Main

Welcome Message

Welcome to Brock University, a very special place. Among the many reasons Brock is a special place is because it is a university, the only human institution solely dedicated to the creation of knowledge and enlightenment (research and creativity), the dissemination of that knowledge (teaching and learning), and service to humanity and society. Brock chose to begin its recent Strategic Mandate proposal by using British Poet Laureate John Masefield’s words to describe what he refers to as the “splendid, beautiful and enduring” nature of a university:

It is a place where those who hate ignorance may strive to know, where those who perceive truth may strive to make others see; where seekers and learners alike, banded together in the search for knowledge, will honour thought in all its finer ways, will welcome thinkers in distress or in exile, will uphold ever the dignity of thought and learning and will exact standards in these things.

As long as we hold to these ideals, the answer to the question “What are Brock’s strengths” is simple – we produce imaginative critical thinkers who uphold the highest human values through their disciplined search for truth, understanding and the creative spark. Through our libraries we open the doors to the cultural and intellectual heritage of humanity. At Brock we understand that the major benefit that accrues to the entire society from the activities of the university is the presence of an educated, intelligent, articulate, rational and productive citizenry. University graduates have high participation rates in the labour force, enhanced incomes and low unemployment rates.

The writers, poets, scientists, researchers, health care professionals, teachers, social workers, social critics, engineers, business and labour leaders, entrepreneurs, and others that we educate and train form the foundation and core of many key social institutions in Niagara, Ontario and beyond. The ability to think critically, communicate effectively, work with others and be adaptable and imaginative will remain the traits most sought after by employers in the decades to come. The University not only provides our students with skills that are immediately marketable, but also instill in these women and men the ability and desire to read, think analytically and critically, solve problems, communicate, find and use information, and work with people. The incredible pace of knowledge creation and dissemination and the astounding technological changes that are occurring are producing a workplace, the needs of which literally change on a daily basis. We assist individuals to adjust, survive and cope in such an environment by providing an education that equips them with the ethical, literary, artistic, communicative, social, personal, political and cultural knowledge and skills that are required in order to survive in the global world.

Our Vision statement declares boldly that, among other things, Brock “Makes a difference in the lives of individuals in our Brock community, the Niagara region, Canada, and the world.” We do this by cultivating and promoting the inherent intelligence, curiosity, initiative, and drive to make the world a better place that characterizes our species. Please visit our Strategic Plan (elsewhere on my page) for a concise statement of the Values that drive us, Values that include integrity, respect, innovation, commitments to students and sustainability and stewardship in all we do.

So, whether you enter our halls as a student, staff or faculty member, or a visiting guest, you are most welcome. We hope you detect and are touched by a sense of wonderment and joy that is generated in an environment dedicated to stretching one’s intellect in conversation, research, discovery, instruction and creativity.

Murray Knuttila