Gazette, 2004-11-04

              Memorial
University of Newfoundland
Gazette
November 4, 2004
Volume 37 Number 5
Publication Mail
Registration No. 40062527
A Memorial University of Newfoundland Publication
Inside
Survey says
people who make Memorial excellent.
PAGE 7
Special time
Convocation is the time when the
university gets to show off its best, and
that includes the hundreds of people
receiving degrees, our eminent professors and honorary graduates.
PAGES 8-9
Memorable research
A new collaborative project is examining the critical events underlying
learning. The project is examining
cellular pathways that may be able to
be manipulated in order to improve
learning and provide ways of enhancing memory.
PAGE 10
People in this province think Memorial is doing a pretty good
job, according to a recent public opinion poll. Check inside for
a breakdown on attitudes towards the university.
PAGE 3
Head of the class
Distinguished teachers, outstanding
researchers and exemplary employees
all received their due from President
Axel Meisen when he presented his
annual awards. Meet some of the
International
children's rights
advocate Craig
Kielburger wrapped
up Celebrate
Memorial 2004 with
a lively and
passionate
presentation to
high school
students and
university faculty,
students and staff
on Oct. 29 at the
Field House. For a
look back at
Celebrate
Memorial, see
Page 12.
New chair for Board of Regents
LORNE WHEELER has been appointed the new chair of
Memorial's Board of Regents. The announcement was made
Oct. 27 by Education Minister Tom Hedderson.
"Mr. Wheeler brings a wealth of knowledge to this position," said Mr. Hedderson. "His experience and abilities will
help ensure the university is strong, vibrant and well-positioned to contribute to the social and economic growth of our
province."
Memorial President Dr. Axel Meisen thanked acting chair
and long-standing board member Dr. Georgina Hedges "for
providing leadership for the board for the last year. Her
commitment to the role was excellent, and she ensured that
Time to remember
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY is aptly named as a living
memorial to those who fought in the first and second
world wars. Each year a Ceremony of Remembrance is
held to reflect on the lives lost and those who fought to
make our lives better. The St. John's campus invites the
public to take time to
reflect on Wednesday,
Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. in the
Reid Theatre, Arts and
Administration Building.
The ceremony will
include the Royal Canadian Legion colour party and the Royal Newfoundland
Regiment Band.
The university community - including students,
employees, pensioners and alumni - is encouraged to
attend this event. Following the ceremony, there will be a
reception.
the board's work continued effectively during the time she
served in the position."
Born in Greenspond, Mr. Wheeler has been active in
education since his days as president of Memorial's student
council. After graduating from Memorial with a BA (Ed)
and a BA, he moved into the public school system where he
served as a principal for about 20 years in many schools,
including Herdman Collegiate in Corner Brook. He was
president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association, assistant deputy minister for primary, elementary and
secondary education, and deputy minister of education. He's
also a former member of the Board of Regents of Memorial,
serving in the early 1970s.
Mr. Wheeler said he intends to consult widely in the early
weeks of his chairmanship.
"I have a lot of meeting and talking to do before I find out
how I can best contribute to the university," he said.
However, he believes the university is "the most important, most valuable asset that the province has, and I'll do whatever I can, whatever is appropriate for me to do, to increase
see CHAIR on page 2
Memorial's leaders report to white paper commission
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY'S SENIOR LEADERS
met with the provincial government's Commission on
Public Post-Secondary Education on Oct. 18 to discuss
the university's role in higher education and in the future
development of the province.
Memorial's Senior Executive Committee (SEC)
presented a formal report to the commission, which is
chaired by Dr. Wayne Ludlow, and participated in a facilitated discussion concerning postsecondary education. The
Senior Executive Committee consists of President Axel
Meisen; Dr. Eddy Campbell, vice-president (academic); Dr.
Chris Loomis, vice-president (research); Kent Decker, vice-
president (administration and finance); Dr. Lilly Walker,
dean of student affairs and services; Victoria Collins, director
of University Relations; and Margot Brown, executive
director of the Office of the President.
Dr. Meisen reflected on the importance of the white
paper process. "The white paper will shape public policy
regarding higher education in this province for the next
decade and perhaps beyond," he said. "The process of
developing the white paper is very important, not only to
Memorial University but to the entire province, because the
university is integral to our social, cultural and economic
development. The wliite paper will have far-reaching consequences."
The SEC report to the commission is titled Transforming Aspirations into Reality and contains nine recommendations (plus sub-recommendations) covering
everything from the size of the university, to funding,
research, partnerships, governance and accountability.
"Memorial University is recognized as an important
institution, arguably the most important institution,
through which the aspirations of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have been and will continue to be realized," said Dr. Meisen. "Our report builds on this notion
and presents a case for the kind of university that we think
is needed if the province and its citizens are to prosper. In
see WHITE PAPER on page 5
rW/X
November 4 2004
www. m u n, ca / u n i v r e I / g a ze 1t e