COLLEGE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC
College of the North Atlantic celebrates 60 years

College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is celebrating 60 years of excellence in education, marking the milestone with reflective events throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

At the same time as Beatlemania was spreading in the United Kingdom, and Martin Luther King, Jr. was delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in the United States, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was introducing a new form of public, post-secondary education.

The 1963-64 academic year witnessed students from throughout the province enroll in the College of Trades and Technology. By offering a high standard of education in an engaging, community environment, the college experience proved to be a popular one.

Elizabeth Kidd, CNA's President and CEO, explained there was a surge in demand for this kind of education and the college was soon followed by a series of 18 more district vocational schools.

In 1977, the Bay St. George Community College was established in Stephenville, bringing together the town's district vocational school, Heavy Equipment School, and Adult Upgrading Centre. It was the first step in a consolidation process that spanned three decades and several iterations, concluding with CNA as we know it today.

"It has been 60 years since our humble beginnings, and we are still making history," Kidd said. "Over the course of this anniversary year, our diamond jubilee, we will be sharing notable moments from our past while continuing to provide you with news about the advancements we are making today. We hope you enjoy the trips down memory lane and will walk along with us as we continue to build a brighter and better future for Newfoundland and Labrador."

The public is invited to join staff, faculty and students in acknowledging CNA's diamond jubilee. Over the course of the year ahead, CNA will share fascinating stories, photos, videos, and interactive highlights of the college's proud history.

For more information, visit College of the North Atlantic - Our History, our online magazine CNA Currents, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).