“Many people are of the belief that the University of Regina was created in 1974. Actually, it already existed.”
Thus began the Centennial Legacy Lecture with Dr. James Pitsula, U of R Professor Emeritus (History), author, and expert on the history of the U of R. The lecture was a special part of the As One Who Serves reception for current and former faculty and staff during the University’s 50th Anniversary Alumni Week in October. Interestingly, the event was held in Darke Hall on the College Avenue Campus – once home to Regina College, the predecessor of the current day U of R. So, while the U of R is celebrating five decades as an independent, degree-granting institution, its roots go back more than a century.
Pitsula would go on to say, “What happened in 1974 was the acknowledgement that there was a new university and that an act of government made it a legally independent university.”
With his deep knowledge about the U of R and his passion for storytelling, Dr. Pitsula captivated the audience, shedding light on pivotal moments in the University’s past and introducing us to the figures who helped shape its history from Reverend Wilbur Williams Andrews, the first president of Regina College (1911) to Dr. John Archer, the first president and vice-chancellor of the U of R all the way to Dr. Jeff Keshen, the current and eighth president and vice-chancellor of the University.
Pitsula has written three books about the history of the institution, including Honouring Our Past, Embracing Our Future, a special publication released on the 100th anniversary of the found of Regina College.
Click below to catch the latest U of R podcast 50th Anniversary Conversations featuring Dr. James Pitsula.
Recently, Greg Campbell of University Communications and Marketing sat down with Dr. Pitsula to take a deeper dive into the University of Regina’s journey. From the early days of Regina College to the pivotal decision to establish independence, Dr. Pitsula shares stories of the University’s growth, challenges, and triumphs.
Banner photo: Dr. James Pitsula, Department of History professor emeritus, gave the appreciative audience gathered at Darke Hall a lesson on the history of the U of R. His lecture was part of special 50th Anniversary celebrations held this past October during Alumni Week. Credit: University Communications and Marketing
About the University of Regina
2024 marked our 50th anniversary as an independent University (although our roots as Regina College date back more than a century!). As we celebrate our past, we work towards a future that is as limitless as the prairie horizon. We support the health and well-being of our 17,200 students and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities to develop career-ready graduates – more than 92,000 alumni enrich communities in Saskatchewan and around the globe. Our research enterprise has grown to 21 research centres and 9 Canada Research Chairs. Our campuses are on Treaties 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. We seek to grow our relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future.
Let’s go far, together.