The recent opening of the Grenfell Campus Office of Engagement demonstrates a commitment to partnership and collaboration with the people and places of Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.

“The Grenfell Office of Engagement is responsible for implementing the Public Engagement Framework of Memorial University here on our campus, and is the new home of Community Education and the Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre,” said Dr. Mary Bluechardt, vice-president (Grenfell Campus). “Engagement events over the past few years have highlighted the strength of the relationship between Grenfell Campus and the broader community – such as our Community-University Expo 2013. The substantial amount of engagement and collaborative activity happening at Grenfell provides an excellent foundation for the work of Grenfell's Office of Engagement, which aims to mobilize faculty, staff and students in the public engagement arena even more so.”

The Vice-President’s (Grenfell Campus) Awards for Engagement were presented to those at Grenfell who demonstrate the vision of the Public Engagement Framework.

Grenfell Campus Student Union president Chelsea Noel was recognized for a commitment to making Grenfell a safe, gender-inclusive place and for the development of partnerships that address important issues like transphobia/homophobia/sexism and violence against the LGBTQ community, planned parenthood, a continued tuition freeze and mental health awareness.

Staff member Charlotte Jones was honoured for her involvement with the Rotary Arts Centre, the League of Artists of Newfoundland and the Atlantic Provinces Art Gallery Association. In her role as director of the Grenfell Campus Art Gallery, Ms. Jones partners with many community partners to ensure public access, and has consistently been involved in engagement activities such as school tours of the gallery,  public art events and  printmaking sessions with long-term care residents.

Finally, Louise McGillis and Crystal Rose from the Ferriss Hodgett Library received the faculty award for their success in establishing the library as a public space where the Grenfell and broader communities congregate to celebrate, share and learn. Evidence of their engagement success includes the WestRock Community Centre Mural unveiling, Open Access publishing work and an involvement in community-based research projects. One of their most important achievements in supporting engagement at Grenfell was their commitment to bringing the Community-University Expo, an international conference, to Corner Brook in 2013 and through collaboration with the Rural Secretariat and the City of Corner Brook.

Engagement Week is ongoing at Grenfell, with activities including:

• Friday, March 20, 4:30 p.m. – Fit for the Queen: Creating the Inaugural Canada House Windows Showcase in Trafalgar Square (Ferriss Hodgett  Library)
• Tuesday, March 24, 12 p.m. – Lunch and Learn: The Impact of Experiential Learning (AS2011)
• Wednesday, March 25, 11:30 a.m. – We Love our Community Partners (AS Extension atrium)