King's University College (University of Western Ontario)

Founding of the college

King's was founded as the "College of Christ the King" in 1954, at which time it was an all-male college affiliated with St. Peter's Seminary.

A group of local clerics, headed by London Bishop John Christopher Cody, along with Monsignors Roney and Mahoney and Fathers McCarthy, Feeney, and Finn began to meet to discuss plans for a new College in 1954. The purpose of the new institution was to provide a liberal arts education for Catholic lay men studying at St. Peter's Seminary.

In March of 1945, Bishop John C. Cody chaired a meeting at the Hotel London and announced that the Diocese of London would establish an arts college, called Christ the King College, which was to be affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. A discussion on March 22, resolved several key issues pertaining to the size and location of the new building. Initially the structure was to be located close to Ursuline College because of its proximity to the university campus. However, "because of the attendance of the seminarians and the necessity of staff going from the Seminary to the new College, the site on the Seminary grounds is more favourable". The 10-acre (40,000 m²) parcel of land upon which the College would be built was donated by St. Peter's Seminary to the Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of London. Upon completion, this new building was to house about one hundred men and become the cornerstone of the new College.

By June 9, 1954, all the estimates had been received and it was decided to award the contact to the Pigott Construction Company of Hamilton, which completed the building for a final cost of $1.5 million. Construction of the new building that was to become Christ the King College (now Monsignor Wemple Building) began in June 1954. The ground was blessed and broken by Bishop Cody and the corner-stone for the Monsignor Lester A. Wemple Hall laid by Cardinal McGuigan of Toronto in the company of the Papal Delegate to Canada, John Panico. A ceremony marked the official opening of Christ the King College on September 14, 1955. Assembled at the top of the steps of the new institution were the leaders of London's educational, political and religious communities, while on the front lawn a crowd of about 300 persons - largely priests, nuns, and seminarians.

Initially, the College consisted of 55 double residence rooms, seven classrooms, a library, a dining hail, two recreation rooms and a chapel. The all-male faculty and administration were composed largely of priests from St. Peter's Seminary. The first class that enrolled in September 1955 was 46 men in total, by 1958 150 full-time students were registered.

Incorporation

Since its founding, King's was formally owned and governed by the Diocese. In 1972, King's took responsibility for the overall operations and governance of the College. The incorporation process was the next step in the maturation of the King's as a major Catholic university in Canada. The transfer, which has been under discussion for a number of years, was approved by the Vatican in August 2012. As part of the transfer, King's will obtain official ownership of the land and buildings currently held in its footprint. The transfer was completed in December 2013 after various government regulatory processes were completed.

Name change

The name was changed to King's College in 1966 after it became affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. Unlike Brescia and Huron, other affiliated colleges of the University of Western Ontario, King's initially did not adopt the "University College" designation (owing to an institution with a similar name, The King's University College, in Edmonton). The designation became part of the name in 2004.

The current name was adopted in 2012.

Campus

King's University College is situated in the city of London, Ontario, located in the southwestern end of the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The university college is located adjacent to the Thames River, across from the Richmond Gates of University of Western Ontario. The majority of the campus is surrounded by residential neighbourhoods, with Epworth Ave bisecting the campus.

The college's first classes were held in Monsignor Wemple Building. The Monsignor Wemple Building remained the sole educational facility until 1982, when the school began using lecture theatres in Dante Lenardon Hall. The buildings at King's University College vary in age from Wemple Hall which was completed in 1954, to the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre, completed in 2014.

Academic facilities

King's was originally located in what is now the Monsignor Wemple Building on the north side of Epworth Avenue, with classrooms, the original Monsignor Wemple Library, chapel, offices, and dining hall located on the lower and ground floor, and living quarters on the upper floors. The Lester A. Wemple Library was expanded in 1970 and again in 1980. The college building further expanded in 1970 to include two lecture halls and additional classrooms.

In 1982, King's began using the lecture theatres additional lecture theatres located in the The Silverwood Annex of the Silverwood mansion on Waterloo Street, now known as Dante Lenardon Hall, named after a well respected emeritus professor.

An additional building, Elizabeth A. "Bessie" Labatt Hall, was opened between the library and mansion in 2003, and features three lecture halls, an auditorium that can be split into three classrooms, faculty offices, and a large atrium.

In 2008, the school purchased and renovated what was the London Hebrew Day School, and formerly the (Middlesex county) pre-city country school known as Broughdale on Epworth Avenue. In 1961, following the annexation of the Broughdale area by the city of London, the Broughdale School became part of the London public school system. Declining enrolment led to the school's closure in 1977. In 1979, the building became the London Community Hebrew Day School.

The building has gone through multiple renovations and alterations since it first opened in 1920. The original portico has been removed as part of the 1946 alteration and the original roof line was lowered as part of a renovation that added substantially to the building's overall width to provide two additional classrooms and a principal's office. A rear addition was added in the latest major renovation during the 1960s.

On March 11, 2009, the former Hebrew Dale School was rededicated as Broughdale Hall. The dedication ceremony was officiated by King's Chaplin Reverend Michael D. Béchard and Rabbi Ammos Chrony of Or Shalom Synagogue. The building houses lecture halls, as well as the CultureWorks offices.

Library

Construction of a new two-story library began in July 1994 along Waterloo Street, adjacent to Silverwood mansion now known as Dante Lenardon Hall. The library is named after Cardinal Carter, formerly Bishop of London. The original library became a student lounge, and the Monsignor Wemple name became the name of the original college building. Construction of the library completed in June 1995 and the formal opening was held on 29 September 1995.

In addition to research resources, the library includes the Eaton Special Collections Room named in honour of the Eaton Foundation. The Eaton Room houses rare and archival material, including over 750 volumes dating from late 14th through 18th centuries.

Shortly after the formal opening the library attracted an international photography exhibit Echoes of Ancient Egypt which featured the archival collection of the Royal Geographical Society. In 2011 the library was host to The Human Library, which allowed the public to loan specialty and rare books for the duration of the event.

Housing and student facilities

The residence buildings available for students are the upper two levels of the Wemple building, Alumni Court and ten town-house units.

In 2010 the university college purchased a two story house located near the Cardinal Carter Library. This building has since been named International House and is used to house international exchange students and for meeting space for social events. Incoming exchange students are guaranteed space at King's Residence, and may choose to stay in the private rooms at the International House. The King's Community Garden is located in the backyard of the International House.

The Darryl J. King Student Life Centre is the centre of student life, and student government programming. The Student Life Centre combines a café, learning lounge, a 490-seat auditorium, fitness space, meeting rooms, games room and classrooms.

The King Student Life Centre is a 3,539 m2, two-story (plus full basement) building, designed by Perkins+Will in association with Cornerstone Architecture and built by K & L Construction.

In 2011 the school began fund-raising for the building of the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre, a community and recreational centre for the college that is physically connected to the Cardinal Carter Library. The cornerstone of the building was dedicated and blessed by Reverend Michael D. Béchard on September 29, 2012. A video on the progress of the Student Life Centre was uploaded on the King's University Website. King's released a thank you video to all of their donors in support of the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre. Construction of the Student Life Centre was completed in 2013 at a cost of $14.7 million, and the grand opening ceremony held on January 7, 2014.

Sustainability

Campus sustainability at King's is managed by The Green Team and Physical Plant department as directed by the Strategic Plan. Independent initiatives and projects are also run by faculty, student clubs, and the King's University College Students' Council.

In 2012, King's completed an environmental and sustainability audit as part of the strategic commitment "To create an environmentally sustainable College". Graham Casselman, who led the audit gave a presentation to the King's community on August 21 in which he outlined his findings. The audit recommended changes to inter-campus transportation to reduce the environmental impact. In response the university college added a new propane powered shuttle bus to the vehicle lineup. This vehicle is a collaboration with Aboutown the goal of the smaller size bus and its and use of propane is to help reduce the environmental impact.

The Green Team is the environmental committee responsible for multiple initiatives at the university college. In 2011 the Green Team's Chair, Sarah Morrison, earned an Honourable Mention at the University of Western Ontario Green Awards for her environmental work. The committee collects funds through campus initiatives including annual perennial plant sale and sales of reusable, metal water bottles featuring the King's logo. The Green Team also holds biannual events in which volunteers from the King's community come together each fall and spring to comb the campus gathering misplaced garbage and recyclables. The Green Team also works within the greater community with their support of various environmental-awareness campaigns.

Conversationalists from a Southwestern Ontario wildlife rehabilitation centre, in partnership with King's University College rescued chimney swifts roosting on campus. In 2015, five baby swifts were successfully released from the roof of King's University College.

The Physical Plant department has partnered with Aevitas Inc. to provide recycling of on campus materials such as light bulbs from classrooms, dorms, and offices. In 2009, the College successfully diverted and recycled 550 light bulbs - producing 158.4 kg of glass, 1.97 kg of metals, 2.48 kg of phosphor and 0.016 kg of mercury. The Physical Plant department maintains drop boxes on campus which are used to collect used cell phones and batteries that are then appropriately recycled. The department also collects used ink toners from on-campus photocopiers and printers, and also accepts household printer cartridges that are then appropriately recycled.

Students' Council runs initiatives independent of the Strategic Plan to promote environmental sustainability on university college campus. The King's Community Garden is located in the backyard of the International House in London Ontario at King's University College at Western University. This garden is volunteer based, with the goal of providing a sustainable alternative to buying groceries, and with the intent of teaching students how to create and maintain their own gardens. Students and other community members are in charge of planting, harvesting and maintaining the garden. The councils bike program is referred to as Kings Wheels. Founded in 2010 by Paul Di Libero, Kings Wheels was established to provide the students of Kings University College with an alternative method of transportation that is reliable, physically active, and furthermore environmentally friendly.

Solar Power

In June 2010 the university college was accepted by The Ontario Power Authority for the installation of a 10 kW solar panel system. A structural engineer was hired to work out the optimum panel layout within the load parameters of the roof structure. The 48 panels and associated infrastructure were installed in November 2010 on the roof of Wemple Hall. The installation began generating electricity in February 2011.

The solar panel system was expanded an additional 10 kW with the installation of solar panels on the roof of Labatt Hall.

Since the installation came online, it has been able to generate up to 150 kWh. The university college feeds the electricity generated into the London Hydro grid, and generates more than $10,000 per year in revenue.

Art and sculptures

A replica of a statue depicting Jesus as a homeless person asleep on a park bench was installed at King's University College as a gift to the community from Christ the King University Parish. Jesus the Homeless, along with another statue depicting Jesus washing feet, were donated to King's as part of the Student Life Campaign. Both statues were installed outside the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre in 2013. The statue was designed by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmalz. In Rome, Pope Francis prayed over and blessed the original statue, and met with the artist.

Academics

King's has approximately 3600 students, almost all of whom are undergraduates. Programs offered at King's are described fully on the school's website, made available below. For instance, King's is becoming known for its competitive-entry King's Foundations in the Humanities, a first-year plan of study that explores history, literature, and philosophy, and for Social Justice and Peace Studies, a four-year cross-disciplinary program.

Although there is a heavy emphasis on undergraduate studies, there is also a full or part-time graduate program in social work. The research based social work program has partnered with local, and provincial governments to open the London Poverty Research Centre at King's. By virtue of King's affiliation with St. Peter's Seminary, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Divinity degrees are also offered.

Undergraduate programs

Professional / graduate programs

CultureWorks ESL

For more than ten years King's has maintained a partnership with CultureWorks ESL, an English as a Second Language school, whose offices are located on site in Broughdale Hall. Students who successfully complete the CultureWorks program are granted entrance to King's. CultureWorks has funded a scholarship for graduates of its ESL program attending King's. In 2005 nearly 50 graduates of CultureWorks attended King's.

Rankings and distinctions

The University College received an A+ rating for class size, and an A rating in Overall Student Satisfaction, Quality of Teaching, Campus Atmosphere, Libraries, and Athletics on the Globe and Mail 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Canadian University Reports.

Enrolment

(as of Fall 2014)

Student life

King's students are represented by three student unions; the King's University College Students' Council, which represents the general student population, the Social Work Students' Association Council, which represents the students enrolled in the professional degree program offered through the School of Social Work, and the King's Residence Council, which represents the interests of the residence students specifically.

The Students' Council, is a student-run organization providing services and activities ranging from administering a medical and dental plan to concerts and orientation activities.

The Residence Council serves as a link connecting the residence students, King's University College Student Council (KUCSC) and the College community as a whole. The Council works to enhance residence life and to coordinate activities to benefit residence students.The council consists of representatives elected in September from each residence unit. The thirty unit representatives may then run for the positions of President and Vice-President. All residents are eligible to vote in the election of those two offices. The position of Council Secretary, Treasurer, and Promotions Coordinator are elected within the Council itself.

Media

The Regis is a student-run, and funded magazine first published in 2009. The magazine editions are published quarterly by King's University College Students' Council of King's University College at the University of Western Ontario. It serves the student readership by reporting the news, entertaining readers, and promoting debate on issues involving the King's and Western community and the City of London.

King's Cultural Festival

King's Cultural Festival is an annual event first held in 2003. The festival is the largest annual multicultural event on campus attended by close to 300 people from across Western and the city of London. Performances showcasing various cultural traditions may include: dance, singing, poetry, acrobatics, story-telling, country presentations and more.

University Parish

On November 25, 2005, Ronald P. Fabbro, Bishop of London, decreed that Christ the King University Parish be established to serve the Catholic faithful connected to the University of Western Ontario.

Christ the King University Parish, formerly Holy Spirit Parish, offers Roman Catholic services daily in the chapel at Monsignor Wemple Building, and on Sundays at Elizabeth A. "Bessie" Labatt Hall. These services are intended for and tailored to university students, but are open to the public.

The King's University College Chamber Choir was established in September 2010, and consists of auditioned choral singers from the King's University College, Western University and London communities.

People

See List of King's University College people

Notable alumni

Notable faculty