Brock University

History
Opened in 1964, Brock University is named for Maj.-General Sir Isaac Brock, who died at nearby Queenston Heights in the War of 1812. His last words — "Surgite! Push on!" — have become the University's motto. But the seeds of the University were sown long before the doors first opened. Brock’s story is about a community that rose up and built the institution it wanted for its future.

In the late 1950s, there was growing public discussion about how Niagara should have its own university. Its founders wanted young people to get a good education without having to leave the area. The grassroots sentiment became a movement when, in November 1957, the Allanburg Women’s Institute asked the Ontario government to “favourably consider the placing of a university in the Niagara Peninsula.” Momentum spread. By fall 1962, the Brock Founders Committee was incorporated. They received approval to create a new university, then developed an administrative and academic plan. Then they began raising money.

After years of meetings and fundraising, Brock opened in September 1964. It had 127 students in a refurbished refrigeration factory at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment in St. Catharines. In 1966 the landmark Brock Tower was completed, and faculties began moving “up the hill” to the University’s permanent home atop the escarpment.

The campus steadily expanded to keep pace with the demand for a Brock education. It's a pattern that continues with the construction of world-class research labs, a landmark fine arts complex and an international students’ centre.

Today the University also operates a campus in Hamilton, Ont., primarily for teacher education. Brock serves its community as a cultural, academic and recreational centre, bringing excellent facilities to the people who created the University all those years ago. We are committed to building our community and to fostering an environment that serves our students and our neighbours.
(Text from www.brocku.ca)

Productive Partnerships
"The success of our university is clearly reflected in the success of the region. We continue to fuel this knowledge-based economy with talented, bright young minds. Our students and faculty are constantly collaborating with local business to develop and transfer technology and knowledge developed at the institution. This continuing flow of intelligence assists in placing the Niagara region above the provincial average for R&D."

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