Simon Fraser University - Burnaby, B.C. - My Alma Mater - 27 years later

On Tuesday, my daughter Rachel and I went back to my Alma Mater, Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.  Rachel had just made the decision that that was her first choice for College next year, so we packed a lunch and went to explore!

It was my first time back after I'd graduated 27 year ago, with a  Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science...  27 years ago I had plans of being a lawyer...........I specialized in International Relations and Comparative Studies for Soviet and Eastern European Politics........In those days Simon Fraser was a hotbed of political activity and such an exciting time to be getting an education!

But, like for many of us........life doesn't always take us down the paths we think it will...........instead I got married............yaddayaddayadda.............and became a Realtor instead!  :-)

So here I was with Rachel, who now plans on studying Law ( surprise, surprise....:-) and I get to live vicariously through her?

Well anyhow.....talk about time travelling - it was goosebump city.  In those 2 hours I was back to being 20 again......I couldn't believe how little had changed in some ways.............my favorite pub, the school paper......the walk ways and corridors, the lunch rooms, the View , oh my word the gorgeous view! 

Named after explorer Simon Fraser, SFU opened on September 9, 1965. Taking only 30 months to grow from the idea stage into an almost-completed campus with 2,500 students it was dubbed the "Instant University".

The University is named after Simon Fraser, Loyalist, fur-trader and explorer, who in 1808 completed one of the greatest journeys in the annals of Canadian history by descending the mighty river which today bears his name. The Fraser family coat of arms forms the basis of the University's coat of arms . 

                        Old Coat of Arms.......                               New Coat of Arms..........

                                                    Notice the difference Why?

In January 1963 a report entitled Higher Education in British Columbia and a Plan for the Future, by Dr. J.B. Macdonald, recommended the creation of a new university in the Lower Mainland. Two months later the establishment of Simon Fraser University received formal assent in the British Columbia Legislature, and in May of the same year Dr. Gordon M. Shrum was appointed Chancellor.

From a variety of sites which were offered, the Chancellor recommended to the Provincial Government that the top of 1200 foot Burnaby Mountain be selected for the new university. Lying east of Vancouver, the site commands magnificent views of Burrard Inlet, the mountains, the Fraser River and Vancouver Harbour.

Architects were invited to compete in the design of the overall campus. The Vancouver firm of Erickson/Massey won the competition, and the four architects who had been runners-up in the competition each designed at least one building within the overall plan. The outstanding architecture has won many awards.

Construction began in the spring of 1964 and eighteen months later, on September 9, 1965, Simon Fraser University opened to 2,500 students.

Since those early years the University has grown substantially. In September 2007, 26,007 students were enrolled in courses. At the June 2007 Convocation ceremonies 4,071 credentials were conferred, while at the University's October Convocation, 2,342 students received their credentials.

Just over 40 years later SFU now has over 25,000 students and 90,000 alumni, and more than 700 tenure-track faculty. The original campus in Burnaby has grown into three vibrant campuses, including   Vancouver (Downtown Campus)  and Surrey (Fraser Valley Campus with more then 1,782 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled) and SFU's reputation has grown into one of innovative teaching, research, and community outreach. 

Simon Fraser has has gained an international reputation for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as for its interdisciplinary and professional programs. It has been rated as Canada's best comprehensive university five times (1993, '96, '97, '98, and '00) in the annual rankings of Maclean's magazine and has consistently placed at, or near, the top of the publication's national evaluations. 

If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Sunshine Valley, Harrison Hot Springs, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.