As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial has a special obligation to the people of this province. Established as a memorial to the Newfoundlanders who lost their lives during active service in the First and Second World Wars, Memorial University serves to honour that great sacrifice through educating the people of this province.
What started as a small teachers’ training school nearly 100 years ago has since grown into a comprehensive doctoral university offering more than 100 degree programs. During this time Memorial University has fostered the talents of many successful individuals. Our alumni have gone on to become leaders in business, industry, education, science, government and many entrepreneurial endeavours locally and throughout the world.
As of 2014, the university averages an enrolment of approximately 14,400 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students every year. That’s a significant increase from the 55 students who originally enrolled in the first class in 1925.
Since then, many remarkable events have occurred, each one helping shape Memorial into the distinguished university it is today. You can discover them all in Our Story.