Kwantlen's Timeline of Success
2010
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University is named a 2010 Progressive Employer of Canada, the only Canadian post-secondary institution to be named on the list this year. Kwantlen is recognized for its generous maternity benefits package as well as having the flexibility to allow employees leave of absences or to move from full-time status to part-time status as their parenting responsibilities demand.
- Kwantlen celebrates the official grand opening of the Aboriginal Gathering Place. A ceremony is held at Surrey Campus with guests from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, local First Nations, University, and community. The Aboriginal Gathering Place is a space that supports the social and educational activities while recognizing the important contribution of the Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Katzie, and all other Aboriginal Nations.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University receives a donation of $2.5 million, largest in the university's history, from B.C. philanthropist Irving K. Barber to establish the Irving K. Barber Endowment for Educational Opportunities. The endowment funds programming and services that make it easier for students to make the transition to university-level study, from an academic assessment upon entering Kwantlen to monitoring and follow-up assessments, tutoring, supplementary instruction and seminars.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University is recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2010. As one of 50 organizations in Canada to earn this prestigious distinction, Kwantlen is proud to become one of only six Canadian post-secondary institutions that has been named Canada's Greenest Employer for 2010.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University business student Suzanne ten Haaf is selected by the 2010 Winter Olympics Torchbearer committee to represent the university in the Olympic torch relay. Suzanne carried the torch on Feb 8, Day 102 in Surrey from E Whalley Ring Road to Safeway on King George Highway.
- A new degree offered: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
2009
- Kwantlen Eagles women's soccer team wins British Columbia Colleges' Athletic Association provincial championship and later finishes with a bronze medal at Canadian Colleges' Athletic Association national competition.
- For a third year in a row, Kwantlen Polytechnic University is again named a Top Employer in B.C. for 2010. After an extensive review by MediaCorp Canada of over 75,000 employers throughout Canada, Kwantlen is selected as one of B.C.'s Top organizations that lead their industries in attracting and retaining quality employees.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University announces the official opening of its Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, a leading-edge research facility that focuses on innovations in biocontrol and on developing commercial applications for bio products to help build a sustainable and secure agri-food system. The ISH is a partnership between the university, the industry and the community designed to meet the demand for more sustainability in horticulture.
- Accompanied by Premier Gordon Campbell and Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, Kwantlen President and Vice-Chancellor David Atkinson officially opens newly expanded Library and Surrey Main at the unveiling ceremony.
- A new degree offered: Bachelor of Arts in English degree
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University breaks ground to build Aboriginal Gathering Place to encourage Aboriginal students to enrol at Kwantlen and to enhance support services that help students complete their education.
- Kwantlen was presented with its official university mace by Kwantlen First Nation Chief Marilyn Gabriel and Kwantlen First Nation artist Drew Atkins. Atkins carved the mace specifically for Kwantlen. It had a variety of traditional First Nation components in it that also connect to Kwantlen and represents the hard work, perseverance and tireless effort of Kwantlen students.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University held its first university convocation ceremony and celebrated the graduation of its first students as a university. For the first time in Kwantlen's history its certificates, diplomas and degrees were also conferred by Kwantlen chancellor Arvinder Singh Bubber, who is also the first Indo-Canadian to be appointed chancellor of a Canadian university.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University's efforts to build on its new university status has received a significant boost thanks to $1 million from Coast Capital Savings. The $1 million gift is part of a partnership that will lead to collaboration between the two organizations on several fronts. It marks milestones for both organizations, being the largest single donation received by Kwantlen in its history and Coast Capital's single biggest community investment to date. In recognition, Coast Capital Savings will receive naming rights to all four Kwantlen Polytechnic University libraries, including its new state-of-the-art Surrey campus library.
2008
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University's School of Business receives accreditation renewal for a five-year period by Certified Management Accountants of Canada (CMA) for its Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting program
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University is accepted as a member in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), Canada's association of leading university and higher education institutions
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University is named one of BC's Top Employers
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University celebrated its university status at a university inauguration ceremony on October 3, where its founding Chancellor, Arvinder S. Bubber, and founding President and Vice-chancellor, David W. Atkinson were officially installed
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University celebrates its first official day as a university on Tuesday, September 2, 2008
- Arvinder Singh Bubber is appointed Kwantlen's first chancellor, and will serve a three-year term through 2011
- Four new Bachelor of Arts degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts in History; and Bachelor of Arts-Double Minor in Anthropology or Geography. Bachelor of Arts in English set to launch January 2009
- David Atkinson is named Kwantlen's new President as July 1st
- Premier Gordon Campbell announces that Kwantlen University College will become Kwantlen Polytechnic University. As a polytechnic university, Kwantlen will be better positioned to serve the fast growing segment of the population with higher education needs that are increasingly career-focused
- Surrey Campus – Building C first floor Student Services expansion opens
2007
- Premier Gordon Campbell officially opened the new Kwantlen University College Trades and Technology Centre, which will provide leading-edge trades and technology training for more than 900 students in an environmentally friendly building
- Two new degrees offered: Bachelor of Science in Integrated Pest Management; Bachelor of Arts Minor in Mathematics
- Kwantlen's Environmental Protection Technology program receives National Accreditation from the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists. Prior to this they had provincial accreditation as measured against the Canadian Technology Standards
- Kwantlen School of Business achieves prestigous international accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The School of Business at Kwantlen University College joins the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University as one of British Columbia's three accredited business schools
- Kwantlen School of Business is the second largest business school in Western Canada—consisting of over 150 business faculty, 3500 students annually who are enrolled in one of the 17 business credentials available
2006
- Five new Bachelor of Arts-Double Minor degree options offered in: Creative Writing, Economics, Philosophy, Political Science or Sociology
- Two new degrees offered and post-degree diploma: Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing; Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management; post baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resources Management
- Surrey Campus – Building D expansion opens
- Kwantlen is named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of B.C.'s Top 40 Employers
- CIDA accreditation. Only interior design program in B.C. so designated
2005
- Construction begins on $42.3-million Cloverdale Trades and Technology Centre
- Construction begins on Surrey Campus Phase III, a $36-million expansion
- Four new degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts, Double Minor in Criminology, English, History or Psychology; Bachelor of Arts in Criminology; Bachelor of Arts in General Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
2004
- New degree offered: Bachelor of Arts in Community Criminal Justice
- Three new research institutes: Institute for Sustainable Horticulture; National institute for Research in Sustainable Community Development; Institute for Advancement of Personal and Community Health and Wellness. Read more...
2003
- New degree offered: Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design for Marketing
- Kwantlen Eagles Men's and Women's Soccer teams play exhibition year in the BCCAA
2002
- First research institute: Institute for Transborder Studies
2001
- Three new degrees offered: Bachelor of Applied Arts in Psychology; Bachelor of Applied Journalism; Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
- Kwantlen establishes Office of Research and Scholarship
2000
- Kwantlen Eagles Men's Baseball team wins Canadian College Baseball Conference Championship
- New degree offered: Bachelor of Applied Design in Fashion Design and Technology
- FIDER accredited. First interior design program in B.C. to achieve this
1999
- Surrey Campus Phase II opens with a Conference Centre, Gymnasium and Fitness Centre, high-tech classrooms and offices for faculty and academic support services
- Athletics programs launched: Kwantlen Eagles Men's and Women's Basketball teams
- Kwantlen University College receives coat of arms from Governor-General Roméo LeBlanc
- Two new degrees offered: Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology; Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership
1998
- Surrey Campus expansion groundbreaking ceremony including a millennium time capsule that was buried at the corner of G Building to mark the beginning of Phase II construction. The capsule contains among other things, a series of ceramic medallions made by students. The spot is marked with a ceramic plaque giving the details of the capsule
1997
- First degrees awarded: 11 students receive a Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design
1996
- First two degrees offered: Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design; Bachelor of Science in Nursing
1995
- Status and name officially changes to Kwantlen University College. It becomes a bachelor's degree-granting institution and is allowed to grant honorary degrees in its own name
- First honorary degree recipient: environmental education Barry Leach, Doctor of Letters
1994
- First year summer courses are offered at all campuses
1993
- Langley Campus opens. Includes new Horticulture centre with greenhouses. First crop from greenhouses is poinsettias
1992
1991
- Langley Campus groundbreaking ceremony
- Richmond Campus construction launch ceremony
- Kwantlen ceremony celebrates its 10th anniversary
- Alumni Association planned for Kwantlen
1990
- New Surrey Campus opens, replacing portable trailers
- Kwantlen establishes President's Honour Roll with 171 students achieving a CGPA of 3.75 or more on the inaugural list
- Co-op education launched at Kwantlen
1989
- Kwantlen College Faculty Association (KCFA) splits from Douglas College Faculty Association
1988
- Province announces approval for permanent campus for Kwantlen College to be built in Surrey. With a $20-million price tag, the new campus will accommodate 4,000 students
- Land is purchased to build a permanent Richmond Campus
- Kwantlen begins honouring contributions of faculty and staff with first annual Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony
1987
- Applied Science Engineering transfer program developed for the Richmond Campus. Program is first of its kind in the Lower Mainland
1986
- June 25 – Kwantlen announces plans for a new campus in Surrey. Site selected is at 72nd Avenue and 126th Street. Construction expected to be completed in 1990
- Student achievement recognized by an Awards Ceremony held in November. This is a new event for Kwantlen and it continues to take place annually
1985
- Kwantlen College Technology Centre hosts first annual TechnOlympics
1984
- In the fall, Kwantlen has its largest enrollment to date with 1,288 full-time equivalent students
1983
- First year of Kwantlen's Scholarship program
1982
- Kwantlen College logo designed by Stuart Richardson, faculty member of the Graphics and Visual Design program
1981
- First Kwantlen President Tony Wilkinson (April 1981 to June 1986)
- Kwantlen splits from Douglas College, taking over all of the campus locations south of the Fraser River, including a leased facility in Richmond and portable trailer campus located at 140th Street in Surrey
- First students, 149 in total, graduate from Kwantlen College. First convocation held in December. Credentials given: 14 associate degrees, 97 certificates and 38 citations
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