A hundred years of scholar-tude

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The University of Regina gets set to celebrate its centennial

Maureen Mugerwa
Contributor

A hundred years ago, the University of Regina didn’t look anything like it does today.

In fact, it didn’t look like anything at all.

The original campus, which used to be called the Regina College, still exists and is now called the Center for Continuing Education – but it’s located on College Avenue. The campus as we know it today wasn’t founded until 1968.

When the Regina College campus started, there were only 27 students who studied a range of subjects. A few businessmen around Regina put in money to see that this college was a success. The Regina College campus was created in response to Saskatoon starting its own institution for higher education: University of Saskatchewan. Regina residents wanted the same for their own city.

The Regina College campus was started as a private Methodist high school in 1911. It chose the motto “as one who serves”, which reflected its desire to give back to the community. In return, a group of businessmen donated to the Regina College, realizing the importance of a post-secondary institution in the city.

In 1925, the U of S took on the Regina College, and in 1934 the Methodist Church ceded the institution fully to the Saskatoon-based university.

After both World War I and II, the Regina College campus started to expand in enrollment and therefore started offering a wider range of programs. Finally, in 1961, the Regina College was renamed the University of Saskatchewan-Regina Campus, and given degree-granting status; in 1966, it moved south down Broad Street to where it stands today.

In 1974, the campus became an independent institution from the U of S and was rechristened the University of Regina, retaining the Wascana campus and the College campus.

In recent years, there has been more attention placed on the newer Wascana campus, but a recent announcement will see the College Ave. campus restored. The College Ave. campus holds historical value for many people and is the reason why the University of Regina seeks to maintain it.

From 27 students to today’s 12, 000 people studying at the U of R, including 1,000 international students, people have come to this university from all over the world to learn in one of 10 faculties that exists today.  

The University is to celebrate 100 years of education in fashion. There is to be an open reception, pancake breakfast, main campus tunnel tours, College Avenue campus lunch, pep rally, BBQ, president’s art-collection exhibit and events at Rams football games.

The First Nations University is also to celebrate with a traditional Powwow. In addition, the university is also to host a homecoming event for the alumni.

The university is encouraging anyone interested to come celebrate 100 years of success and learn about the rich history of a university “as one who serves.”

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