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St. Thomas University Media Release Communications
and Media Relations |
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March 24, 2005 St. Thomas University To Name New Building Margaret Norrie McCain Hall Fredericton – The Board of Governors of St. Thomas University is pleased to announce that its new academic building will be named Margaret Norrie McCain Hall. In making the decision, the Board recognized Mrs. McCain’s outstanding public service to New Brunswick, her focus on education and her active support for artistic and philanthropic causes. “We are honoured that Mrs. McCain has agreed to our proposal. Through her commitment to public service, she is a role model for students as they complete their university studies and begin to chart their own path through life,” said Dr. Daniel O’Brien, President and Vice Chancellor. The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain received a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Toronto and has received several Honourary Doctor of Laws Degrees, including one from St. Thomas University. She was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick in 1994 and served until 1997. During her career, Mrs. McCain has advanced education and societal issues at the provincial and national levels. She was a member of the Mount Allison University Board of Regents and served as Chancellor of the University. She is a founding member of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation. In 1998, Mrs. McCain was appointed co-chair of the “Early Years Study by the Ontario Secretariat for Children and later co-chaired a Commission on Early Learning and Child Development for Toronto. The need for the new academic building reflects growth in enrolment over the past several years and continued emphasis on a superior learning environment. St. Thomas will construct the 37,000 square foot Margaret Norrie McCain Hall to provide additional classrooms, a student study hall, research and project rooms, and faculty offices. The architectural plan for the building is nearing completion and construction will begin in the spring of 2005. It is expected that the building will be available for students and faculty by 2006. “St. Thomas has been able to assure a student-centered academic environment with small classes, quality core disciplines and innovative professional and applied programmes. With a new academic building that has more classrooms and study areas, the quality of the educational environment for students will be enhanced,” said Dr. O’Brien. In the coming weeks, Dr. O’Brien said that the University would be announcing the national and provincial building campaign co-chairs. Media Contact – Jeffrey Carleton, St. Thomas University, (506) 452-0522 or carleton@stu.ca. |
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