History

Saint Mary's University
200 Years of Historic Achievement in Higher Learning

Saint Mary’s University has reached its 200th Anniversary and alumni, friends and community members from around the world are invited to be a part of the year long celebration. The festivities officially began at Saint Mary’s Spring Convocation Ceremony held at the Halifax Metro Centre on May 24, 2002. Throughout the year, Saint Mary’s will mark its anniversary with events and tributes to commemorate important periods in the university’s history.

Two centuries of history, academic achievement and community contribution will be the focus of Saint Mary’s University’s 200th Anniversary. “We look forward to celebrating our 200th Anniversary to showcase Saint Mary’s to the world,” says Dr. J. Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary’s. ”The 200th Anniversary will celebrate our rich history of service to students, commitment to accessibility and community outreach. It will also permit us to welcome our future as a dynamic and innovative leader in post-secondary education.”

Right: Saint Mary’s Glebe House Campus, c. 1870
Left: Saint Mary’s Windsor Street Campus c. 1920.
Photos courtesy Saint Mary’s Archives.

Saint Mary’s is proud of its heritage as the oldest English speaking Roman Catholic university in Canada. The university traces its earliest beginnings to 1802 when the Reverend Edmund Burke, later Bishop Burke, initiated instruction for young men at the Glebe House, located on the corner of Halifax’s Spring Garden Road and Barrington Street. 1802 is the first of many key dates in the university’s history that will be recognized throughout the celebrations. Some of the significant benchmarks in Saint Mary’s early history include 1841 when the Nova Scotia Legislature bestowed the degree granting charter to Saint Mary’s, 1940 when the Jesuit leadership began and 1970 when the university became a public institution.

Saint Mary’s Drama Society., c.1920s

Over 100 volunteers representing faculty, staff, students, and community members have been planning the 200th Anniversary events for over a year. Celebrations, ceremonies and alumni gatherings will take place in the Halifax Regional Municipality, across Canada and the world. On April 19, 2002 Saint Mary’s hosted the Annual All-Canadian Alumni Reception held at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Over 300 Canadian university alumni attended the event in honour of Saint Mary’s University’s 200th Anniversary. Other highlights include a commemorative stamp which was released by Canada Post on May 27, 2002. A comprehensive history of Saint Mary’s is in development and a pictorial history will be released this fall.