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At a meeting launching the Brock University project, tribute was paid to Mrs. Grover Egerter, second from Iett, who first pushed the idea of a university in the Niagara district by introducing a resolution in her Women's Institute, the Allonburg branch. In the picture, left to right, are: Premier John Roberts; Mrsr Egerter; Mrs. Grant Bearss who, as District President of the Institutes of Welland County was chosen to represent them an the Educational Committee dealing with the Univer- sity: Mr. Arthur A. Schmon, chair- man of Brock University Founders' Committee. at Welland District Annual in May 1957 and forwarded to the Hamilton Convention Area. Following the normal procedure for a resolu- tion and being passed at the Convention Area, it then came before the Federated Women‘s institutes of Ontario. The provincial Board of Directors decided in favour of the resolution and a delegation met with the Department of Education. This delegation was supported by Mr, Ellis Morningstar, M.P.P. for Welland Riding. However, the reply from the Minister of Education at the time, Dr. W. J. Dunlop, was to the effect that funds spent for univer- sity expansion would be used on existing in- stitutions and not in the establishment of new ones. The discouraging reply was received by the Welland District Board of Directors in June 1958. The members were disappointed but determined not to accept the rejection without further effort. At this same time, an almost identical re- solution requesting a university was presented to Welland County Council by Reeve M. L. Swart of Thorold Township. Since Women‘s Institutes have always endeavoured to co-0p- erate with Municipal Councils, a letter was sent from the District Board to the County Council, offering aSsistance and support. The Council then invited the Women‘s Institutes to send a representative to sit on the Education a] Committee dealing with the university. The District President, Mrs. Grant Bearss. was selected as the Women‘s Institute representaâ€" live, The Welland County Educational Commit- tee gradually expanded to include Lincoln County and the cities of Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland and in October 1958 became known as the Niagara Peninsula Joint Committee on Higher Education. Mrs. Bearss. still representing the Women’s Institutes, was chosen secretary of the committee; and al- though the personnel of the committee of elect- ed representatives has changed over the years, FALL 1963 Mrs. Bearss remains the secretary. a charter member of the group. The first task of the Joint Committee was to substantiate by facts and figures the need for a university in the Peninsula. This was done by surveys which were compiled into reports with graphs and charts. The Commit- tee investigated the different ways in which other universities had been established and dc‘ cided that the most effective method in this locality would he through :1 Citizens’ Com- mittee. The municipalities had been supportâ€" ing the Joint Committee and as clcctcd rcp- rcsentatives there were limitations. Eventually. interested and influential men in the area as» sumed the responsibility of promoting the project. The Citizens' Committee became the Founders' Committee. The Founders' (‘ommiltce selected :1 name for the projectâ€"Brock Universityâ€"[hon dc- cidcd on a sitc~outsidc of St. Catharincs, at Dech Falls, in the centre of the Niagara Peninsula. Brock University was formally launched :it a dinner held in Niagara Falls on June 4. 1963. Premier John Roharls. Minister of Education. had toured the site. was well pleased with the work of the Founders' Committee and an‘ nounccd a generous grant from the Provinâ€" cial Government. Two very proud women, Mrs. Egertcr and Mrs. Bearss. Wct‘c special guests at the dinner. As representatives of the Women's institute they rcceivcd the tribute paid their organiza- tion for the vision and contribution made by the members. Although the first building for Brock Uni- versity will not be completed until [966, Dr. S. H. Decks. Vice-President of Administru~ tion. has announced that classes could be started beforehand in temporary quarters which are readily available in the Niagara Peninsula. A vision and a resolution in l957â€"an ac- complishment in 1963. From a small idea has grown a mighty forceâ€"Brock University. 27