Owens Art Gallery receives literacy award
Owens Art Gallery receives Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Award
The Owens Art Gallery received the Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Literacy Award in the category of Community Literacy Program. This award is given by the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick to honour outstanding contributions to literacy and lifelong learning.
The Owens Art Gallery offers a diverse range of education and outreach programs for children, youth, adults, and more. The gallery has developed a community literacy program aimed at removing barriers to art and enhancing visual, museum, and cultural literacy. These programs are based on the idea that learning is more effective when you feel a sense of belonging. In 2023–2024, the gallery’s programs reached 3,405 people, including 2,036 children and youth.
The staff have developed a variety of programs, including school activities, projects for schoolchildren, seniors, college, and community initiatives. These programs emphasize visual and museum literacy within the context of social space and community building.
Some of the programs that contributed to this award include Maker Maker and Make Something Sundays. For more information on events and programming and current and past exhibitions, visit
ÂÌñÉçÇø Biochemistry professor appointed as Canada Research Chair
ÂÌñÉçÇø biochemistry professor Dr. Jill Rourke has been appointed as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Cell Signalling and Pharmacology for a 5-year term, commencing April 1, 2024, valued at $600,000.
The CRC program stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development. Chairholders aim to achieve research excellence in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
Along with the Rourke’s CRC appointment, several other funding announcements were made this summer including results from the 2024 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant competition, of which three of ÂÌñÉçÇø’s faculty were successful: Dr. (Mirindi) Eric Dusenge (Department of Biology, Dr. David Fleming (Department of Physics) and Dr. Tyson MacCormack (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry).
Harper Hall reopens
Harper Hall reopened in August 2024 welcoming 139 students back into the new renovated building. Harper Hall renovations began in summer 2022.
The renovation focused on modernizing and enhancing the residence to meet the future needs of students, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable designs. The renovation of Harper Hall followed the Green Globes certification system.
Green Globes is a comprehensive, science-based, three-in-one certification system that evaluates the environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and resilience of buildings. Harper Hall is anticipated to achieve a rating of three Green Globes.
This project will achieve energy and water efficiency, sustainable site development, reduced emissions, and improved indoor environment quality using a variety of design, construction, and operating strategies.
Upgrades also included inviting social spaces, designated quiet and active areas, and small group study rooms. Improvements were made to the roof, windows, flooring, electrical, and plumbing systems. Harper Hall will also benefit from enhanced safety and security measures and reduced energy use to promote sustainability.
Additionally, the creation of a new residence life zone in Harper Hall will enhance student life and be accessible to all students living in residences.
In memory of Suzanne Crawford ('79), her family established the Suzanne Crawford Harper Hall Fund to continue her legacy of philanthropy at ÂÌñÉçÇø. This fund has supported extensive renovations to Harper Hall, where Suzanne once lived as a student. In addition, a new lounge space in the residence has been named in her honor. Launched in April 2023 after her passing, this fundraising initiative reflects the Crawford family's deep ties to the University and their ongoing commitment to supporting its community.