Celebrating 100th anniversary of Regina College cornerstone

Posted: October 24, 2011 12:00 p.m.

The cornerstone of Regina College, the forerunner of the University of Regina, was laid 100 years ago this week.

Regina citizens supported the construction and opened the school in 1912 to a class of 27 students studying business, chemistry, stenographics, modern languages and physics. In 1925, Regina College became a junior college of the University of Saskatchewan. In the early 1960s, it became the Regina Campus of the University of Saskatchewan and expanded from the original location on College Avenue to Wascana Parkway. It wasn’t until 1974 that the University became an independent degree-granting institution.

University of Regina History Professor Jim Pitsula says the people responsible for launching Regina College a century ago would be very proud of what it has become.

“I’m sure the people who started Regina College couldn’t have imagined in detail what has happened. They were aiming to build a university. They had come from university backgrounds. They knew what a university was. They saw the potential of Saskatchewan. They saw the potential of the city,” said Pitsula in a recent interview.

“They wouldn’t be surprised that we have a big university here because that was their goal, and they stated it explicitly. They weren’t just starting a little college. They meant the college to develop into something larger.”

The University is now home to nearly 13,000 students, 10 faculties, 25 departments, three federated colleges and close to 20 research centres and institutions.

University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons unveiled a new book on October 24 entitled Honouring Our Past, Embracing Our Future: A Century of Excellence in Education at the University of Regina Campus. Also this week, the City of Regina proclaimed October 25 to be “University of Regina Day” in recognition of the laying of the cornerstone 100 years ago.

Pitsula, who has authored three books about the University – An Act of Faith: The Early Years of Regina College; New World Dawning: The Sixties at Regina Campus; and as One Who Serves: The Making of the University of Regina, predicts the University of Regina will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years, while maintaining the roots that were planted a century ago.

“I think there will be continued expansion, and continued striving for excellence. The University is developing new programs, meeting emerging needs and remaining true to the strong liberal arts core that was always important at Regina College.”