Establishing the University Campus

ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS OF LUTHER COLLEGE

By Past President, Don Lee

When Harold Dietrich set in place the cornerstone for Luther College’s new building on the University of Regina campus half a century ago, it marked both a beginning and an ending— the beginning of the College’s service to students as part of a federated system on the Regina University campus and the end of many years of planning.

In 1926, Luther College moved its high school campus from Melville to its current location at 1500 Royal Street in Regina and eventually expanded its program to include a junior college affiliated with both the University of Saskatchewan and Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. There was continuing ambition among some of its leaders for Luther to one day become a private, stand-alone four-year College, similar to several Lutheran colleges in the United States. However, because the system of higher education in Saskatchewan is different from that in the U.S., private colleges here usually became four-year institutions by federating with a provincial university.

Almost a decade prior to the aforementioned placement of the cornerstone, Luther had been invited to become federated with a new university in Regina, which was initially called the University of Saskatchewan-Regina Campus. To do so, Luther was required to close its junior college and construct new facilities across town on the campus of what is now the University of Regina. To accomplish that required an extraordinary amount of planning and praying. Funds had to be raised to pay for construction and other costs, a decision had to be made as to what specific facilities would be constructed, the buildings had to be designed and a builder engaged, faculty and staff had to be hired, arrangements with the University negotiated, and an administrative structure put in place.

The task was enormous. Many corporations and individuals provided financial support, while others contributed by volunteering in their areas of expertise. However, there is little doubt in my mind that the two people most responsible for moving the overall project along were Luther’s Board Chair, Dr. Harold Dietrich, and President, Dr. Morris Anderson. Without their vision, expertise, and leadership, it is quite likely that Luther may have been content to remain a junior college connected to the high school campus on Royal Street. In fact, the idea of a college integrated with a larger university was a new concept as far as Lutheran higher education in North America was concerned. There was a prevailing philosophy that students could be best prepared for life by providing a sound academic program in a protective milieu as they matured from older teenagers to young adults. It was felt that they should be exposed to conflicting societal concepts and different religious ideas in a secure environment, under the guidance of a group of wise and caring professors. Such would not be the case if the students were intermixed on a large secular

Board Chair Harold Dietrich lays the cornerstone of the university campus on October 3, 1971.

Luther's President, Dr. Morris Anderson and Board Chair, Dr. Harold Dietrich

campus where they would receive only a part of their education from Luther’s faculty members—a major concern for the Board of Regents as they considered federation.

On the other hand, some members of the Board saw federation as an opportunity for wider service to a much larger number of students. Having an active presence on the University campus would permit the College to legitimately share its Christian philosophy with future leaders of Canada and beyond. It was this approach, requiring both faith and courage, that was adopted.

The day that Harold placed the cornerstone in the wall of the new building, October 3, 1971, was a joyous occasion. Although the weather was not particularly cooperative, a large group of supporters gathered to give thanks, to congratulate the leaders, and to marvel at what had been accomplished. The Rex Schneider Auditorium was packed. The festival speaker, Dr. William Hordern (father of future President, Rev. Dr. Richard Hordern), expressed both enthusiasm and concern for the years that lay ahead.

Fifty years later, it can be said that the Federated College, with God’s blessing, has faithfully educated several generations of students, enriching their lives in many ways, while responding boldly to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28: 18-20.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(NRSV Matt. 28: 18-20)