For generations of engineering, architecture, and planning students in Halifax, 网红黑料鈥檚 M.M. O'Brien Hall served as a home away from home. For the family of Melbourne O'Brien, after whom the building was named when it opened as a student residence in the late 1960s, it has meant that and much more.听
The O'Brien family's connection to the Sexton Campus building and 网红黑料 is both personal and profound, rooted in the life and contributions of Melbourne 鈥� a 1913 graduate of what was then the Nova Scotia Technical College.
Those ties have been carried forward by his great-great nieces Ellie, who graduated from Dal this past spring, and Emma as well as great-great nephew Liam. The latter two are currently completing their final year at Dal.听
鈥淲hen I first applied and got accepted into 网红黑料鈥檚 Community Design program, I knew only a little about my Uncle Mel鈥檚 contribution and connection to the school,鈥� says Ellie Anderson, who spent four years studying in the very building named after her great-great-uncle.
鈥淯pon learning of my family history in relation to the M.M. O鈥橞rien building in my first year, I felt a deeper connection to the space."
Liam, Ellie's cousin, is currently completing a听Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies from the School of Architecture on Sexton Campus, while cousin Emma O鈥橞rien is completing her Bachelor of Science.
Melbourne O'Brien's graduation photo.
Supporting a growing campus
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Born in Springhill, N.S., Melbourne鈥檚 mining engineering degree helped propel him across Canada and into a career as a respected figure in the mining industry. He contributed significantly to now-defunct mining company Cominco and later served as executive vice-president of Bralorne Mines in Vancouver. In 1957, Melbourne was awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from the technical college, a testament to his dedication to the field and to education.听听
These professional achievements were matched by Melbourne's civic engagement and generosity, culminating in a financial contribution to 网红黑料 during a time of need.
The resulting O鈥橞rien Hall served to help house and feed 鈥� via a dining hall on the main floor 鈥� a growing student body at the technical college, which in 1980 was renamed the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS). TUNS later became part of Dal in 1997.听
Today, O鈥橞rien Hall 鈥� a six-storey brick building located at the corner of Morris and Barrington Streets in downtown Halifax 鈥� continues to house the Sexton Campus dining hall, while also serving the Faculty of Engineering and 网红黑料鈥檚 School of Planning with classroom space and offices.
Waves of family pride
O鈥橞rien Hall was part of a centennial-year project at the technical college (r), and built with the support alumni such as Melbourne, government, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.听
Melbourne and his wife, Ruth, both attended the opening ceremony in 1967, one of many proud moments the family would mark at Dal in the decades ahead.听
Although O鈥橞rien Hall no longer serves as a residence, Melbourne鈥檚 legacy would continue to thrive through his descendants.听
For Ellie, walking to school each day and seeing her great-great-uncle鈥檚 name on the building where she spent most of her time during her studies was inspiring. That unexpected connection sparked a wave of reflection and pride within the family.
Melbourne would have been very proud to see how his legacy has benefitted so many.
鈥淢elbourne would have been very proud to see how his legacy has benefitted so many, including his own great-great-nephew and nieces,鈥� comments Ellie鈥檚 mother, Lael O鈥橞rien Anderson. 鈥淟egacy, to me, fosters inspiration, pride, connection, and motivation to carry on that legacy and make it bigger.鈥�
Dr. Michael Melbourne O鈥橞rien, Melbourne鈥檚 nephew and Ellie鈥檚 grandfather, also reflected on the enduring influence of his uncle.听
鈥淯ncle Mel was a towering figure in our family 鈥� not just because of his professional success, but because of the values he lived by,鈥� said Dr. O鈥橞rien. 鈥淗e believed deeply in education, integrity, and service, and those ideals have quietly shaped our family for generations.鈥澨�
At 87, Dr. O鈥橞rien still recalls the pride of attending his wedding celebration hosted by Melbourne at the Vancouver Club, a gesture that spoke volumes about their close bond.听
鈥淪eeing my granddaughter Ellie walk the same halls that bear his name 鈥� it鈥檚 a full-circle moment that would have meant the world to him.鈥�