 campuses located in three countries. The main campus is located between Elizabeth Ave and Pippy Park in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The Marine Institute is also located in St. John's, while the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College campus is in Corner Brook and the Harlow campus is in Harlow, England. The Frecker Institute is located in St. Pierre, France.
Students
There are over 17,000 students currently enrolled in full and part time studies at MUN. This number includes both undergraduate and graduate students. The primary residence on main campus is Paton College, which provides standard residence services such as meal plans. There are also the Burton's Pond apartments, which are located on campus and run by the university.
Notable faculty, alumni and honorary degree recipients
Faculty
- Harold Williams - geologist and world expert on the tectonics of mountain belts
- Elliott Leyton - renowned for studies of serial murderers
- Patrick Parfrey - expert on kidney diseases
- Ian Jordaan - expert in engineering in harsh environments
- Elizabeth Miller - 19th century British Gothic literature
Alumni
- Harold Williams - geologist and world expert on the tectonics of mountain belts. Generally regarded as Newfoundland's greatest scientist
- Danny Williams - 9th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Gwynne Dyer - journalist
Honorary degree recipients
- Jean Chrétien - 20th Prime Minister of Canada
- Bob Cole - CBC hockey commentator
- John Frederick Dewey - geologist
- Craig Dobbin - businessman
- Gwynne Dyer - journalist
- John Kenneth Galbraith, economist, Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000 (LL.D)
- Loyola Hearn, current Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
- Aung San Suu Kyi - pro-democracy advocate
- HRH Princess Mary - member of the British Royal Family
- Brian Mulroney - 18th Prime Minister of Canada
- Ward Neale - geologist
- Lester B. Pearson 14th Prime Minister of Canada, Nobel Peace Prize winner
- Raymond Price - geologist
- Edward Shackleton - geographer and politician
- John Tuzo Wilson - geophysicist
Organization
The university's president and vice chancellor is Dr. Axel Meisen. The chancellor is Hon. John C. Crosbie, former Canadian cabinet minister.
Memorial has six Faculties (Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Medicine, and Science) and five Schools (Human Kinetics and Recreation, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work) physically linked by the MUNnel system. These offer a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
History
Memorial derives its name from Memorial University College, which opened in September 1925 at a campus on Parade Street in St. John's (Old College). The college was established as a memorial to the Newfoundlanders who had lost their lives on active service during the First World War; it was later rededicated to also encompass the province's war dead of the Second World War.[1].
The post-Confederation government elevated the status of Memorial University College to full university status in August 1949, renaming the institution to its present name. In 1961, MUN moved from the Old College to its present location on Elizabeth Avenue (Main Campus).
In 1964, the College of Fisheries, Navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics opened in St. John's and was renamed to the Institute of Fisheries and Marine Technology in 1984. In 1992, this institution became affiliated with MUN as the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Today it is referred to as the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, also shortened to the "Marine Institute".
The Faculty of Medicine of Memorial University of Newfoundland was established in 1967.
In September 1975 a campus was opened in Corner Brook, which was renamed Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in 1979. MUN also maintains a campus in Harlow, England which opened to students in 1969.
In 2001 the province changed its official name from Newfoundland to Newfoundland and Labrador. Some argued that the university should also consider such a change (ie. to Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador). After some debate it was decided to maintain the current name of the institution and its acronym.
Motto, shield, and arms
The university's motto, Provehito in Altum (Launch forth into the deep), captures the spirit of the adventure of learning and urges students to extend the frontiers of knowledge. The shield of arms bears a representation of the sea, books, and a cross. The Arms of Memorial University have as their central element a cross moline, which is a fitting symbol for an institution dedicated to the memory of soldiers of Newfoundland who died during the Great Wars.
Sports, clubs and traditions
MUN's sports teams, the Memorial Sea-Hawks, are part of the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) league of Canadian Interuniversity Sport. There are varsity teams in men's and women's basketball, cross-country, soccer, swimming, volleyball and wrestling.
Memorial University also has a very active student media including a radio station, CHMR, and a newspaper, The Muse.
MUNnels
The MUNnels are nicknamed for the system of underground and above ground walkways that link various buildings of MUN.