Neil Gall Endowment Fund to Support Ocean Technology Students Announced

A leader in the province’s ocean technology sector will be honored with the establishment of a new memorial scholarship at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University

Monday, June 13, 2016

The Neil Gall Memorial Leadership Scholarship in Ocean Technology Endowment Fund has been created through a collective gift from his family, friends, employers and colleagues, and a significant fundraising effort organized by MEOPAR (The Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network), where Neil thrived as its executive director before his passing in Jan. 2016.

Neil Gall was a natural relationship builder with a successful career in oceans related research, development and policy.  He held several leading roles in government, research and academic environments before joining MEOPAR, including his role as the executive director of “Bridges,” an ocean technology marketing initiative administered through the Marine Institute, where he worked from 2003-2013. He also played a key role in the development and implementation of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean technology development strategy, “Oceans of Opportunity,” during his term as the manager of Ocean Technology Partnerships. He deeply enjoyed bringing this passion to all his endeavours, including as an active supporter and advisor to the YMCA and lecturer at Memorial University’s School of Business Administration. Neil was instrumental in communicating the advances taking place in ocean science in Canada and charting the course of MEOPAR.

A scholarship from the endowment fund will be given annually to a full time student studying beyond first year in a four year program in the Institute’s School of Ocean Technology. In awarding this scholarship, preference will be given to candidates who have leadership characteristics and have made significant contribution to student and/or community leadership.  Preference will also be given to a student focusing on underwater vehicles.

“Neil was an extraordinary person both personally and professionally and it was a privilege for all of us at the Marine Institute to have worked with him,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute).  “We are thankful to all those who made this special gift in Neil’s name possible for the benefit of our students for years to come. Neil personified the importance of education and leadership and its role in our province’s economic development. I know he, together with his wife Julie Green, wanted to instill those values in their daughters, Meredith and Amelia, and we will strive to do the same with our students through this endowment fund.” 

The first scholarship from the endowment fund will be awarded in November 2016.

Persons interested in donating to the The Neil Gall Memorial Leadership Scholarship in Ocean Technology Endowment Fund can do so by contacting Rebecca Hefferton, Development and Engagement Officer at (709) 778-0370 or Rebecca.Hefferton@mi.mun.ca.