But UCalgary didn't become independent overnight. The story of the university's independence stretches back decades before that landmark year.
Aerial view of the University of Calgary campus in 1966 including Calgary Hall, the library, Science A, Science B, and Administration. Photo Courtesy of University Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
We sat down with Curtis Frederick, a university records archivist within UCalgary's Archives and Special Collections team, to explore the milestones, memories and little-known details behind one of the city's defining moments in higher education: the creation of a university.
Community pride and persistence
Frederick says the push for a university in Calgary dates back to the province's founding.
"When Edmonton was named the capital in 1905, many Calgarians thought the university would come here," Frederick says with a smile.
"Premier Alexander Rutherford promised it would be south of the North Saskatchewan River and technically it was, in Strathcona, which didn't make Calgary very happy."
Even after that disappointment, Calgarians kept the dream alive.
"Provincial Normal School, Calgary, Alberta," [ca. 1912], by unknown. Photo Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
"The university traces its roots back to the Alberta Normal School that was founded in 1905 to train teachers," Frederick says. "It started in the McDougall Centre downtown before moving to the SAIT campus in 1922."
But there was a desire early on for a local post-secondary school that covered a much wider field.
"In 1910, citizens tried to start a private institution called Calgary College. They raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and even secured land," Frederick recounts, adding that at one point, the school was even unofficially dubbed "The University of Calgary."
"But, when the province refused to grant it the power to award degrees, the college eventually closed during the First World War."
Before autonomy: a branch in bloom
Before autonomy, Calgary's post-secondary story was one of slow, but steady growth.
In lieu of a full local university, a branch of the University of Alberta operated here instead.
For many years, students in Calgary could only complete the first portions of their degrees locally.
"You had to go to Edmonton to finish your final years at the University of Alberta," says Frederick.
"It wasn't until the early 1960s that students could complete full degree programs here."
The push for independence
The path to autonomy was gradual and fuelled by determination.
"It wasn't a single event it was a movement that built over time," says Frederick.
"Image of the University Theatre lobby," 1966, by Neil Crichton. Photo Courtesy of University Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
Key milestones include:
- 1947: Dr. A.L. Doucette becomes the first director of the Calgary Branch of the University of Alberta.
- 1951: A citizen-led Calgary University Committee begins lobbying for autonomy.
- 1960: The new campus officially opens under Principal Malcolm G. Taylor.
- 1963: Students and staff hold protests and awareness campaigns pushing for a fully local university. "A student referendum that year had nearly 80 per cent voting in favour of autonomy," Frederick says.
- 1965: Financial and academic autonomy is granted.
- 1966: Full independence is achieved, and today's University of Calgary is born.
Frederick highlights the leadership that made it possible.
"Dr. Doucette, Malcolm Taylor and Herb Armstrong, the first President of the University of Calgary, were all major figures in pushing for autonomy. Each helped shape the vision of what an independent university in Calgary could be," Frederick says.
There were other key events, too: by 1955, the city of Calgary had transferred a parcel of prairie land to the university for a new campus the land that would soon become the heart of the modern UCalgary.
"The first buildings opened in 1960: the Administration Building, which also housed the library and cafeteria, and Science A," Frederick says.
"From there, it just took off."
Early years of growth and growing pains
After autonomy was officially achieved in April 1966, the campus and student body expanded rapidly.
"We went from about 3,200 students in 1965-66 to more than 9,000 by 1973-74," says Frederick.
"Many of the core buildings we still use today were built in those years Education Tower, MacEwan Hall, Math Sciences, Social Sciences and more."
But, with rapid growth came challenges.
"Overcrowding was a big issue," Frederick says.
"Lecture halls were too small, and we were racing to build facilities to keep up with demand."
The oil bust of the early 1970s also brought financial strain.
"Funding dried up, and some buildings were left partially finished for years," Frederick says.
Still, the university's academic identity evolved.
"Post-1966, we really shifted from being focused on undergraduate education to becoming a full research university," says Frederick. "Graduate studies expanded dramatically in the 1970s."
"Image of the University Theatre lobby," 1966, by Neil Crichton. Photo Courtesy of University Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
Hidden histories and unexpected finds
When asked about his favorite UCalgary-related item in the archives, Frederick grins.
"Definitely the autonomy buttons. They were made by students to promote independence, and what's neat is they show an early version of a dinosaur as a mascot. It's not quite our Rex, but it's the first dinosaur connection I've found in UCalgary history!"
Not every artifact is so lively, though.
"The weirdest thing I've come across is a Ziplock bag full of dirt," Frederick laughs.
"It turns out it's the first shovelful of soil turned during the 1958 sod-turning ceremony for the new campus. We also have the silver spike and shovel used that day they're some of our most unique early artifacts."
"Sod turning 1958," by Unknown.
Courtesy of the University Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
Remembering the roots
Frederick hopes more students take pride in understanding how deep UCalgary's roots go.
"Even though we became autonomous in 1966, our story started long before that," he says.
"And, even in the early days, people recognized how important it was to preserve our history. Faculty, staff and students were already sending materials to the library for safekeeping years before the official archives were founded in the 1980s."
A legacy of determination
From borrowed classrooms and borrowed authority to a thriving independent campus, UCalgary's autonomy story is one of persistence, community and ambition.
"It's easy to think of UCalgary as a young university, but our history is full of resilience and vision," Frederick says.
"The drive to create something distinctly Calgarian has always been at the heart of who we are.
"Calgary has always been incredibly supportive of its university. That community passion is part of our DNA."
In just six decades, the University of Calgary has grown into one of Canada's top research universities a community defined by bold ambition, entrepreneurial spirit and global impact. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we're honouring the people and stories that have shaped our past while looking ahead to an even more innovative future. UCalgary60 is about celebrating momentum, strengthening connections with our community and building excitement for what's next.
