Brandon University is a

university A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...

located in the city of

Brandon, Manitoba Brandon () is the second-largest city in the province of Manitoba, Canada. It is located in the southwestern corner of the province on the banks of the Assiniboine River, approximately west of the provincial capital, Winnipeg, and east of the ...

, Canada, with an enrolment of approximately 3,375 (2020) full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon College as a

Baptist Baptists are a Christian denomination, denomination within Protestant Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers (believer's baptism) and doing so by complete Immersion baptism, immersion. Baptist churches ge ...

institution. It was

charter A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified. It is implicit that the granter retains superiority (or sovereignty), and that the ...

ed as a university by then President John E. Robbins on June 5, 1967. The enabling legislation is the Brandon University Act.Brandon University Act
/ref> Brandon University is one of several predominantly undergraduate liberal arts and sciences institutions in Canada. The university is a member of the

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada Universities Canada () is an organization that represents Canada's universities. It is a non-profit national organization that coordinates university policies, guidance and direction. Formed in 1911, as the Association of Universities and Colleg ...

(AUCC) and the

Association of Commonwealth Universities The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is a charitable organization that was established in 1913, and has over 400 member institutions in over 40 countries across the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth.Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID) and a member of

U Sports U Sports (stylized as U SPORTS) is the national sport governing body for universities in Canada, comprising the majority of degree-granting universities in the country and four regional conferences: Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Résea ...

. Brandon University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1 and sixty percent of all classes have fewer than 20 students. The university press, The Quill, is a member of

CUP A cup is an open-top vessel (container) used to hold liquids for drinking, typically with a flattened hemispherical shape, and often with a capacity of about . Cups may be made of pottery (including porcelain), glass, metal, wood, stone, pol ...

History

The university has its origins in the McKee’s Academy, founded in 1890 by the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (member of the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada). In 1899, the school was renamed Brandon College. The first principal of the college was A. P. McDiarmid. McKee's Academy, including its building on Rosser Avenue, was merged into the new institution. On July 13, 1900, the cornerstone was laid by Mrs. Davies for the first building of the present campus, at the corner of 18th Street and Lorne Avenue. This and the adjoining Clarke Hall later became Brandon University's administration buildings. Brandon College, built 1900-01 and the adjoining Clark Hall (1905–06) designed by architect William Alexander Elliott, a 3½-storey brick and stone complex are on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada. At this point Brandon College was a liberal arts college and offered some training in theology, secondary school classes, and a commercial department. A school of music was added in 1906. The college remained affiliated with

McMaster University McMaster University (McMaster or Mac) is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main McMaster campus is on of land near the residential neighbourhoods of Ainslie Wood, Ontario, Ainslie Wood and Westdale, Ontario, Westd ...

between 1911 and 1938, and during this time the School of Music granted graduate diplomas in voice and piano. Class enrolments were reduced during World War I as potential students signed up for military service. More than 200 Brandon College students served in the war; two of these won the Victoria Cross. A platoon from the college joined the Western Universities Battalion in France in 1916. In 1922 college added a Science Building, and ceased offering commercial courses. Religious studies were integrated into the arts curriculum in 1928. After 1931, the college no longer taught Grade 9, 10, and 11 courses, but Grade 12 Department of Education courses were introduced and continued until 1955. The Baptist Church ceased financing the institution in 1938 and the college became non-denominational. Funding to keep the college functioning was raised through public subscriptions, by an endowment from A. E. McKenzie, by tax levy from the City of Brandon, and through an annual grant from the government of Manitoba. The college became affiliated with the University of Manitoba; music courses as a credit to BA and BSc degrees were offered, and a Bachelor of Science program was implemented in 1939. The COTC program was revived at the onset of World War II; once again enrolment dropped, as 234 Brandon College students joined Canada's armed forces. New bursaries and scholarships were introduced. At this point, the college had 14 faculty members and about 100 students. During the late 1940s, the social sciences were introduced. Brandon College began training high school teachers in 1952, and elementary teachers three years later. The first graduates of the new Bachelor of Training program received degrees in 1971. As part of a national program to expand universities and colleges, in the 1950s Brandon College increased its enrolment and by 1962 the Arts and Library Building, later named the A. E. McKenzie Building, the J. R. C. Evans Lecture Theatre, the steam plant, Darrach Hall (men's residence), and the dining hall were all completed. In 1963 the college offered the first B.Mus. program in Manitoba, and the Music Building and Flora Cowan Hall (women's residence) were built. The School of Music developed a conservatory department and offered private tutoring. The Brandon University Gymnasium was opened in 1965. A Manitoba Historical Plaque was erected in

by the province to commemorate Brandon College's role in Manitoba's heritage.

Brandon University

In 1967 the college attained university status through the Brandon University Act. Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra and the Honourable Angus Ogilvy were present at the presentation of the charter on June 5, 1967, That year The Education Building was opened, and in 1969 the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium was opened. McMaster Hall, a ten-storey co-ed residence, was completed in 1971, along with the Jeff Umphrey Memorial Centre for Mental Retardation, which housed a bookstore, bank, and a day centre as well as the research centre on mental disability. The J. R. Brodie Science Centre began holding classes in 1971, and was opened officially in May 1972, providing facilities for a number of departments: chemistry, physics, botany, zoology, geology, geography, mathematics and computer science, and psychology. In early 1980, the Master of Music Degree Program was set up and in September 1980, the Applied Program began. A Master of Music (Education) program was implemented in 1981. A new music building, officially named in 1984 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the "Queen Elizabeth II Music Building", was completed in 1985. In September 1986, Brandon University began offering classes in the Department of Nursing and Health Studies program, providing 2-Year Post-Diploma Baccalaureate Degrees in Nursing and Mental Health. In 1990, the university also offered a major in Business Administration through the Faculty of Arts. A Masters of Education program was set up in 1990, and in 1991 the college offered a minor in Women's Studies in the Faculty of Arts. In 1993, a minor in Aboriginal Art was approved, and in 1996, the 4-Year Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing was initiated. Between 1994 and 1997 Clark Hall and the Brandon College Building underwent renovation and reconstruction, with the retention of the original façade; these buildings house faculty and administration as well as classes. In 1997, the college initiated the School of Health Studies and a 4-Year Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1998, a Masters program in Rural Development and a bachelor's program in First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling were launched. In 1999, the university celebrated its centennial. To mark the occasion, an excavation of the original Prairie College school site was carried out with the help of community members. The Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies program was initiated in the fall of 2001. The Health Studies Complex was opened in September 2003, to house the School of Health Studies and the First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling program. The complex includes a large round room equipped for holding traditional ceremonies performed by First Nations and Métis students. By 2002, Brandon University had enrolment of 3,098 and a faculty of 220. The next year the Bachelor of Environmental Science program was implemented and a four-year Creative Arts program and the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program were begun. In September 2005 Brandon University's Rural and Community Studies Program expanded from its existing three-year BA program to include four-year honours, four-year major, and four-year minor Bachelor of Arts degrees. In September 2008, a 17-day strike of the university's faculty took place. Contract negotiations broke down again in the fall of 2011, and a 45-day strike by university faculty members ensued. In 2013, the university opened a Healthy Living Centre athletics facility, on the site of the former Kinsmen Memorial Stadium. The centre, which includes an indoor walking track, hosts the Bobcats and provides fitness facilities for students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Faculties, schools, departments, and research centres

*Faculty of Arts **Aboriginal and Visual Arts, Anthropology, Business Administration, Drama, Economics, English, Gender and Women's Studies, History, Classical and Modern Languages, Native Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Rural Development, Sociology *Faculty of Education **Administration and Educational Services, Curriculum & Instruction: Humanities, Curriculum & Instruction: Math/Science, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, Physical Education, Music Education, Graduate Studies *Faculty of Graduate Studies ** Graduate Diploma in Education, Master in Education, Music Graduate Program, Master of Psychiatric Nursing, Master in Rural Development, Graduate Diploma in Rural Development *Faculty of Science **Applied Disaster & Emergency Studies, Biology (Botany & Zoology discontinued in 2009), Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography and Environment, Geology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology *Faculty of Health Studies **Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Mental Health, Indigenous Health, and Human Services, First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling *School of Music **Honours (General Studies), Performance, Education, Jazz Studies, Graduate Studies in Performance, Music Education and Composition * Research Centres ** Rural Development Institute (RDI) ** Environmental Science Laboratories ** Micro Analytical Facility ** Study of Cultural Adaptations in the Prairie Ecozone (SCAPE) ** Brandon University Centre for Aboriginal and Rural Education (BU CARES) Brandon University is an active member of the

University of the Arctic The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arcti ...

. UArctic is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of more than 200 universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arctic region.

Degrees and programs

Undergraduate

* Bachelor of Arts (BA) * Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) * Bachelor of Education (BEd) * Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) * Bachelor of First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling (BFNAC) * Bachelor of Music (BMus) * Bachelor of Nursing (BN) * Bachelor of Science (BSc) * Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSES) * Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (BScPN)

Graduate

Master of Education The Master of Education (MEd or M.Ed. or Ed.M.; Latin ''Magister Educationis'' or ''Educationis Magister'') is a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum an ...

(MEd) *

Master of Music The Master of Music (MM or MMus) is, as an academic title, the first graduate degree in music awarded by universities and conservatories. The MM combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization (usually performance in singing or i ...

(MMus) * Master of Rural Development (MRD) * Master in Psychiatric Nursing * Master of Science in Environmental and Life Sciences (MSc)

Diplomas

* Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (GRD) * Post Diploma in Mental Health (BScMN)

Programs

* Brandon University Hutterite Education Program (BUHEP) * Program for the Education of Native Teachers (PENT) * Community Based Education (CBE)

Defunct programs

* Brandon University Northern Teacher Education Program (BUNTEP)

Scholarships

The university joined Project Hero, a scholarship program cofounded by General (Ret'd) Rick Hillier, for the families of fallen

Canadian Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...

members. The Government of Canada sponsors an Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool that lists over 680 scholarships, bursaries, and other incentives offered by governments, universities, and industry to support Aboriginal post-secondary participation. Brandon University scholarships for Aboriginal,

First Nations First nations are indigenous settlers or bands. First Nations, first nations, or first peoples may also refer to: Indigenous groups *List of Indigenous peoples *First Nations in Canada, Indigenous peoples of Canada who are neither Inuit nor Mé ...

and

Métis The Métis ( , , , ) are a mixed-race Indigenous people whose historical homelands include Canada's three Prairie Provinces extending into parts of Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northwest United States. They ha ...

students include: Maria Ross Scholarship; Isabelle Douglas Estate Scholarships; Manitoba Blue Cross George J. Strang Scholarship; Gerdau MRM Steel Inc. Annual Scholarship; Donna and Bill Parrish Scholarship for Aboriginal Students;

Scotiabank The Bank of Nova Scotia (), operating as Scotiabank (), is a Canadian multinational corporation, multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. One of Canada's Big Five (banks), Big Five banks, it is the ...

Scholarships for Aboriginal students in financial need; Manitoba Industry, Economic Development and Mines Bursaries in Geology; First Nations Teacher Education Scholarships; Manitoba Citizens' Bursary Fund for Aboriginal Peoples; Louis Riel Institute Bursaries; Manitoba Hydro Employment Equity Bursary.

Student activities

Athletics

The university's sports teams in

are called the Brandon Bobcats. Brandon University competes in basketball (men/women) and volleyball (men/women). Brandon University used to field a men's hockey team in the CIAU, however, that ceased in 2000. In the 2006–07 academic year, the Bobcats advanced to the Canadian Basketball Finals. They placed second to

Carleton University Carleton University is an English-language public university, public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1942 as Carleton College, the institution originally operated as a private, non-denominational evening college to se ...

, in a hard-fought 52–49 game. In 2016, the Bobcats hosted the CIS National Women's Volleyball Championship.

Music

Music students can join the Brandon University Orchestra.

Indigenous

Brandon University provides services in more remote communities. Indigenous Elders are present on campus at Brandon University to provide social support.

Governance

Administration

*Chancellor – Mary Jane McCallum *President and Vice Chancellor – David Docherty *Provost and Vice President (Academic) – Kofi Campbell *Vice President (Administration & Finance) – Scott Lamont

Deans

*Arts – Balfour Spence (Acting) *Education – Heather Duncan *Health Studies – Linda Ross (Acting) *Music – Greg Gatien *Science – Bernadette Ardelli

Student governance

Brandon University students are represented by the Brandon University Students' Union (BUSU). BUSU represents undergraduate, graduate, and distance students. BUSU is a member of the

Canadian Federation of Students The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is a student organization in Canada, representing over 530,000 students from across Canada. Formed in 1981, the stated goal of the Federation is to represent the collective voice of Canadian students a ...

, local 37. The current BUSU executive is: *President – Olufunke Adeleye *Vice President Internal – Vacant *Vice President External – Similouwa Omoteye

University chancellors

* Mary Jane McCallum (2021–Present) * Michael Decter (2013–2021) * Henry Champ (2009–2012) *

Edward Schreyer Edward Richard Schreyer (born December 21, 1935) is a Canadian politician, diplomat, and statesman who served as the 22nd governor general of Canada from 1979 to 1984. He previously served as the 16th premier of Manitoba from 1969 to 1977. Schr ...

(2002–2008) * Kevin Kavanagh (1996–2002) * Ronald D. Bell (1991–1996) * Stanley Knowles (1970–1990) * Maitland Steinkopf (1967–1970)

University presidents

*David Docherty (2019–present) *Steve Robinson (2017–2019) *Gervan Fearon (2014–2017) * Deborah Poff (2009–2014) * Louis Visentin (2000–2009) *Dennis Anderson (1990–2000) *John Mallea (1985–1990) *E. J. Tyler (1984–1985) *Harold J. Perkins (1977–1984) *Lloyd Dulmage (1970–1977) *R. F. B. King (1969–1970, acting president) * John E. Robbins (1967–1969, president Brandon University) * John E. Robbins (1960–1967, president Brandon College) *H. S. Perdue (1959–1960, acting president) *Dr. J. R. C. Evans

Notable alumni

* Marjorie Beaucage,

filmmaker * Henry Champ, Canadian broadcast journalist *

Tommy Douglas Thomas Clement Douglas (20 October 1904 – 24 February 1986) was a Scottish-born Canadian politician who served as the seventh premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961 and leader of the New Democratic Party from 1961 to 1971. A Bap ...

, father of medicare and The Greatest Canadian (as voted on by CBC viewers) * Stanley Knowles,

New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party (NDP; , ) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic: * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Editors of ''Encyclopædia Britann ...

Member of Parliament * Branden Leslie,

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...

Member of Parliament * Frank McKinnon, sports executive and Member of

Order of Canada The Order of Canada () is a Canadian state order, national order and the second-highest Award, honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the Canadian Centennial, ce ...

Andy Murray Sir Andrew Barron Murray (born 15 May 1987) is a British former professional tennis player and coach. He was ranked as the List of ATP number 1 ranked singles tennis players, world No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professio ...

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

and Team Canada head coach * Olivia Poole, inventor of the Jolly Jumper * Brian Pallister,

Conservative Party of Canada The Conservative Party of Canada (CPC; , ), sometimes referred to as the Tories, is a Government of Canada, federal List of political parties in Canada, political party in Canada. It was formed in 2003 by the merger of the two main Right-wing ...

Member of Parliament, Manitoba MLA and

Premier of Manitoba The premier of Manitoba () is the first minister (i.e., head of government or chief executive) for the Canadian province of Manitoba—as well as the ''de facto'' President of the province's Executive Council. In formal terms, the premier rec ...

* Mike Pellicciotti, American politician and Washington State Treasurer * H. Clare Pentland, historian at the

University of Manitoba The University of Manitoba (U of M, UManitoba, or UM) is a public research university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1877, it is the first university of Western Canada. Both by total student enrolment and campus area, the University of ...

Neil Robertson Neil Alexander Robertson (born 11 February 1982) is an Australian professional snooker player, who is a former List of World Snooker Championship winners, world champion and former List of world number one snooker players, world number one. He ...

, mathematician known for the

Robertson–Seymour theorem In graph theory, the Robertson–Seymour theorem (also called the graph minors theorem) states that the undirected graphs, partially ordered by the graph minor relationship, form a well-quasi-ordering. Equivalently, every family of graphs that is ...

* John W. M. Thompson, Manitoba MLA and provincial cabinet minister

References

External links

Brandon University Official Website

Brandon University Students Union Official Website
(BUSU)
Brandon University Athletics

{{Coord, 49, 48, 34, N, 97, 07, 58, W, type:edu_region:CA-MB, display=title Universities and colleges in Manitoba Universities and colleges established in 1899 1890 establishments in Manitoba