ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND--(CCNMatthews - May 1, 2006) - Fortis (TSX:FTS)
"In recognition of the contribution Dr. Angus Bruneau has made to Fortis, I am pleased to announce that Fortis has pledged a $100,000 donation to Memorial University of Newfoundland in his honour," says Stan Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Inc.
Dr. Bruneau retires tomorrow as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fortis Inc. at the Corporation's Annual Meeting being held in St. John's, NL. He has served as Chairman of Fortis for the past 18 years. Dr. Bruneau also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Newfoundland Power from 1986 until 1990, at which time he became Chairman of the Board of Newfoundland Power. From 1987 to 1996, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Fortis. Dr. Bruneau also served as a Director on the Boards of Maritime Electric and Fortis Properties.
"It was the vision of Dr. Bruneau that saw Fortis grow from one utility, Newfoundland Power, to the international company we've become today. We've seen tremendous change both in our company and in our industry over the past 20 years. One thing that never changed, however, was Dr. Bruneau's unwavering commitment to the success of Fortis," says Marshall.
Marshall adds that the $100,000 donation will be directed towards a complete remodelling of the main lecture theatre in the Engineering building at Memorial University. Dr. Bruneau was the founding Dean of Engineering at Memorial University.
"Dr. Bruneau came to Memorial in 1968 and developed our cooperative engineering degree program, a work-study innovation that has made our engineering programs among the best in Canada," says Dr. Axel Meisen, President of Memorial University. "This honour bestowed by Fortis will recognize Dr. Bruneau's legacy at Memorial and in our community in a very tangible way for many years to come. The donation will help to revitalize the 215-seat lecture theatre in the Engineering Building, which is at the centre of the faculty, with new seating, lighting and state-of-the-art teaching technology. These generous improvements will particularly benefit the teaching of larger undergraduate classes, public lectures like the Speaking of Engineering series, and university and community events."
In recognition of the Fortis donation and Dr. Bruneau's service to Memorial University, particularly to the Faculty of Engineering, the lecture theatre will be named the Angus Bruneau Engineering Lecture Theatre.
Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) is a diversified, international electric utility holding company with assets exceeding $4.3 billion and annual revenues of more than $1.4 billion. The Corporation has holdings in 7 regulated distribution utilities located in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Belize and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Fortis Inc. has non-regulated generation operations in Newfoundland, Ontario, British Columbia, Upper New York State and Belize. The Corporation has investments in real estate and hotel operations through Fortis Properties Corporation, its wholly owned non-utility subsidiary.
Memorial University of Newfoundland's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is a centre of rigorous professional education and ground-breaking research. The Faculty of Engineering offers engineering education at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as an active program in continuing engineering education with a range of short courses, certificates and diplomas for the professional engineering community. Vital research is underway in offshore basin evolution, reservoir engineering, characterization and management, offshore environmental risk assessment, environmental monitoring with autonomous underwater vehicles, and safety, health and risk related to oil and gas activities in harsh environment.
Memorial University of Newfoundland is the largest university east of Quebec City, with 17,500 students. Memorial University provides undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in virtually all academic disciplines and operates in four locations: St. John's including the Marine Institute, Grenfell College in Corner Brook, the Labrador Institute in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, and the Harlow Campus in England.
Memorial University is the largest R&D enterprise in the region and many of its teaching and research activities reflect the University's mid-North Atlantic locations. These unique settings, cultural heritage, specialized expertise and commitment to supporting the development of Newfoundland and Labrador have led to the creation of highly regarded academic programs, research projects and facilities - in areas such as engineering, music, linguistics, folklore, fine arts and human genetics, as well as earth sciences, oil and gas studies, cold ocean research, rural health care and archaeology. www.mun.ca
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Fortis Inc.
Donna Hynes
Manager, Investor and Public Relations
(709) 737-2800
(709) 737-5307 (FAX)
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Victoria Collins
Director, Marketing and Communications
(709) 737-8662
(709) 737-8699 (FAX)
