April 29, 2026
Happy 60th Birthday, UCalgary!
It was this day, 60 years ago, that the University of Calgary was born.
With multiple campuses and countless world-shaping inventions under its proverbial belt; being home to the Fastest Ice in the World; several United Nations collaborating centres; and being home to countless world leading researchers informing Canada’s economic transition, energy production, health strategy and space exploration, UCalgary embraces its youthful nature to punch above its weight.
“What the University of Calgary has been very successful at is identifying those big problems that are important to solve,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Ed McCauley as he looks back at UCalgary’s first 60 years.
“The secret sauce is that we have very, very strong disciplinary strength, but we don’t have the deep silos that other universities have because we’re so young,” he says.
“Being able to bring together these disciplines across all faculties is really, really special.”
From humble beginnings as the Alberta Normal School in 1906 and eventually the University of Alberta’s southernmost campus, UCalgary is now the youngest of the Top 5 Research Universities in Canada.
From the university’s halls and grounds have emerged astronauts, arctic scientists and athletes, as well as illustrious philosophers, playwrights, historians — even former prime minister Stephen Harper, BA'85, MA'91.
“I speak every year to the first-year students … and it has been amazing — one of my favourite things I’ve ever done in my 38 years of speaking,” Olympian Mark Tewksbury, who trained at the university, told the Calgary Herald ahead of UCalgary’s 60th.
“I share my story, and I literally can point and say, ‘It happened in the pool right across the hall!’ And everyone kind of turns their head," added Tewksbury, Hon. LLD’10.
“It’s where I found my confidence and leadership, and absolutely set my foundation for life.”
Before the university’s official launch on April 29, 1966, prairie grasslands occupied what is now main campus, and 4,600 students made up a student body that today numbers more than 38,000.
For more stories about UCalgary’s first 60 years, click HERE.
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.
Have a story to share? We’d love to hear it. Submit your UCalgary60 story through our form.
Related content
Sign up for UToday
Delivered to your inbox — a daily roundup of news and events from across the University of Calgary's 14 faculties and dozens of units
Thank you for your submission.
Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of
section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your
email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information,
please visit our Access to Information page.