Brock University

Brock University is a comprehensive university located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Brock offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs that include co-op and other experiential learning opportunities to an enrolment of over 17,000 full-time students. The enabling legislation is the Brock University Act, S.O. 1964

Located at the center of Canada's Niagara Peninsula on the Niagara Escarpment in St. Catharines, Ontario, Brock University is the only Canadian university that is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Many of the buildings on campus were designed by the architectural firm, Moriyama & Teshima Architects.

A satellite campus used primarily for teacher education is located in Hamilton, Ontario.

Jack N. Lightstone became the school's president on July 1, 2006. The University Chancellor is Ned Goodman, founder of Dundee Wealth Management.

The university is increasingly being recognized for its research, being placed among Canada's leading academic institutions. Research Infosource recently ranked Brock third among Canadian undergraduate research universities based on research publication output and impact indicators.

History
Brock University was established by the Brock University Act in 1964. When the University first opened in September 1964, classes were held at the St. Paul Street United Church in downtown St. Catharines for 13 weeks until the Glenridge Campus was completely renovated. Brock's Glenridge campus was officially opened on October 19, 1964 with Dr. James A. Gibson as the University's founding President. Richard L. Hearn would later be appointed the University's inaugural Chancellor in 1967.

Brock University is named after Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who commanded the British and Canadian forces during the War of 1812. Although, the British and Canadian forces went on to win, Isaac Brock lost his life during the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, fought 20 km from the present-day site of the campus. His last words are said to have been Surgite! (Latin for "push on") — now used as the University's motto. For his contribution to Canada, Isaac Brock was voted the 28th Greatest Canadian in a 2004 poll, conducted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Academics
Brock's undergraduate and graduate degree programs are administered by seven faculties. Brock also boasts one of the largest selections of co-op programs in Canada.

The Globe and Mail's 2011 University Report Card, which is a national survey on student satisfaction gave Brock the following grades in the Medium-sized University category:
 * Quality of teaching: B+ (3rd in Canada)
 * Quality of education: A (2nd in Canada)
 * Most satisfied students: B+ (5th in Canada)
 * Class size: A- (2nd in Canada)
 * Student/faculty interaction: A- (3rd in Canada)
 * Recreation and athletics: A- (2nd in Canada)
 * Buildings and facilities: B+ (2nd in Canada)
 * Technology: B+ (4th in Canada)

Brock University graduates continue to enjoy one of the highest employment rates of all Ontario universities at 96.5 percent.

Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Brock University's Faculty of Applied Health Sciences offers degree programs in the follow areas:
 * Physical Education and Kinesiology
 * Recreation and Leisure Studies
 * Community Health Sciences
 * Nursing
 * Sport Management
 * Public Health

Faculty of Business
The Brock University Faculty of Business offers programs at both the Undergraduate and Graduate level of study.

Undergraduate: Graduate:
 * Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
 * Honours Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op (BBA)
 * Honours Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc)
 * Honours Bachelor of Accounting Co-op (BAcc)
 * Master of Business Administration (MBA)
 * Master of Business Administration (International Student Program) (MBA ISP)
 * Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
 * International Master of Accountancy (IMAcc)
 * Master of Science in Management (MSc)

The Brock University Faculty of Business is one of only five Canadian business schools to attain accreditation by the AACSB as well as attain membership in Beta Gamma Sigma.

Faculty of Education
Brock University's Faculty of Education offers programs in the follow areas:
 * Degree Programs:
 * Concurrent Education
 * Pre Service Education
 * Graduate and Undergraduate education
 * Bachelor of Education in Adult Education undergraduate degree and certificate program
 * Post-Graduate Programs:
 * Master of Education, including an International Student Program
 * In service
 * The Department of Continuing Teacher Education offers Additional Qualification courses for Teachers

Brock's Faculty of Education was established in 1965 as the St. Catharines Teachers’ College. In 1971 the Teachers’ College became the College of Education, an integral part of the Brock University community. In 1990, the College of Education designation was changed to the Faculty of Education to better reflect its academic relationship with the university.

Today, Brock's Faculty of Education has an outstanding reputation for teacher-education programs. It is widely regarded as one of Ontario's premiere teacher preparation schools, renowned for its strict selectivity (only the top 10% of applicants are admitted).

Faculty of Humanities
Brock University's Faculty of Humanities offers degree programs in the follow areas:
 * Applied Linguistics
 * Canadian Studies
 * Classics
 * Dramatic Arts
 * English Language and Literature
 * History
 * Interactive Arts and Science
 * Intercultural Studies
 * Liberal Arts
 * Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
 * Music
 * Philosophy
 * Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (Officially Renamed in November 2008)
 * Studies in Arts and Culture
 * Visual Arts

Faculty of Mathematics and Science
Brock University's Faculty of Mathematics and Science offers degree programs in the follow areas:
 * Biological Sciences
 * Chemistry
 * Computer Science
 * Earth Sciences
 * Mathematics
 * Physics

Brock University is the only school in Canada and internationally to offer the program MICA (Mathematics Integrated with Computing and Applications).

Faculty of Social Sciences
Brock University's Faculty of Social Sciences offers degree programs in the follow areas:
 * Business Economics
 * Child and Youth Studies
 * Communications
 * Economics
 * Film Studies
 * Geography
 * Labour Studies
 * Political Science
 * Popular Culture
 * Psychology
 * Sociology
 * Tourism and Environment
 * Women's Studies

Faculty of Graduate Studies
The Faculty of Graduate Studies offers 37 graduate programs, including 6 PhD programs.

Co-op
Co-op education offers undergraduate students an opportunity to combine academics with valuable work experience.

The Faculty of Business at Brock has one of the most extensive co-op offerings in Ontario. The Accounting Co-op program, one of the first in the province, has been in existence for over 20 years. Brock's Co-op programs consistently offer 100% placement - representing the highest placement rate of all Ontario Universities.

At the graduate level, degrees are offered in several arts and sciences disciplines.

In addition, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (an institution of the Lutheran Church - Canada) is affiliated with the university and offers a four-year Master of Divinity.

Its location in the Niagara Peninsula puts Brock at the center of cool-climate grape and wine research. It carries the distinction of being the only university in Canada to offer an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Oenology and Viticulture - see the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.

Athletics
The university is represented in Canadian Interuniversity Sport by the Brock Badgers.

Brock has the following varsity sports:


 * Baseball (Men's)
 * Basketball (Men's & Women's)
 * Cross Country (Men's & Women's)
 * Curling (Men's & Women's)
 * Fencing (Men's & Women's)
 * Ice Hockey (Men's & Women's)
 * Lacrosse (Men's)
 * Rowing (Men's & Women's)
 * Rugby union (Men's & Women's)
 * Soccer (Men's & Women's)
 * Squash (Men's)
 * Swimming (Men's & Women's)
 * Volleyball (Women's)
 * Wrestling (Men's & Women's)

In its history, Brock athletic teams have won a combined 48 provincial championships and 26 national championships (as of 2008).

2007/2008 National Championships:
 * Men's Lacrosse (6 years running)
 * Men's Rugby
 * Men's Wrestling (9 years running)
 * Men's Basketball

Student life
The Brock University Students' Union represents all undergraduate students at Brock University. It operates various services and businesses run by students. It is located in the Alumni Students' Centre.

The Brock Centre for the Arts is located on campus and features two large theatres, The Sean O'Sullivan (537 seats) and The David S. Howes (508 seats). The centre has a strong reputation in the Niagara Region for presenting some of the biggest names in Canadian Arts and Entertainment, Academics, and Politics.

The School of Fine and Performing Arts owns Rodman Hall, a downtown art gallery and teaching centre. The school is exploring a possible joint venture with the City of St. Catharines to operate a performing arts venue nearby (tentative name "Niagara Centre for the Arts").

Brock also has a reputation among students, as being a "party school".

Scholarships
Brock University joined Project Hero, a scholarship program cofounded by General (Ret'd) Rick Hillier for the families of fallen Canadian Forces members.

Arthur Schmon Tower
The Arthur Schmon Tower was built in 1968 and is the flagship building of Brock University. Dr. Schmon was the primary force behind getting a university established in the Niagara peninsula and was the chairman of the Brock University Founders' Committee, formed in 1962. The Schmon Tower building houses the campus Library, as well as the offices of the University administration and the Matheson Learning Commons. On a clear day, atop the Schmon Tower is afforded a direct line-of-sight view of the Toronto skyline, across Lake Ontario.

Welch Hall
Welch Hall is home to Brock's Faculty of Education, the Instructional Resource Centre, as well as the David S. Howes Theatre. It recently underwent an expansion, costing in excess of $8 million, which added additional lecture halls and administrative offices as well as upgrades to Welch Hall's facilities.

Mackenzie Chown Complex
Originally designed by former Brock Chancellor Raymond Moriyama, the Mackenzie Chown Complex primarily contains seminar rooms and science laboratories. The Mackezie Chown Complex also houses the Pond Inlet. Mackenzie Chown was the former mayor of St. Catharines, chairman of the Brock's Board of Trustees, and chairman of the fund raising committee for a new science laboratory building to be added to the Complex.

Taro Hall
Taro Hall is home to Brock's Faculty of Business. It was opened in 1990 and was designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects. Taro Hall is primarily used for Faculty offices, including the Dean of the Faculty of Business, and lecture halls. It contains six lecture halls for undergraduate students (BBA & BAcc), three lecture halls for graduate students (MBA, MAcc, IMAcc, and MSc), and a number of break-out rooms. There is also a student lounge and computer commons specifically for graduate business students. In December 2007, Taro Hall underwent an extensive renovation to upgrade the entire facility.

Plaza Building
Completed in 2007, Plaza Building contains the Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as computer facilities, seminar rooms and the new Brock Campus Bookstore. The Campus Store occupies the first floor (considered the 200 level, or level 2, in order to match Brock University's historic method of numbering its facilities). The third floor houses seminar rooms and computer labs, as well as the Political Science Department and its offices. The fourth floor houses additional seminar and computer rooms, as well as the Economics Department and its offices. The fifth and sixth floors of this building are restricted access and can only be entered via security card verification. These two restricted floors are home to the Jack & Nora Walker Canadian Center for Lifespan Development Research.

Walker Complex
The Walker Complex is an athletic complex for Brock University. The Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre, an Olympic size competitive swimming pool that features a depth adjustable hydraulic floor in shallow end (0–4 feet), a movable bulkhead, 5m diving tower, two 1m springboards and two 3m springboards, two Tarzan ropes, and a whirlpool. The Zone, a 5100 sqft state-of-the-art facility including over 60 pieces of cardio equipment as well as strength training equipment. Fitness and Dance studios are located on the upper level as are classrooms. The lower level includes the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium, equipped with drop down curtains that can divide the gymnasium into four separate areas. Each area has one basketball, one volleyball and three badminton courts, that will accommodate recreational activities, intramural sports and Convocation. It is 23900 sqft with a ceiling height of 30 ft The Beddis gymnasium 200m suspended track that has a rubberized surface. The Bob Davis gymnasium is home to the Brock Badgers Basketball, Volleyball and Wrestling teams. The Leo Leblanc Rowing Centre is the training facility for the Badger varsity rowing teams and the St. Catharines Rowing Club. The eight-person tank allows rowers to simulate on-water training.

Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex (CFHBRC)
The Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex will advance Canada's science and technology infrastructure and position Brock as a leader in human health and biosciences. CFHBRC researcher, who include six Canada Research Chairs, conduct world-class research in areas such as cancer treatments, infectious diseases, biotechnology and green chemistry. The facility will have a business incubator to forge partnerships between research and industry, and give rise to an economic cluster in advanced health studies and biomanufacturing in the Niagara Region. The complex will also be home to the Niagara Campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. The CFHBRC will be developed based on principles of sustainability and quality environments, following the Canadian Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system. A LEED-certified CFHBRC facility will support the University’s vision for quality state-of-the-art facilities with innovative design, quality materials and sustainable systems. Construction of the CFHBRC began in August 2009, and the first phase of the project will be completed in March 2011.

Residence
Brock's St. Catharines campus is currently home to 2,391 students, in 6 separate residences. The majority of these are first-year students, though there is a sizable population of upper-year students who live in residence as well. Traditional-style residences are serviced by Sodexho food services, who operate the DeCew and Lowenberger Dining Halls, and are also responsible for a number of other miscellaneous residence tasks as well.

DeCew Residence

DeCew is the oldest of the Residences, built in 1969. DeCew contains 411 beds in a traditional residence style building.

Gordon and Betty Vallee Residence

Gordon and Betty Vallee Residence, commonly referred to simply as Vallee, is another traditional-style residence built in 1995. All of the rooms are single-rooms with a washroom shared between two students.

Alan Earp Residence

Alan Earp Residence was officially opened in 2001, and is home to 255 students. The building is very similar to Vallee Residence, in that all of its rooms are single-rooms with a washroom shared between two students.

Arnie Lowenberger Residence

Arnie Lowenberger Residence is the newest of Brock University's residences, and officially opened midway through 2003. The residence building is named for Dr. Arnie Lowenberger, Professor emeritus, past Athletic Director and Dean of Physical Education. Dr. Lowenberger was the first Director of Residences for Brock University.

Village Residence Village Residence currently contains 888 beds for students. It was originally opened in 1989, though expansions followed in 1993, 1998, and 2002. It is one of Brock's two non-traditional style residences, where 5 students in three single-rooms and one double-room share a common living space, as well as a kitchen. Village is not serviced by Sodexo food services, though students living there have the option of purchasing meal plans to use at the university's Dining Halls.

Quarry View Residence

Quarry View Residence opened in the fall of 2003, along with Lowenberger. It contains 288 beds, which are divided into 3- or 4-person units entirely in single-rooms. Quarry View, like Village, is a non-traditional residence where students have a common living area and kitchen.

Hamilton Campus
Brock University also maintains a campus in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. The primary user of this the facility is Faculty of Education, specifically the Pre-service Department and Graduate Studies in Education and Continuing Education.

The Hamilton Campus was officially opened November 2, 2000. It is a fully functioning campus complete with modern computer labs, an Instructional Resource Centre / Library, gymnasium, large classrooms, full and part-time faculty office space, food services, conference facilities, a board room, and green spaces within the courtyards and surrounding lawns of the campus.

Downtown Campus
Work is to begin in 2010 on the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines.

Alumni
For Notable Alumni and Affiliates, please see: List of Brock University people.

Brock Alumni are represented by the Brock University Alumni Association. The Alumni Association is an autonomous organization run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Brock Alumni also stay in touch through the website brockpeople.ca, an online forum which also produces the Alumni E-magazine Surgit-E!