Dr. Angus A. Bruneau to be inducted into Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
The founding dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland has been recognized with the highest honour bestowed by the province.
Dr. Angus A. Bruneau (OC, Ph.D, P.Eng) has been inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, as announced by Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie on Aug. 22. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting Newfoundland and Labrador and its residents in an outstanding manner.
Dr. Bruneau will officially receive the honour during a ceremony at Government House on Sept. 13.
"Dr. Bruneau is a very deserving recipient of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. I take great pride in congratulating him on earning a spot in a very prestigious group," said Dr. Ramachandran Venkatesan, Dean pro tempore, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University. "Dr. Bruneau played a pivotal role in establishing the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and his guidance and vision helped shape its programs and direction for many years. He has made several outstanding contributions to Memorial University and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and it is fitting he is now receiving the highest honour the province can award."
After working to establish the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial, Dr. Bruneau went on to become the faculty's first dean, holding the position from 1968 to 1974. He played a significant role in launching the faculty's co-operative education program, one of only two such programs available in Canada at that time. Thanks in part to his early leadership, Memorial's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is now among the most respected in the country.
"Dr. Bruneau's contributions to this province are many. He has been behind many major developments in research, development and innovation throughout his career," Dr. Venkatesan added.
Dr. Bruneau's support of Memorial University continues to this day. In 2007 he and his wife Dr. Jean Bruneau made a generous donation of $1 million to the university, a gift that continues to fund the Angus Bruneau Student Leadership and Innovation Fund in Engineering, which provides life-changing opportunities to students in Memorial's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Dr. Bruneau was also responsible for creating the Centre for Cold Ocean Resources Engineering (C-CORE) in 1975, which he chaired for its initial decade. He was named to the 2011 Junior Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame, was the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Patron of the Arts winner in 2008 along with his wife Dr. Jean Bruneau, and was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 1983.
He is among eight people elected to the Order of Newfoundland this year.
"These men and women exemplify the reasons for which the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador was established," said Mr. Crosbie in a media release announcing this year's recipients. "These outstanding individuals, through passion and dedication to the endeavours which each has pursued, have contributed immensely to the strong, proud and caring community which characterizes Newfoundland and Labrador today. I will be honoured to recognize their achievements and contributions by investing each into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador."
Joining Dr. Bruneau in the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador on Sept. 13 will be Alton Best, Sister Elizabeth Davis, Frances Ennis, Susan Green, Dr. Wayne Nesbit, Ches Penney and Frances Vardy. Lanier Phillips will be inducted as an honorary member of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Connections to Memorial University
Dr. Nesbit is a member of Memorial's Faculty of Education and is an inspirational teacher and influential scholar who has championed special education to generations of teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Dr. Nesbit received the President's Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1993.
Sr. Davis was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Memorial in 2002. As the first CEO of the St. John's Health Care Corporation, Sr. Elizabeth was faced with the daunting task of amalgamating six of the province's busiest health-care institutions. Her leadership abilities ensured the inevitable changes were undertaken with genuine sensitivity to the needs of clients and the impact on the lives of staff.
Mr. Penney was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Memorial in 2005 in recognition of his success as an entrepreneur, his contributions to the economy and workforce of the province and his generosity to the community. Mr. Penney is a former Memorial student and has contributed a number of major donations to the school.
Dr. Phillips received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Memorial in 2008.
"The Order is an honour bestowed on individuals whose personal and professional contributions enrich the lives of all residents," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, in a media release issued on Aug. 22. "This year's recipients have rightfully earned this recognition and on behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, I offer them our sincere appreciation for their incredible contributions."
