Commemorating WWI

How

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

PRESIDENTIAL WWI CENTENARY COMMEMORATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE

A Memorial College

“It will not only be a monument to the memory of the men who died so gloriously on the field of honor, but an inspiration to those who enter its portals, whether as teachers or pupils, to engage in the work of educational reconstruction with the same desire to win as animated those in whose honor and to whom immortal fame the building will be erected.”

St. John's Board of Trade, Evening Telegram, 28 Jan. 1919

Memorial University College, Parade Street, St. John's, 1923.Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL NA-39-97), St. John's, Newfoundland.

Memorial Remembers

“That in freedom of learning their cause and sacrifice might not be forgotten”

Memorial Wall, 1961

WWI Centennial Steering Committee

• Stimulate, coordinate, guide and oversee the development of university activities, events, exhibits, special projects and other initiatives to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I, 2014-2019.

What to commemorate?

Pte. Maher in B Company’s Officer’s Mess Room, Suvla Bay, 1915. (PANL VA-37-3), St. John’s.

Barbed wire at Beaumont Hamel, 1916.(PANL NA-2732)

What to commemorate?

• Memorial University is a living memorial. • Memorial University embodies an

aspiration of those who served: to build a better world.

• The WWI experience is an inspiration to strive for excellence and to give back to society.

WWI Commemoration Planning Timeline

• Fall 2011: Memorial invited to join Provincial Stakeholders Group for WWI commemorations coordination

• Spring 2012: Memorial formed Presidential Steering Committee to guide university’s WWI commemoration planning

• Summer - Fall 2012: Sub-committee undertook public consultation process to gather suggestions, with support of heritage consultant

WWI Commemoration Planning Timeline

• December 2012: Steering Committee reviewed input; developed recommendations and identified resource requirements

• Winter/Spring 2013: Recommendations considered and initial resources identified

• Fall 2013: Planning ‘fronts’ announced and advisory committee formed

• Winter 2014: Detailed planning and finalization of program

Academic programsPhysical

commemorationsLibrary, archives and

resources

Marketing plan

Physical commemorations

New and redeveloped commemorative spaces, monuments or projects at university locations• Ceremonies• Commemorative naming opportunities• New scholarships

Academic programmingWorking group of academics to explore and develop WWI-relevant areas of study and research in teaching and learning, research strategy and public engagement, including:• New degree programs• Centre for peace and conflict studies• WWI focus in existing degree programs• Activities, talks • Symposia, conferences• On-line content• Study abroad programs

Library, archives and resources

Collaborative development of physical, digital and web-based research collections on WWI, conflict and society• Displays, exhibitions• Symposia• Research projects• Collections and historical

information dissemination in social media, other new channels

Marketing Promote greater awareness of Memorial’s status as a living memorial, including:

Use of university's official colours and forget-me-not flower

Provision of marketing support for university’s WWI commemoration program

Other tactics to engage university community in commemorations

Resources

• WWI commemorations coordinator• TBC in 2014-15 budget:

Flagship event supportProject fundingMarketing support

Engaging the university community

The steering committee is overseeing the final planning phase: • Units are invited to play

a role• Individuals and groups

can participate• Support and advice are

available

What will you do? Let’s talk!• Add or highlight WWI relevant

content in your existing programs• Create an event• Other initiatives?

Contact us

• ww1@mun.ca• www.mun.ca/

commemoration • https://

www.facebook.com/pages/ Memorial-Universitys-First-World-War-Commemoration-Activities-2014-2019/203198516530408