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History

History

Where once was vast and open prairie now lives one of Canada's top-ranked research universities.

The University of Lethbridge exists as it does today thanks to the determined and forward-thinking citizens who believed southern Alberta warranted its own university. Their vision, tenacity and ability to unite to make the impossible possible have lived at the heart of the University for more than five decades.

The evolution of campus

The Early Years: 1967 - Late 1970s

Trailers 1967
Construction site
Aerial image of campus in 1972
Moses sculpture outside of UHall in 1968
Interior of the Worm, an enclosed tunnel

The Rise of Research & Curricular Diversity: the 1980s

Moses sculpture being lifted by a crane
Moses in the Fine Arts stairwell
Fine Arts building under construction
Swimmers at the Aquatic Centre opening

The Rise of Corporate University: the 1990s

Students Union building
Turcotte Hall
Papokan sculpture park
CTrain in Calgary

The Comprehensive Multi-versity: the 2000s and 2010s

Library building under construction
CCBN Building
Helen Christou Gallery
1st Choice Savings Centre
Water building
Community Sports Stadium
Crowd at outdoor concert
Markin Hall
Science Commons building sign
Community Sports Stadium
Crowd at outdoor concert
Markin Hall
Science Commons building sign
Science Commons

Our first 50 years

Video URL

Reflections: the history of the first Department of Native American Studies of its kind in Alberta

The Pronghorn Effect: the history of University of Lethbridge Athletics

The ULAA: a historic account

50 Years, 50 Voices

Let it Shine On

As part of uLethbridge's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017, alumnus John Wort Hannam (BA/BEd ’96) wrote a commemorative song for the University.

Let it Shine On was also preformed with the Wind Orchestra at Convocation that year.

Watch the music video on YouTube

50 Voices project

Through 50 years and 50 voices, we capture our most iconic stories, as well as those yet to be told, with the help of the University’s history-makers.

Visit the 50 Voices website

50 Years of teaching

uLethbridge faculty members explore various topics and reflect on how teaching has evolved over the last five decades.

Reflecting on teaching

Fondest memories

uLethbridge faculty, staff, students and alumni help tell the Faculty of Education’s story through a collection of personal memories

Personal memories of the Faculty of Education

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The University is located on traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Aboriginal peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.

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