In the late summer of 1964, the Port City eagerly anticipated the opening of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Saint John.
Community leaders and organizations such as the Saint John College Development Corporation and the Saint John Board of Trade had made a strong case for a university in Saint John as early as 1959.
As we welcome alumni back to the Saint John campus for Alumni Weekend 2025, we're reminded of the incredible journey that brought us here. From humble beginnings in church basements and borrowed classrooms to the vibrant Tucker Park campus we know today, UNB Saint John has been shaped by the pioneering spirit of its faculty, staff, students and the broader community. In honour of more than 60 years of excellence, we're taking a moment to look back at the visionaries who helped build this campus.
"As this case was made with increasing force, the provincial government seized the opportunity to address this and a number of other educational issues by establishing a Royal Commission on Higher Education in New Brunswick," noted Thomas J. Condon, vice president (UNB Saint John) 1977-1987 in Susan Montague's A Pictorial History of the University of New Brunswick.
In 1962, the commission released its report, which was led by distinguished Canadian economist John Deutsch (LLD'75): UNB would establish a campus in Saint John.
UNB president Dr. Colin B. Mackay appointed G. Forbes Elliot (BA 42, MA '50, LLD '77), a well-known educational administrator, as the first principal of the Saint John campus.
"[Forbes Elliot] had only a few months to establish procedures and policies, recruit faculty and staff, negotiate arrangements for space, renovate that space to meet university requirements, equip it, and all the while maintain effective liaison with a wide variety of departments at UNB whose work related to the functioning of UNB Saint John," Condon wrote.
Dr. Barry Beckett (PhD'70), alumnus, long-time professor and registrar emeritus, seized the opportunity by writing Forbes Elliot about an opening in the Faculty of Science. He was granted a two-year contract teaching chemistry in 1966.
Beckett remembers the early years being marked by a spirit of pioneering and community support.
"From the outset, we were aware that the community saw us as 'our university,' providing an opportunity for the young people of Saint John to pursue higher education options previously denied them because of cost," he said.
The campus buzzed with activity, with classes held in church basements and the YMCA. Despite challenges, the faculty and community were united in their mission to enrich the lives of Saint John students.
Students had access to the pool and gym at the YMCA and YWCA three days a week, and house league play in hockey, volleyball, basketball and other sports on Wednesday afternoons.
They could also attend concerts of the New Brunswick Symphony Orchestra (now Symphony NB) and winter events at the New Brunswick Museum for free.
Reflecting on the physical conditions of the early campus, Beckett shared, "The university I joined in1966 was very different from the campus of today."
The center of the university was Beaverbrook House, which had formerly housed the Law School and subsequently became the first student residence in Saint John. The barn attached to Beaverbrook House was converted into a room suitable for classes, and other rooms in the house were used for classrooms and offices.
"Apparently the barn still contained hay just prior to its conversion to a classroom, and as one taught in the room, it was easy to imagine the whiff of hay hanging heavy in the air," Beckett recalled.
The university used other buildings scattered throughout the city. Some of the more unique locations included the library, situated above a tire store and barber's shop on Union Street. The first-year chemistry lab was housed in the former liquor store of the old Provincial Building.
"Given the presence of a well-frequented tavern just a block away, we had visits from people somewhat perplexed by the new surroundings," Beckett noted.
Expansion in the first decade was not without challenges. "Against considerable opposition, we gradually added new programs, attracted new faculty and as a result, more students," Beckett explained.
"More than 70 students have applied to attend the University of New Brunswick branch in Saint John opening Sept. 22," said a front-page article in the Saint John Evening Times-Globe on Sept. 5, 1964. With opening day reporting that "the Class of 68 now consists of 97 students."
The majority of the students were local, many from families with no history of university attendance. Faculty and staff pitched in as advisers and counsellors, fostering a close-knit community.
Then, in 1969, the Tucker Park location opened, a huge milestone for UNB.
The late seventies and eighties saw the campus hitting its stride. Distinctive programs attracted students from further afield and enrolments increased.
"We not only rejoiced in the success of those who hit the high spots but also in the success of those who just managed to scrape a degree against all odds," Beckett said.
The campus maintained a personal touch, with a strong bond between faculty, students and the community, something that holds true 60 years later.
Today, graduates from UNB's Saint John campus are woven throughout the fabric of the city, province and beyond. Many are parents and grandparents of current students.
"My lawyer, dentist, dental hygienist, investment adviser, optometrist all attended this campus," Beckett noted. The campus continues to attract students from outside the region, adding diversity and richness to the local community.
UNB, with its two campuses working together, has much to offer not only to the citizens of this province but to those across the nation and beyond. The Saint John campus stands as a testament to the power of community, dedication and the pursuit of knowledge.
As the campus looks to the exciting new developments in its future, the pioneering spirit that drove its early years remains strong. Construction of the Health and Social Innovation Centre (HSIC) is progressing, which will house the Integrated Health Initiative, advance health research and position UNB as a leader in addressing the healthcare challenges that face our province and beyond.
UNB continues to be a centre for experiential education, connecting students with industry and the community. With these developments, the Saint John campus is poised to continue its legacy of enriching lives and fostering a strong community bond for many years to come.
