The growth of teacher education at Brock was in the spotlight Monday as the University opened its new Burlington Campus and the province announced a $5.2-million investment in programming.
Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg cuts a ribbon alongside the Ontario Minister of Colleges, Universities Research Excellence and Security, Nolan Quinn, to officially open Brock's Burlington Campus on Monday, Oct. 6. From left: Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries; Meaghan Rusnell, Vice-President, External; Mary-Louise Vanderlee, Dean, Faculty of Education; Arja Vaino-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic; Quinn; Rigg; Natalie Piette, Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington; Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou, Dean, Applied Health Sciences; and Tim Kenyon, Vice-President, Research.
Brock celebrated its new modern learning environment in the City of Burlington's Robert Bateman Community Centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and by welcoming the Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, to deliver news of funding that will support 360 new teacher education spaces at the University.
The Burlington Campus is a hub for Brock's Teacher Education and Applied Disability Studies programs, supported by state-of-the-art instructional science labs, active learning spaces in the arts, and bookable study and research rooms. The campus first welcomed students for in-person classes this September.
"The Burlington Campus represents a strong step forward toward Brock's strategic goals. It's a reflection of our growth, our dedication to innovation and our deep belief in the power of higher education to transform lives and communities," said Lesley Rigg, Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor. "Teachers play a significant role in our communities, and we're grateful that now, through the province's investment in Brock, we'll welcome more students into our innovative programs that are readying the next generation of education leaders to have a meaningful impact."
The funding will support new teacher education spaces at Brock's St. Catharines and Burlington campuses.
"High-quality teachers ensure our children learn the skills they need to thrive in their future education and careers," said Minister Quinn. "By expanding Brock University's Teacher Education program, our government is bringing more excellent teachers to communities across the province to prepare our students for rewarding careers."
Guests at Monday's event toured the new campus, which also features a Brock University Library space in partnership with the Burlington Public Library, a satellite office of the Hadiya'dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre, and Professional and Continuing Studies programming designed to serve and engage the broader community.
"We are proud to welcome Brock University to the Robert Bateman Community Centre and the City of Burlington. We thank the province for this investment, which enhances our vision of creating vibrant, inclusive spaces where learning and community thrive together," said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. "Brock's presence here is a testament to the power of collaboration. We are proud partners in training the new generation of teachers who will, in turn, train the next generation of leaders in our community our children."
Brock is honoured to share the community centre with "incredible community partners whose presence enriches the campus experience and strengthens the ties between education and community," Rigg said. "We thank them for welcoming us so warmly and for walking alongside us.
"We're excited about what this means for our students: more opportunities, more access and more ways to engage with the world around them," she said. "This new campus is also a chance for Brock to continue building connections with the Burlington community, which we look forward to seeing grow and thrive."
