History of the Schulich School of Engineering
A HISTORY OF THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
The University of Calgary's Schulich School of Engineering (formerly the Faculty of Engineering) opened its doors to its first students in the fall of 1965. Its beginnings were humble: 59 students, two faculty members.
Since then, the faculty has grown to become one of Canada's premier engineering schools, boasting a full-time undergraduate enrolment of over 2,800, a full-time graduate enrolment of over 1,000 and 160 full-time faculty members.
The school marked its 40th anniversary in 2005, one year ahead of the University of Calgary as a whole. The school has its roots as a division of engineering under the University of Alberta, Calgary (UAC). The initial satellite campus was established in 1957 on the SAIT campus (then the Institute of Technology and Art). The opening of the UAC campus (current U of C campus site) was in the fall of 1960 and the UAC Engineering campus moved into the Science and Engineering building (now Science A). Construction of the current engineering complex began in 1963 and as the school's program offerings grew to include third and fourth-year offerings the school of engineering gained greater independence.
The first meeting of the Engineering Council was held on September 28, 1964 at which time a proposal was made requesting the establishment of a Faculty of Engineering in Calgary. Faculty status was granted effective April 1, 1965 with Dean Adam Neville appointed as the first dean of engineering in Calgary. With plans for autonomy well underway, the UAC name officially changed in 1966 to the University of Calgary.
Over the past two decades, the school has embraced rapid changes in technology and nurtured closer associations with industry.
Seymour Schulich (L) and Dean S.Chan Wirasinghe (R) In June 2005, the Schulich School of Engineering was born with a $50-million donation/benefaction from philanthropist Seymour Schulich that forever changed engineering at the University of Calgary.
The new money added over 100 new student scholarships, a $500,000 annual student activities fund to go toward student field trips and clubs/teams, and three new research chairs.
The school offers training in five traditional engineering disciplines: chemical and petroleum, civil, electrical and computer, geomatics, and mechanical and manufacturing engineering, and unique specialization programs in biomedical, project management, and environmental engineering.
The advanced research facilities and research centres are also supported by a strong corporate connection through industry advisory councils and the Engineering Associates Program, keeping students and graduates at the forefront of work and applied research in the engineering industry. The school also operates the largest internship program of its kind in the country, ensuring that students gain practical experience in addition to classroom theory.
With an aggressive five-year strategic plan launched in 2008, the Schulich School of Engineering is taking a leadership role as one of Canada's premier engineering schools.
For a detailed chronology, please click here.
Media Surrounding the Name Change
Dean's Past and Present
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Dean/Acting Dean
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Term Beginning
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Term End
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Adam Neville
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April 01, 1965
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June 30, 1967
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Rod De Paiva (Acting Dean)
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July 01, 1967
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June 30, 1968
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R. Ritter
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July 15, 1968
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July 31, 1974
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Grant Huber (Acting Dean)
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August 01, 1974
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December 31, 1974
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Art McMullen (Acting Dean)
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January 01, 1975
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June 30, 1975
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Thomas Barton
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July 01, 1975
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June 30, 1985
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Om Malik (Acting Dean)
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January 01, 1981
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June 30, 1981
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Len Bruton
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July 01, 1985
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June 30, 1990
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Edward Rhodes
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July 01, 1990
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December 31, 1993
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January 01, 1994
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June 30, 2006
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July 1, 2006
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June 30, 2010 |
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| Anil Mehrotra (Interim Dean) |
July 1, 2010 |
July 10, 2011 |
| Guy Gendron | July 11, 2011 |
Click the calendar for event listings from student clubs, teams and associations.