To support Sir Wilfred Grenfell College�s transition to full university status, the Provincial Government has appointed Dr. Adrian Fowler, former principal of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and Joe O�Neill, chief executive officer with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, as co-chairs of a stakeholder advisory committee. This committee will help develop options for the Provincial Government�s consideration, including approaches in governance, student services and financial issues.

"I am pleased Dr. Fowler and Mr. O�Neill have agreed to assume these important roles," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education. "Grenfell College is about to gain independence and I�m confident Dr. Fowler and Mr. O�Neill will provide the experience and ability to ensure a smooth transition for both campuses."

In April 2007, the Provincial Government released an independent report which recommended two universities within one Memorial University system. This system would be presided over by one Board of Regents, with each university having its own senate, budget and executive.

With their respective backgrounds, Dr. Fowler and Mr. O'Neill have considerable experience to lead a group of stakeholders that will include members of the Board of Regents, student representatives, officials from Memorial and Grenfell campuses, and representatives of the Provincial Government. The recommendations of the stakeholder committee will be considered in the development of the final implementation plan being spearheaded by the Provincial Government.

"Moving ahead with university status for Grenfell will allow the college to increase its contribution to the economic and cultural development of the west coast, and will help it increase enrolment and offer more programming," said Minister Burke. "Grenfell has already proven that it is capable of great things. It is time to build on its current success and in so doing, boost economic and cultural growth for the entire region. We have stated clearly that education is paramount to our growth and development. This is one more piece of work that is an example of positioning our educational facilities to promote economic development."

-30-

Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

Mr. O�Neill was appointed Chief Executive Officer (Acting) of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission on June 3, 2005. No stranger to the business and labour community, Mr. O�Neill�s down-to-earth personality and professional approach to labour negotiations have made him one of Newfoundland and Labrador�s most respected and insightful labour relations mediators. He is a former Deputy Minister of Labour and most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of the Labour Relations Agency. He is a recipient of the province�s Public Service Award of Excellence, the Queen�s Jubilee Medal and the Government of Canada�s Merit Award for Exceptional Distinguished Service.

Dr. Fowler was educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Oxford University, and the University of Ottawa, where he completed his PhD. Elected Rhodes Scholar for Newfoundland in 1966, he began his university career as a lecturer in English at Memorial�s St. John�s Campus in 1971. In 1975, he was one of the founding faculty of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook. Dr. Fowler has chaired several committees and authored or co-authored several reports pertaining to the development of degree programs at Grenfell College. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of Grenfell�s degree programs in fine arts. He was a member of the Memorial University Senate for a total of 12 years, six years as an elected senator and six as an administrator, and he served on committees of Senate and on administrative search committees for the university. At Grenfell, he was successively coordinator of English, vice-principal and principal of the college.