University Historical Highlights

Our Commitment

To our students, we make a promise. A promise to do our best, so they can do their best. A promise to foster exploration, to share ideas and information, to teach but also to learn. A promise to build the buildings, acquire the technology, cultivate the partnerships, and welcome the people essential to advancing an environment that excites and ignites learning. An environment where professors and students are colleagues and everyone grows together. An environment that recognizes the power of every student's dream. And helps that dream come true.

Historical Timeline

1957 Lethbridge Junior College opens, the first public junior college in Canada offering first-year university courses.
1964 University Section of Lethbridge Junior College begins teaching second-year Arts and Science courses.
1966 The Honourable R. H. McKinnon, Minister of Education, announces the Government is prepared to establish a third autonomous Alberta university.
1967 The University of Lethbridge commences operations, with Faculties of Arts and Science and Education.
The first eight members of the Board of Governors take office:
Dr. N. D. Holmes, Chairman; Dr. Van Christou; Dr. C. M. Andrews; A. F. Bullock; L. J. Wright; Dr. O. P. Larson; Paul Matisz; and Dr. Rhonda Collins.
First students attend classes in the Faculties of Arts and Science and Education.
1968 First art object, Moses, by Sorel Etrog, donated to the University from Expo 67, initiating the University's art collection.
First Convocation, with 32 degrees awarded, followed by march in support of site selection for University.
1969 Sod is turned for the permanent campus on the west bank of the Oldman River.
1971 On Saturday March 13th, 1971, the University of Lethbridge Chinooks as they were known then, won the Canadian Junior Women's Basketball Championship at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The team was awarded the Sabbath Trophy emblematic of their accomplishment. This team coached by Dr. Winter, was the first University of Lethbridge team to win a Canadian championship for the University. It took another 23 years for a team, Pronghorn hockey, to win the second Canadian for the university.
1972 Official opening of the University campus on the west bank of the Oldman River. A special September Convocation accompanied the opening.
1980 School of Nursing established.
1981 School of Management established.
Official opening of the Performing Arts Centre (Centre for the Arts).
1983 Doreen Garner sets Canadian record in shotput and wins CIAU Gold Medal.
1984 School of Fine Arts established.
First graduate students commence studies in Master of Education program.
1986 Official opening of the Max Bell Aquatic Centre.
Suzanne Pecht wins CIAU Gold Medal in shotput.
First Graduates of Master of Education Graduates.
1988 University Flag approved by the Board of Governors.
Inaugural Fall Convocation
1989 School of Management achieves faculty status.
1990 Dr. John Woods elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
University Art Collection grows through donation to exceed $25 million, becoming Canada's largest and broadest based teaching collection.
Official opening of Turcotte Hall, the Students' Union Building and Aperture Residential Park.
1991 Gushul Studio in Crowsnest Pass acquired as a facility for visiting artists, scholars, and writers.
1992 Opening of the Papokan Sculpture Park to commemorate the University's 25th Anniversary.
1993 First graduate of Master of Science Graduate.
1994 Number of University of Lethbridge graduates reaches 10,000.
Dean Kondziolka wins CIAU Gold Medal in 50-metre Freestyle Swim.
Pronghorn Hockey Team wins CIAU University Cup Championship and CIAU Gold Medal.
First Master of Arts Graduates.
1995 Commencement of B.Sc. Co-operative Education Program.
Dean Kondziolka wins CIAU Gold Medal in 50-metre Freestyle Swim.
First students commence studies in the collaborative Bachelor of Nursing program on Lethbridge Community College campus.
First students commence studies in the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) program.
1996 First students commence studies in the Grant MacEwan Community College Accelerated Bachelor of Management program and in the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management offered in Calgary and Edmonton.
First students commence studies in the collaborative Bachelor of Health Sciences program.
1997 The University commemorates its 30th Anniversary.
1998 Dr. Bryan Kolb awarded Canada Council Killam Research Fellowship.
Dr. Ian Whishaw elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
First students commence studies in the Certificate in Health Sciences program.
1999 Facility opened for storage of University art collection.
Opening of classroom addition to Physical Education Building.
First students commence studies in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Multimedia) program.
Sod is turned for the Library Information Network Centre (LINC).
Dr. Patricia Chuchryk awarded 3M Teaching Innovation Fellowship.
Official opening of Hepler Hall.
School of Fine Arts achieves faculty status.
2000 Official opening of Anderson Hall.
Sod is turned for the Life Sciences Research Complex.
School of Graduate Studies established.
Dr. Bryan Kolb elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
First students commence studies in the Master of Science (Management) program.
First graduates of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.
2001 Winter Convocation held.
First students commence studies in the Doctor of Philosophy program.
Official opening of the Library Information Network Centre (LINC).
2002 The traditional Blackfoot name, Medicine Rock, given to the University on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary.
Official opening of the Helen Christou Gallery
2003 Professor Emeritus Leroy Little Bear receives the University's first National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Education.
On June 19, 2003, the Board of Gevernors approved a new University of Lethbridge shield.
Opening of a new 96 bed residence facility.