St. Mary's University (Calgary)

This article is about the Alberta university. For the Nova Scotia university, see Saint Mary's University (Halifax). For other uses, see Saint Mary's University (disambiguation).

St. Mary's University
MottoLatin: In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen
Motto in English
In Your Light We Shall See Light
TypePrivate
EstablishedSeptember 18, 1986
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic
ChancellorMost Reverend William T. McGrattan
PresidentScott Morrison
Students799 (2023-24 fulltime equivalent) [1]
Location
Calgary
,
Alberta
,
Canada

50°55′20″N 114°04′01″W / 50.9223°N 114.0670°W / 50.9223; -114.0670
CampusUrban, Enclosed Hilltop
NicknameLightning
Websitewww.stmu.ca

St. Mary’s University is a private Catholic university in Calgary, Alberta. A teaching and research university, St. Mary's is accredited by Alberta Advanced Education as an "Independent Academic Institution" and offers degrees in the liberal arts, sciences and education.[2] The university has 1025 full-time students, 80 full-time and part-time faculty, and an average class size of 25.[3]

History

St. Mary's University was founded as St. Mary's College in 1986. In 1993, John Thompson was appointed Executive director of the college.[4]

It became St. Mary's University College in 2004 and adopted its current name in 2014.[5][4]

In May 2026, St. Mary's will launch its first graduate program, a Master of Education with a Specialization in Catholic Leadership degree, offered fully online.[6]

President and vice-chancellors

  1. David Joseph Lawless (1996–1999)[4]
  2. Terrence Downey (1999–2011)[4]
  3. Gerry Turcotte (2011–2022)[4]
  4. Sinda Vanderpool (2022–2025)[7]
  5. Scott Morrison (2025–present; interim)[8]

Academics

St. Mary’s University is accredited to offering a Bachelor of Science degree, a Bachelor of Education after degree, eight Bachelor of Arts degrees including dehrees in general studies, liberal studies, English, history, psychology and biology program as well as courses in 35 academic disciplines.[9]

Campus

In September 2016, the new Heritage Centre building was officially opened.[10] The land upon which the campus is situated has several provincial heritage buildings dating from the early 1900s, including a wooden water tower. Due to their heritage status, any alteration of their exteriors is legally forbidden, with the exception of repair. The prohibition does not extend to their interior and as such these buildings have been transformed into new classrooms, a bookstore, common areas and a cafeteria. The water tower has been braced to protect it from collapse, and repainted in its original colour, Canadian Pacific Railway red, the only colour legally allowed due to its heritage status.

St. Mary's library contains over 30,000 titles and has 51 workstations accessible by students.[11] The St. Mary's library is also home to a Heritage Edition of The St. John's Bible. It is a fully illuminated bible that is handwritten by world renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson (calligrapher) who is the scribe to the Queen of England. It is arguably the first time a cathedral, monastery or religious organization has commissioned something to this scale in over 500 years.[12]

  • Distant view of St.Mary's University campus
  • St.Mary's University St. Basil's Hall Library
  • St.Mary's University historic water tower and carriage house
  • St.Mary's University Cairn dedicated to Father Albert Lacombe

Student life

The student body of St. Mary's is represented to faculty and administration by the Student Legislative Council (SLC). St. Mary's University supports student-run clubs and activities. Current clubs include the Psychology Association, Students 4 Social Justice, Pre-Law club, and the D&D club.[13] As of recently, the St. Mary's community had produced and premiered the play The Ghost Wilderness written by Dr. Gerry Turcotte.

Athletics

St. Mary’s University was a founding member of the Alberta Colleges Athletic League.[14] The league is composed of small colleges and has affiliated members in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The institution was accepted into the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) in May 2010. Lightning basketball teams began competing at this level in Fall 2012. In the fall of 2014, Lightning introduced its Cross Country program, making it St. Mary’s University’s third team competing in the ACAC.

Arms

Coat of arms of St. Mary's University
Notes
Granted 15 November 2013
Crest
On a rocky mount an osprey wings displayed proper grasping in the dexter claw a scroll Or.
Escutcheon
Azure a cross Or between 1st and 4th four M majuscules in cross, those in pale Or those in fess Argent, and 2nd and 3rd an open book Argent bound Or.
Supporters
Dexter a bison Or accorné and unguled Azure sinister a white-tailed deer Or attired and unguled Azure queued Argent both standing on a mount of prairie grass set with wild roses and garden lilies Proper.
Motto
In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen
Badge
Four M majuscules in cross those in pale Or those in fess Azure.[15]

References

  1. ^ "FLE Enrolment by Institution and Sector for 2018-19 Forward" (PDF). Alberta Government.
  2. ^ "St. Mary's University, Calgary, Canada | Courses, Fees, Eligibility and More". Archived from the original on 2021-04-18.
  3. ^ "St. Mary's University College, Calgary Alberta". Archived from the original on 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  4. ^ a b c d e "About Us – St. Mary's University". stmu.ca. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  5. ^ "St. Mary's named as university". CAUT. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  6. ^ "Master of Education with a Specialization in Catholic Leadership". Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  7. ^ "Dr. Sinda Vanderpool announced as new President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Mary's University - StMU". Archived from the original on 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  8. ^ "Dr. Scott Morrison Named Interim President at St. Mary's University". Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  9. ^ "Improve your academic skills at St. Mary's University!".
  10. ^ "Parker: Heritage Centre opens at expanding St. Mary's University". Calgary Herald. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  11. ^ "StMU Library". Library.stmu.ca. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  12. ^ Wentz, Margaret R. (2011). "The Saint John's Bible". Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 86 (8): e46 – via PubMed Central.
  13. ^ "Clubs at St Mary's".
  14. ^ "An Introduction to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference".
  15. ^ "St Mary's University College". Canadian Heraldic Authority. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
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