University of Lethbridge facts for kids
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| Motto | Latin: Fiat Lux |
|---|---|
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Motto in English
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Let there be light |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1967 |
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Academic affiliations
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Universities Canada |
| Endowment | $95 million (2023) |
| Chancellor | Terry Whitehead |
| President | Digvir Jayas |
| Provost | Michelle Helstein |
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Academic staff
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491 |
| Students | 8,263 |
| Undergraduates | 7,528 |
| Postgraduates | 735 |
| Address |
49°40′42″N 112°51′50″W / 49.6782°N 112.8640°W |
| Campus | Urban 185 ha (1,850,000 m2) |
| Colours | Blue and Gold |
| Nickname | Pronghorns |
|
Sporting affiliations
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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.
Contents
University History
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)
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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
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 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
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
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
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East-facing view of University Hall before the Science Commons building was built
See also
- University of Lethbridge Students' Union
- CKXU-FM
- Lethbridge Pronghorns
