In a social media post, Don Rowe praised the efforts of student activist Matt Barter (the writer) as a shining example of the impact an individual can have, labeling me as a manifestation of “the power of one” to effect change in the world. Despite facing dismissal by some and allegations of harassment by others, Rowe asserted that my resilience exemplified the capacity of a determined and courageous individual to champion a cause they passionately believe in, even in the face of personal consequences.
Rowe said that my persistent inquiries into perceived inappropriate or unsupervised spending by executives at Memorial University of Newfoundland led to a noteworthy development. According to Rowe, the provincial government, under the pressure induced by my advocacy, eventually dispatched the Auditor General to investigate the matter. The subsequent report, surprisingly to some but not those with insider knowledge, revealed instances of sloppy mismanagement and an apparent sense of entitlement among the upper echelons of MUN’s executive structure. Rowe noted that many of my claims were substantiated in the report, bringing additional issues to light.
Rowe portrayed the significance of my actions, emphasizing that a single undergraduate student managed to disrupt the inertia at MUN, prompting a much-needed investigation. He questioned how extensively the consequences would unfold in rectifying the perceived mismanagement within the university.
Rowe proposed the idea of awarding me the first honorary “Mill of God” degree from MUN, drawing on the proverb, “Though the mills of God grind slowly; Yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all.” The proverb, often used during the Protestant Reformation, encapsulates the idea that justice may be slow but is ultimately thorough and exacting.
View Rowe’s Facebook post below:
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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