The Transformative 2000s
A new millenium brought on bigger and bolder ideas for the University's potential. Even by early 2000, the University administration had made plans for Brock's largest construction project in history. The fifty million dollar project included: two academic buildings, a health and fitness centre, a student residence, and renovations that included the Faculty of Education building. The Brock News served as a platform for regular updates during the enormous construction undertaking. On 26 April 2002, the Walker Complex was officially opened and housed the new Community Health and Fitness Centre, the Leo Leblanc Rowing Centre, and the existing Physical Education facilities. By September of the same year, Brock University was celebrating the opening of the entire addition of the Academic North and Academic South buildings which included the Computer Commons, 80,000 square feet of lecture halls, offices, and labs to accomodate an additional 1,700 students.
"The Complex is named in recognition of a $1 million gift to 'Good, Better, Brock! The campaign for Brock University' made by Norris and John Walker and their families". Brock News, 17 April 2002.
“Brock launches largest construction project in its history”, 14 June 2000
Walker Complex officially opened April 2002
Academic South (and North) Building opened September 2002
"When Brock students enter their classrooms today in the new Walker Complex, they are going to think they have entered into a scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey. The state-of-the-art lecture halls include electronic blackboards and soft marker boards with projectors that bring satellite feeds, video conferencing, streaming video, high-tech digital television, high-speed internet, VHS and DVDs capability directly into the classroom." Brock News, 10 September 2002.
In the Spring of 2000, Brock University purchased Briarwood School in Hamilton to expand the offerings of the Faculty of Education. The University had been renting this space since 1996 and decided it was worth acquiring the building and renovating to suit the needs of the growing number of applications to the program. In the year 2000 alone, the applications increased by thirty-nine percent, requiring the school to expand by providing a campus to students in Hamilton and surrounding areas. In November 2000, Brock University Hamilton Campus, the second largest Faculty of Education in Ontario, officially opened.
Hamilton Campus Opens, November 2000
Brock University Hamilton Campus
In 2003, Brock University acquired the Rodman Hall Arts Centre after an agreement was reached with the City of St. Catharines. The University created programming and held noteworthy events featuring Canadian artists. There was again an opportunity to reach the community by creating purpose for the building. Rodman Hall was extremely useful for the students in the Visual Arts Department as it offered a space to work and exhibit, but it also provided considerable programming opportunities for those in the community, child and adult alike.
Rodman Hall
Since the Summer of 1997, David Atkinson had held the position of University President. This would come to end in 2005 when Atkinson accepted the position of President of Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Atkinson left a permanent impression by remodelling Brock University and launching a mass evolution of the campus with the help from a huge fundraising campaign.
It was Terry Boak who was appointed by the Board of Trustees to be Acting University President from August 2005 until Summer 2006. A new University President, Jack Lightstone, was appointed in late 2005 but did not officially fill the role until the following Summer of 2006. On 1 July 2006, Jack Lightstone took on his new position and Boak returned to his role as Brock University Vice-President, Academic and Provost.
Terry Boak, Acting University President 2005-2006
Four Brock University Presidents: David Atkinson, Terry White, Jack Lightstone, Alan Earp
Jack Lightstone, President of Brock University 2006-2016
“Jack Lightstone begins busy schedule”, 12 July 2006
The expansion from a fifty million dollar campaign that began in 2000 was not enough to let the University idle. At the close of this decade, a new campaign began in order to raise seventy-five million dollars for a "Bold New Brock". The official campaign was announced by President Jack Lightstone in March 2009. This campaign was created to finance new campus facilities, assist with research funding, and attract leading minds to the University.
“Making History”, 18 March 2009