Brock University

History

In 1963 the Brock University Founders' Committee, chaired by Arthur Schmon and co-chaired by William B Gunning, offered Dr. James A. Gibson the invitation to become the founding president.

Brock University was established by the passage of the Brock University Act by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1964. When the university first opened in September 1964, classes were held at the St. Paul Street United Church in downtown St. Catharines for 13 weeks until the Glenridge Campus was completely renovated.

Brock's Glenridge campus was officially opened on October 19, 1964 with Gibson as the university's founding president. In 1996 Brock University honoured Gibson by naming the university library in his honour.

Richard L. Hearn was appointed the university's inaugural chancellor in 1967. Canadian Cree actress Shirley Cheechoo was Chancellor from 2015 to 2020.

Brock University is named after Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who commanded the British and Canadian forces during the War of 1812. Although the British and Canadian forces went on to win, Brock lost his life during the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, fought 20 km (12 mi) from the present-day site of the campus. His last words are said to have been Surgite! (Latin for "push on") — now used as the university's motto. For his contribution to Canada, Brock was voted the 28th Greatest Canadian in a 2004 poll, conducted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Hamilton Campus (2000-2023) and Burlington Campus (2023-present)

Brock University also maintained a satellite campus in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. The primary user of this facility was the Faculty of Education, specifically the Teacher Education Department and Graduate Studies in Education and Continuing Education.

The Hamilton Campus was officially opened November 2, 2000. It was a campus with computer labs, an Instructional Resource Centre / Library, gymnasium, large classrooms, full and part-time faculty office space, food services, conference facilities, a board room, and green spaces within the courtyards and surrounding lawns of the campus.

The Hamilton Campus closed in 2023 and, after two years in an interim location in the former Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, re-opened in October 2025 in the Robert Bateman Community Centre (formerly the Robert Bateman High School).

The Goodman School of Business (formerly the Brock University Faculty of Business) is one of only five per cent (5%) of business schools worldwide to attain accreditation by the AACSB. Goodman also has a Beta Gamma Sigma chapter. The Goodman School of Business has two pathways accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario (CPA Ontario): the Master of Business Administration, Accounting stream (CPA/MBA), and the combined Bachelor of Accounting program and (or equivalent) Master of Accountancy program (MAcc).

Containing fifteen per cent (15%) of the students at Brock University, the Goodman School of Business offers undergraduate programs in accounting and business with Coop and Duo degree options.

Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts

Construction began in the fall of 2012 on the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines. The facility was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and included the adaptive reuse of the Canada Hair Cloth Company, a five-storey brick and timber frame building from the 19th century.

After extensive work totalling $46 million, the Walker School's new home opened its doors in 2015, becoming the newest centre for the arts and culture industry in Niagara Region. The purpose-built facility houses 50 full-time faculty, part-time instructors and staff and more than 500 students. It will serve students pursuing careers as artists, theatre directors, actors, musicians, cultural theorists and skilled teachers. The creation of the centre was hoped to regenerate downtown St. Catharines and gain traffic from the influx of students. Brock chose not to include food services in the facility to further integrate student life and activity with the downtown neighbourhood.

The Walker School is neighbours with St. Catharines' FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, located on adjacent lands. Construction of the $100 plus-million project, which was also designed by Diamond Schmitt, was completed in time for the Fall 2015 semester. The centre opened officially in November, with Brock agreeing to use two of the four theatres in the centre for daytime lectures, music recital and performance.