It is Time I Tell My Story: Crest (on the occasion of the U of R 50th)

Back in 1999, the gorgeous leather version of me which once hung above centre stage in the auditorium of Darke Hall was discovered on a table at a (ahem) garage sale in Calgary! Oh, the horror!” — U of R Crest

Guest writer, U of R Crest

Please be kind to me, gentle reader, as this tale marks my debut as a scribe. Since my inception, I have relied upon more on my good looks and charm and less on my storytelling abilities. I must say I am thrilled to share my story now in honour of this major milestone year for the institution I serve, my beloved University of Regina.

I expect many of you have visited the University website, earned a degree or follow the official social media channels, and so have seen me.  Maybe you only glanced my way briefly, without pause, but I am there — front and centre — and have been so since 1912, a year after the founding of Regina College, great-grandparent of U of R, if you will. 

For clarification purposes, I think it’s important to share that my official title is coat of arms, but I want us to be friends and so welcome you to call me Crest.

My debut

I was created by Vincent Massey (who later became Governor General of Canada) and the Reverend Wilbur Williams Andrews (the first principal of Regina College). My inaugural design, gentle reader, embodied the Regina College colours brown, blue, and white and contained two crowns and a sheaf of wheat. The two crowns were meant to represent Regina, being the "Queen City," and the wheat sheaf was taken from the coat of arms of Saskatchewan.

Andrews chose the motto "Ut Qui Ministrat" to be inscribed in a ribbon banner just beneath my shield. The Latin (I adore classical language!) translates to “As one who serveth” (taken from Luke: 22:27). They were also the last words of the text chosen for the coronation sermon of King George V in 1911, a few months before the opening of Regina College. What an honour! I was so excited to make my debut on letterheads and start working for the College.

My design evolution

Most of my design elements have stayed the same over the years’, however, some have changed to reflect the journey of the University. In the 1920s, I exchanged my original blue, brown, and white colours for the yellow and green that endure today. The yellow was chosen to represent wheat and the green to represent forests and grasslands. The colours also matched the provincial coat of arms for Saskatchewan.

In 1924, renowned architect James Henry Puntin, put pencil and water colour to paper in my honour. He made the blueprint for a leather version of me that would eventually hang in Darke Hall (and go on to other adventures described later in this written account). Puntin designed the College Avenue Campus buildings, including Darke Hall, along with several of the original Regina public schools. You can view the original sketch for the leather crest dated and signed by him on December 18, 1924 (on file in the Dr. John Archer Library and Archives).

In 1963, my design was updated to reflect my second home: the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus. The arms of the U of S were placed over the crown on my dexter side (dexter is Latin for right. I prefer to use Latin when referencing my symbols and their placement).

When we gained autonomy from the University of Saskatchewan in 1974, my green and yellow colours were made lighter. The name underneath my shield changed in the full coat of arms from “UNIVERSITAS SASKATCHEWANENSIS” to “UNIVERSITAS REGINӔ.” I was deemed media worthy so a press release was issued.

Then in 1975, the original Latin motto “Ut qui ministrant” under my shield was exchanged for the English translation, “As one who serves.” I shed a tear but tempus fugit (time flies) and moved on. The meaning is what matters most, after all.

In the 1990s, the crown on my dexter side was completely removed and replaced by an open book. I thought the addition of the book was brilliant as it signifies the University’s role as a centre of learning.

A little modernization doesn’t hurt. My yellow was updated with a new and brighter gold colour in 2023. I take it they wanted me to feature more prominently and really “pop” as those in the creative fields say today. Marketing also made me a little wider (happens to the best of us with age) while my font was enlarged for greater legibility.

Stamp of approval from the Governor General

A momentous and exciting year for me was 2013. I was entered into the Canadian Heraldic Authority which manages the official creation of coats of arms, flags, and badges for all Canadian citizens and organizations. Finally, my true value was recognized.

During the approval process, I welcomed back the second crown on my dexter side and the open book was placed centrally between the two crowns. With my new status, I also became protected with strict guidelines for my usage. What a relief. Anyone who alters or uses me without proper permissions could face charges. Serious indeed! Before placing me within your document or advertisement, I implore you to review the U of R visual identity guidelines if in doubt.

The official announcement of my heraldic status was published in the March 2014 edition of the Canada Gazette. The first degrees bearing the new and approved design were granted at the Spring 2014 Convocation.

What would a life be without some trials?

I would be remiss if I did not mention a rather low point in my history. It was back in 1999, when the gorgeous leather version of me which once hung above centre stage in the auditorium of Darke Hall was discovered on a table at a (ahem) garage sale in Calgary! Oh, the horror! I don’t recall arriving there and no one has been able to confirm the details of my travels.

Brad McNaughton, a chiropractor and U of R alumni (as well as my hero), happened to stop at the garage sale because it was near his home. The seller mentioned the crest once hung in Darke Hall where McNaughton had spent many hours as a youth when he played violin in the Junior Orchestra. Just like that, he purchased me on the spot for less than $20 and tucked me away with plans to eventually frame and hang me in a special place of honour.

Ten years later, he rediscovered me on a shelf in the basement of his mother’s Regina home. He had moved to the UK and left me safe with her. McNaughton made the wise decision to call the University and speak to Archivist Alyssa Hyduk. He then brought me safely to her and now I am recovering peacefully in her care.

I have heard there are plans to restore me to my former glory and hang me back up someday which is extremely exciting indeed, but for now I am enjoying this restorative period. If you so choose, gentle reader, you can view me during my former glory days at Darke Hall in the Archer Library photo collection here.

I also had a period of sadness and slight dejection starting in 2009. The decision was made to remove me from the official U of R logo. The preference at the time was to use only the wordmark, a text-only display with the name of the University. I was invited to become part of the official logo again in 2015 and leapt at the opportunity. I knew the Marketing department would see sense.

If you discover U of R memorabilia in need of shelter or restoration, please reach out to the Dr. John Archer Library and Archives.

The adventure continues…

It is an understatement, gentle reader, to say that I’m immensely proud to represent the University of Regina and to be part of the 50^th Anniversary celebrations! I take my work seriously and try to stay humble while bursting with pride at the accomplishments of this remarkable institution for which I work.

Do you know what the best part of being the University of Regina crest is? I go home with hundreds of students after every convocation on their degrees (paper and digital) and visit locations around the globe – as one who serves. We truly go far, together!

Banner: Photo Courtesy U of R Photography