MacEwan 50years 1971-2021

MacEwan University 50 years 1971-2021 wide mark black and maroon
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50 moments that matter

“The city is our campus.” These were among the first words used in 1971 to describe a new kind of post-secondary institution in Edmonton. Over the next 50 years, “The Edmonton College” would evolve from its humble beginnings in an old high school and a former grocery store into “Edmonton’s downtown university.”

Distilling the countless milestones, facts and figures into these 50 key moments that led MacEwan University to where it is today was no easy task.

We know we will have missed important moments – big and small – and we hope you will help us fill in the gaps.

1970
1970

A new kind of college

The Alberta Colleges Commission establishes the Board of Governors, which begins a search for the president of a new kind of college not bound by existing institutions or practices to fill the gaps in the educational process.

Edmonton Journal, February 23, 1971 (page 27 of 78).
Edmonton Journal, February 23, 1971 (page 27 of 78).
"Naturally, I have recalled many times my own thrilling introduction to the proposal to start a college. I was occupying an office in the Legislature Building about twenty-five years ago when two public spirited Edmontonians, Barry Moore and Judge Ed Stack, made an early morning call. They didn’t have time for coffee and a muffin but before leaving, Mr. Moore—now an active community college president in Eastern Canada—hinted that they had a plan. “We believe,” said Mr. Moore, “that Edmonton should have a community college to accommodate students who are no longer within reach of high schools and not qualified for university.” I was impressed and said so but his next remark left me momentarily speechless: “We would like to call it ‘Grant MacEwan’.” I was puzzled and flattered and didn’t overlook the possibility that my guests were indulging in humour. But graciously they explained that they were serious and had already taken the first steps to set their plan in motion. I then hastened to tell my visitors that I liked the idea of a college and was thrilled with their proposal for a name."
– A personal message from Dr. J.W Grant MacEwan in "Grant MacEwan Community College: The First Two Decades"

First president

John L. Haar is named the college’s first president and assumes his duties in April 1971. His enduring legacy is his vision of a post-secondary institution with the “city as its campus.” 

MacEwan.ca: Presidential spaces
Photo of John L. Haar taken in 1980
In “College Comment,” Barry Moore, chair of the college’s board, said that Haar “personifies the kind of college we want to build, a college concerned with a wide variety of educational experiences.” Photo of John L. Haar taken in 1980.
1971
Cromdale MacEwan campus 1976
Old Scona Campus
1971

Setting down roots

Finding the right facilities dominates the early history of Grant MacEwan Community College (GMCC). When considering its first campus, the Board of Governors suggests that a downtown location would be preferable.

After using the RCMP Barracks at 9542 101A Avenue turns out to be unviable, Strathcona School becomes the first official college location and is known as the “Old Scona Campus.”

The Cromdale Campus, an old Dominion Store at 8020 118 Avenue purchased for $400,000, becomes the second campus. The former Workmen’s Compensation Building (10048 101A Avenue) is used for student affairs, and administration offices are in the Canada Trust Building at 10150 100 Street.

Our doors are open

Grant MacEwan Community College officially opens its doors in September, offering 16 two-year programs: child care worker, fashion sales technology, library technician, secretarial science, medical equipment technology, behavioural science technician, general arts and science diploma, social care worker, journalism, advertising, public relations, audio-visual technician, police science, business administration, nursing and recreational leadership. 

The first Faculty Association meeting happens in September. By May, the college has 51 staff. 

MaEwan College ad 1971MacEwan opens newspaper article
MacEwan Student handbook 1971
1973
1973

Planning for growth

Jasper Place Campus opens in space leased from elementary schools.

The college presents its campus master plan to the public. It includes a recommendation to develop a “core campus” for the heart of Edmonton, serving an inner ring along with small satellite campuses to serve an outer-ring area within the Edmonton region.

Jasper Place Campus 1973 MacEwan College
Jasper Place Campus
1976
1976

First purpose-built campus

Mill Woods Campus at 73 Street and 29 Avenue opens. It is the first facility specifically designed for and built by the college. Located on 9.7 acres, the campus includes 165,000 square feet of classroom space, offices, recreation facilities, a cafeteria, a learning resource centre and central storage. Over 700 full-time equivalent students enrol in 14 programs.

Mill Woods Campus MacEwan 1976
Mill Woods Campus
the 1980s

Managing growth and moving toward university transfer

As MacEwan entered its second decade, the province was struggling. A worldwide economic recession meant the oil boom was over, and post-secondary budgets were tighter. Enrolment doubled by the late 1980s, demand exceeded capacity by more than five to one, and the college began offering transfer programs to meet the province’s need to accommodate university students. As MacEwan grew into Alberta’s second-largest college, continuing with a small-campus model became increasingly unviable.

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1980
1980

MacEwan goes "ultra-modern"

The new Jasper Place Campus (eventually renamed the Centre for the Arts and Communications) opens to replace the old Jasper Place and Assumption campuses.

Invitation to the opening of the new Jasper Place Campus.
Construction at MacEwan 1980
Jasper Place Campus officially opens.
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1982
1982

Demand grows

The college offers 40 programs on three main campuses, and demand has never been higher. Credit enrolment tops 3,000 full-time equivalents (over 5,000 individuals), while another 9,000 students participate in program-related non-credit activity.

Registration day 1986 macewan
Registration in 1986.
1984
Dr. MacEwan with his portrait on MacEwan Day in 1995.
Dr. MacEwan in 1986 at one of the first Grant MacEwan Days.
Terry Flannig
1984

Grant MacEwan Day

In February, Dr. MacEwan visits the college and tours its campuses for the first Grant MacEwan Day. When visiting, he always took the bus from Calgary and stayed at the YMCA.

Two years later, the MacEwan Medallion is introduced to be presented each year on MacEwan Day to an employee who has made an outstanding contribution to the college.

Downtown bound

President Kelly, who had attended McGill – a downtown university – makes a presentation to the Mayor’s Task Force on the Heart of the City, sharing how a university in a city’s core can serve as a catalyst for vibrancy.

The board endorses the idea of a central campus – likely to be located on the CN rail yards – with some satellite campuses. The idea is wholeheartedly supported by the Downtown Development Corporation, the Downtown Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

former CN rail yards aerial shot and future home on MacEwan
The former CN rail yards and the future home of MacEwan.
1986 registration day MacEwan College
Registration day in 1986, just before university transfer programs were introduced.

Toward university transfer

University transfer becomes a hot topic. In May, President Kelly advises the board he received a call from Advanced Education indicating that there may be a problem accommodating university students. He had been asked how quickly GMCC could move to accommodate them.

1986

Recognizing distinguished alumni

The first Distinguished Alumni Award is presented. Between 1986 and 2019, 97 alumni are recognized.

1986
1987
1987

40 new university transfer programs

Alberta Advanced Education approves university transfer programs, and the college develops 40 new science, arts and commerce courses.

Outreach credit programs are offered at Blue Quills Native Education Centre, Maskwacis Cultural College and Yukon College, and through MacEwan's continued involvement with the Yellowhead and Pembina Educational Consortia.

1988
Ukrainian Canadian Committee 1987 with giant cheque
A cheque presentation from the Ukrainian Canadian Committee in 1987. MacEwan.ca: Dr. Roman Petryshyn’s (pictured at the far left) contribution to the MacEwan Oral History project

International connections

MacEwan establishes a new Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) with a commitment to cultural mindfulness, relationship building and intercultural dialogue.

MacEwan International now has projects in seven countries.

the 1990s

Moving downtown and toward degree-granting status

Growing enrolment prompted the province to invest $100 million to build City Centre Campus. Teaching remained a key focus (the first Distinguished Teaching Awards were presented). University transfer programs continued to grow to a point where pursuing degree-granting status for the institution became a possibility. The college welcomes a new president and has a new name by the end of the decade.

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1990
1990

Excellence in the arts

MacEwan has the largest and most comprehensive performing, visual and communication arts programming of any post-secondary institution in Canada.

Secret Garden play 1997
A performance of the musical The Secret Garden staged by Theatre Arts and Theatre Production students in 1997.
1991
construction nearing completion
1990-CCC architectural perspective
Groundbreaking for City Centre Campus
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1991

Building City Centre Campus

MacEwan breaks ground for City Centre Campus, and construction begins.

1992
1992

A future in degrees?

University transfer programs grow to the point where many people at MacEwan envision the possibility of degree-granting status for the institution.

1993
Time Capsule contents
Dr. MacEwan at the opening of City Centre Campus.
Commemorative T-shirt
1993

Opening City Centre Campus

MacEwan now offers 50 diploma and certificate programs in the liberal arts, science, business, community services, community education, health science, performing arts and visual communications. 

The Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) creates a time capsule to commemorate the opening of City Centre Campus with instructions to open it on MacEwan’s 50th anniversary.

MacEwan publishes an early edition of The History of Grant MacEwan Community College: The First Two Decades.

1994
1994

Recognizing teaching excellence

The college announces its first Distinguished Teaching Awards. The award has been presented 91 times between 1994 and 2021.

1997
1997

MacEwan’s third president

Dr. Paul J. Byrne becomes president.

MacEwan.ca: Farewell to Dr. Byrne
Paul Byrne
Dr. Paul J. Byrne
1999
Celebration of college's new name
Celebration of the college’s new name.
1999

A new name

As part of its new strategic plan, Grant MacEwan Community College changes its name to Grant MacEwan College.

2004
Fish lab 2020
The Department of Psychology’s zebrafish lab, established in 2009.
2004

Formalizing faculty research

The college establishes research policies and later creates the Research Ethics Board (2006).

Dr. Cynthia Zutter is the first MacEwan faculty member to receive a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant for her project “Palaeoethnobotanical research in Northern Labrador.”

2005
2005

Living downtown

Life on campus takes on a new meaning as MacEwan Residence opens its doors at City Centre Campus.

residence construction
The new residence building under construction.
Concovation 2019 MacEwan Universityconvocation hats maroon
convoaction black hats

A degree-granting institution

MacEwan begins offering four-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Child and Youth Care programs. 

Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science in Nursing follow in 2007, then Bachelor of Science in 2009, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Communication Studies in 2011, Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing in 2014, Bachelor of Social Work in 2016, Bachelor of Design in 2019, Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies in 2020. 

MacEwan’s newest degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts, will take its first students in the Fall of 2022. 

2007
2007

A centre for health learning

Robbins Health Learning Centre opens, providing a dynamic environment of lecture theatres, gathering spaces and labs for students in health-related disciplines.

The Robbins health learning centre
The Robbins Health Learning Centre
the 2010s

Focusing on teaching, scholarly activity, and community and social responsibility

The move to degree-granting status brought an increasing focus on scholarship, which presented opportunities for students to engage in research and scholarly activity. MacEwan embraced the concept of a single, sustainable campus and became a fully downtown university when Allard Hall opened and all Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications programs moved to City Centre Campus.

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2010
2010

Further establishing research at MacEwan

For the first time, MacEwan faculty members receive Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) college grants. Dr. Jonathan Withey and Dr. Samuel Mugo are the first recipients.

A series of Undergraduate Student Research Initiatives (USRI) grants launch to encourage student involvement in research activities.

MacEwan.ca: NSERC grant to MacEwan
Student research day 2018
Many USRI recipients go on to present at Student Research Day, like this one in 2018. 
2013

New name, new logo, new athletics conference

Grant MacEwan University rebrands to become MacEwan University and unveils a new logo design. 

MacEwan becomes the 17th member of the Canada West Universities Athletics Association. In 2014, basketball, cross-country running, soccer and volleyball teams begin competing in Canada West.

MacEwan.ca: Joining Canada West
2013
2014

South Campus programs move downtown

Programs at the South Campus (formerly known as the Mill Woods Campus) move to City Centre Campus on the heels of an announcement by the province of $30 million to support the building of Allard Hall. 

MacEwan.ca: South Campus
2014
2014

Recognizing research

The first NSERC Discovery Grants are awarded to MacEwan faculty members Dr. Jeffrey Andrews (Math), Dr. Trevor Hamilton (Psychology), Dr. Chris Striemer (Psychology), Dr. Nicolae Strungaru (Math) and Dr. Adi Tcaciuc (Math).

The MacEwan University Student eJournal (MUSe) and RO@M,  a database of research conducted by MacEwan faculty and staff, are launched.

A new Distinguished Research Award is introduced, and Dr. Allan Gilliland is named the first recipient.

MacEwan.ca: First NSERC Discovery Grants
2017
Allard Hall timelapse
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Grand opening of Allard Hall
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1:50

Allard Hall opens

The Centre for the Arts and Communications (formerly known as Jasper Place) closes, and all programs move to City Centre Campus. Allard Hall opens, providing state-of-the-art technology, classroom and performance areas.

MacEwan.ca: Welcome to Allard Hall
2018
2018

Expanding research and supporting social innovation

MacEwan introduces two Board of Governors Research Chair positions focused on building the research culture at the university. The first recipients are Dr. Sandy Jung and Dr. Samuel Mugo.

MacEwan introduces a new Social Innovation Institute, along with a co-working space in Allard Hall called Roundhouse. Both are focused on serving a community of changemakers, small businesses and innovators.

MacEwan.ca: New Social Innovation Institute
Roundhouse, co-working space in Allard Hall
Roundhouse, a co-working space in Allard Hall, also houses the Social Innovation Institute.
2019
2019

Full university status

MacEwan becomes an undergraduate university under the Post-Secondary Learning Act.

MacEwan announces its first Canada Research Chair. Dr. Kristopher Wells is named Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Issues.

the 2020s and beyond

Growing boldly

Today, the city remains MacEwan’s campus. Teaching is our focus, and work integrated learning and community-engaged scholarship are increasingly critical components of the educational experience. A new chancellor has been installed, the university’s first honorary doctorates have been conferred, and MacEwan is setting a path forward as it prepares a new strategic vision for the future.

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2020
2020

By the numbers

MacEwan has more than 18,000 students studying in 68 programs across four faculties and two schools. 

Students walking on campus
Students make their way to campus for a new term.

A new president

Dr. Annette Trimbee is installed as president. 

The university quickly shifts to online learning in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

MacEwan.ca: Presidential installation
Dr Annette Trimbee
Dr. Annette Trimbee
2021
Dr Tony Fields
Dr. Tony Fields
2021

Installing the first chancellor, awarding honorary doctorates and marking 50 years

The university installs its first chancellor, Dr. Anthony (Tony) Fields. Dr. Fields also receives one of MacEwan’s first honorary doctorates, along with alumna Brenda Barton.

MacEwan celebrates its 50th anniversary and prepares to introduce a new strategic vision that will set the course for the university’s future. 

MacEwan.ca: First chancellor
the future

Looking forward

Through five decades of change – four different names, dozens of programs, six presidents, 80,000 alumni, and close to 20 different teaching and administrative sites – the city remains our campus. As does our commitment to responding to the world with educational thinking that meets the challenges that come with change, embraces community, responds to the evolving world of work, supports people coming together in new ways and bolsters the idea that education is a lifelong journey.