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University of Lethbridge
University of lethbridge logo.svg
Motto Latin: Fiat Lux
Motto in English
Let there be light
Type Public
Established 1967; 58 years ago (1967)
Academic affiliations
Universities Canada
Endowment $95 million (2023)
Chancellor Terry Whitehead
President Digvir Jayas
Provost Michelle Helstein
Academic staff
491
Students 8,263
Undergraduates 7,528
Postgraduates 735
Address
4401 University Drive
Lethbridge, Alberta
T1K 3M4

49°40′42″N 112°51′50″W / 49.6782°N 112.8640°W / 49.6782; -112.8640 (University of Lethbridge)
Campus Urban
185 ha (1,850,000 m2)
Colours Blue      and      Gold
Nickname Pronghorns
Sporting affiliations
U Sports, CWUAA,
Mascot Luxie — the pronghorn

The University of Lethbridge (also called uLethbridge or U of L) is a public university in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It also has a campus in Calgary, Alberta. This university was started with a focus on a broad, well-rounded education.

University History

Wutzke-45th
March in support of the university being located in west Lethbridge
Early University Hall
University Hall in 1972

The University of Lethbridge opened in 1967 with 650 students. In 1971, the university moved to its permanent home in west Lethbridge. This happened after University Hall was finished. Student numbers grew to over 1,200.

Choosing the university's location was a big discussion. The government wanted it in east Lethbridge. But after the first graduation ceremony in 1968, over 500 students, teachers, and community members marched. They wanted the university in west Lethbridge. Soon after, the government agreed to the west Lethbridge location.

University Hall was designed by a famous architect named Arthur Erickson. It sits in the river valley above the Oldman River. This building was even featured on a Canadian postage stamp! It was one of four buildings chosen to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Over the next 50 years, the number of students grew a lot. By 2019, there were over 8,000 students. The university now offers more than 150 different programs. These include studies in Arts, Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, and Fine Arts. There are also over 50 Master's and PhD programs.

In 2022, the university's faculty (teachers) went on strike for the first time. They were asking for better working conditions and fair pay. The strike ended in March 2022. The faculty voted to accept a new agreement with the university.

Campus Development

The university campus has grown a lot with many new buildings.

The Library (LINC)

University of Lethbridge (178056748)
The Library (LINC) at the University of Lethbridge

The Library, also known as the LINC (Library Information Network Centre), opened in 2001. It took 10 years to raise money for it. The LINC holds the university's books and has many study areas. It also offers some of the best views on campus.

Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN)

The CCBN is home to Canada's first Department of Neuroscience. Neuroscience is the study of the brain and nervous system. This center has modern labs and has attracted top researchers.

1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport & Wellness

1st Choice Savings Centre.
The 1st Choice Savings Centre

The 1st Choice Savings Centre is a busy place on campus. It has many sports and wellness facilities:

  • A large gym with three courts for basketball or other sports. It has seats for 2,000 people.
  • A big climbing wall that is 2,000 square feet.
  • A new fitness center and an indoor running track that is 200 meters long.
  • Studios for yoga, dance, and fitness classes.
  • Modern change rooms with steam rooms.

Turcotte Hall

Turcotte Hall.
Turcotte Hall - Faculty of Education

Turcotte Hall opened in 2008. It is where the Faculty of Education is located. It also houses Counselling Services for students.

Alberta Water and Environment Science Building (AWESB)

The AWESB was finished in 2008. It was built using many green features. It even earned a special "silver LEED" award for being environmentally friendly. This building is home to many top water researchers. It also houses the Water Institute for Sustainable Environments.

Community Sports Stadium

This $12-million sports facility was built with help from the City of Lethbridge and the Alberta government. The Stadium includes:

  • One artificial grass field for soccer, rugby, or football, with lights.
  • One natural grass soccer field.
  • A 400-meter outdoor running track with eight lanes.
  • Areas for throwing and jumping events.
  • Stadium seating for 2,000 spectators.

Markin Hall

TradingFloormain 0
Trading room in Markin Hall

Markin Hall is named after Dr. Alan Markin, who gave a lot of money to the building. It is home to the Dhillon School of Business and the Faculty of Health Sciences. The building has a "Trading Room." This room lets students practice trading stocks and managing money. It connects them to real global markets. It also has a Simulation Health Centre. Here, Health Sciences students can practice on lifelike mannequins. These mannequins can act like real patients in a hospital setting.

Science Commons

The newest building at the university is the Science Commons. It opened in 2019 and cost $280 million. This large building has labs and teaching spaces. It also has "outreach" and "maker" spaces. "Maker spaces" are places where students can create and build things. The Science Commons is home to over 100 researchers in many science fields. These include physics, chemistry, biology, and psychology.

University President

The current president of the University of Lethbridge is Digvir Jayas. He started his first term in July 2023.

Academic Programs

The University of Lethbridge offers many different degrees. These include degrees for undergraduate students (first degrees) and graduate students (advanced degrees). They are offered through four faculties and three schools.

The university is known as a "comprehensive academic and research university." This means it offers a wide range of programs. It also focuses strongly on research.

Aboriginal Student Programs

The University of Lethbridge has special programs for Aboriginal students. These include first-year programs to help students get started. The university also works with Aboriginal communities. For example, the Niitsitapi Teacher Education Program helps train teachers for these communities.

Research at the University

The University of Lethbridge is a university that focuses a lot on research. In 2012, it was named "Research University of the Year" for undergraduate universities. It often ranks high in getting funding for research, especially in science.

The university has 15 special centers and institutes. These groups bring together researchers from different fields. Some examples include:

  • The Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN)
  • The Institute for Child and Youth Studies (I-CYS)
  • The Institute for Space Imaging Science (ISIS)
  • The Water Institute for Sustainable Environments (WISE)

Students, even those in their first degree, can get involved in research. The university is a leader in Alberta for students helping with research that can be published.

Faculties and Schools

University of lethbridge SU
Students' Union building at University of Lethbridge

The University of Lethbridge offers over 150 degree programs. It has seven faculties and schools. These are where students earn their bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

  • Faculty of Arts and Science
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Fine Arts
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Dhillon School of Business
  • School of Graduate Studies
  • School of Liberal Education

The Faculty of Arts and Science offers programs that prepare students for professional careers. These include dentistry, journalism, law, and medicine. Students can also start an engineering program here. After their first year, they can transfer to the University of Alberta or the University of Saskatchewan.

The Agility program started in 2015. This program helps students develop new ideas and start businesses. It encourages innovation in many areas, including social projects. The university also works with other groups to help students create new companies.

University Rankings

University rankings
Global rankings
Times World 1201–1500
U.S News & World Report Global 1741
Canadian rankings
Times National 31
U.S News & World Report National 37
Maclean's Undergrad 6
Maclean's Reputation 37

The University of Lethbridge was ranked 6th in Canada in 2024. This ranking was for universities that focus mainly on undergraduate studies.

Athletics and Sports

The university's sports teams are called the Lethbridge Pronghorns. They compete in U Sports, which is Canada's university sports league. The Pronghorns have men's and women's teams in many sports:

  • Basketball
  • Judo
  • Rugby (women only)
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Track and field

The Pronghorns have won national championships. The men's hockey team won in 1994. The women's rugby team won in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The university also has an intramural program. This lets students play sports just for fun.

The main gym for the Pronghorns is the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport & Wellness. It has basketball courts, an indoor track, a climbing wall, and an exercise room. It is also open to the public.

An outdoor stadium opened in 2009. It is the home field for the Pronghorns soccer and women's rugby teams.

Art Gallery

The University of Lethbridge Art Gallery has one of the largest art collections in Canada. It has over 13,000 pieces of art. These include drawings, prints, paintings, photos, and sculptures. The collection features art from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The collection grew so much that a new building was needed in 1999. This building helps store the larger artworks. In 2006, the art collection was made available to view online.

Notable People

  • Esther Tailfeathers

Images for kids

See also

  • University of Lethbridge Students' Union
  • CKXU-FM
  • Lethbridge Pronghorns
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