History & Purpose
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University has a rich history rooted in community spirit and a commitment to accessible education. Established in 1942 as ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ College, the institution was born out of a vision to provide opportunities for young people in Ottawa, many of whom were working to support themselves in the wake of the Great Depression. Unlike other Ontario universities, ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ was founded as a non-denominational college, supported in part by charitable donations from the local community.
“I learned very early the life lesson that it is people, not buildings, that make up an institution. And if we put our hearts to it we can do something worthwhile.”
– Henry Marshall Tory, ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ University’s founding president
Founding
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´â€™s journey began with night courses offered for academic credit at the High School of Commerce, now known as Glebe Collegiate Institute. A group of forward-thinking citizens, along with support from the federal government, worked to ensure students had the chance to build their careers following the economic hardships of the Depression and the demands of the Second World War. This commitment to education laid the foundation for what would become one of Canada’s leading post-secondary institutions.
On June 18, 1942, a pivotal moment in ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´â€™s history took place at the Fairmont Château Laurier. It was there that the Ottawa Association for the Advancement of Learning was established to oversee the operation of ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ College. At the same meeting, the first board of governors was elected and Henry Marshall Tory — renowned for his role in founding the University of Alberta, the National Research Council and what would later become the University of British Columbia — was appointed ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´â€™s first president and chair of the board.
Today
From its modest beginnings, ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ rapidly evolved into a leading research and teaching institution. Now situated on a scenic 100-acre campus between the Rideau River and Rideau Canal, it is home to more than 30,700 students and over 1,050 internationally recognized faculty driving groundbreaking research.
ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ has built a strong reputation in fields such as journalism, international affairs, engineering, architecture and high technology. Its interdisciplinary approach to education, combined with hands-on learning experiences and strategic partnerships with the federal government, other universities and industry leaders, continues to shape its identity as an institution committed to excellence and innovation. ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ also boasts a global network of more than 188K alumni with over 45 international chapters, fostering connections and collaborations across industries and continents.