Kwantlen’s Journey to University Status
Established as a college in 1981, by the government of British Columbia, Kwantlen, which means “tireless runner,” received its name from the Kwantlen First Nation Community. Since its inception, Kwantlen has passed many notable milestones since its doors first opened in a leaky portable campus located at 140th street in Surrey and a leased building in Richmond.
Nevertheless, when Kwantlen did open its doors, it began developing broad programming, a strong reputation and building strategic locations that now make Kwantlen Polytechnic University a superb choice for people in the South Fraser Region. Beginning with its first convocation in December of 1981 Kwantlen awarded all 149 graduates credentials that included: 14 associate degrees, 97 certificates and 38 citations.
Towards the end of the decade Kwantlen was a brand. And, in 1988, the provincial government of British Columbia announced plans for the construction of a $20 million permanent Surrey campus that would accommodate 4,000 students from this fast growing and diverse South Fraser Region. Kwantlen’s Surrey campus opened in 1990 and that same year established the highly reputable President’s Honour Roll and launched co-operative education, which give students real-world experience year after year.
The latter accomplishments were only the beginning for the, then, small community college. In 1991, Kwantlen celebrated ten years, broke ground for the Langley campus, and announced plans for the construction of a Richmond campus. All the while, the provincial government remained a staunch supporter of Kwantlen and the students it serves. Incidentally, the Richmond campus opened in 1992 and the Langley campus in 1991.
Kwantlen was re-designated as Kwantlen University College in 1995 and gained baccalaureate bachelors degree granting status, including the authority to grant honorary degrees in its own name, and responded quickly in adapting to its newly expanded mandate to offer its first degree programs: Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This was quite a feat for the newly formed Kwantlen University College. In 1997, 11 graduates received Bachelors of Applied Design in Interior Design.
By century’s end, groundbreaking for an expansion of the Surrey campus took place in 1998 and included a millennium time capsule that was buried at the corner of Building G to mark the beginning of Phase II construction. The capsule contains among other things, a series of ceramic medallions made by students.
With the dot com age emerging and the need for budding entrepreneurs, Kwantlen added two more degrees to meet community needs, they included: the Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology; and the Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership. That same year, Kwantlen continued to grow into comprehensive post-secondary institution by expanding facilities at the Surrey campus including: a conference centre, gymnasium, fitness centre, high-tech classrooms and offices, launching Athletics programs, and establishing Kwantlen Eagles men’s and women’s basketball teams.
With over 300 apparel companies in the Lower Mainland, the need for fashion designers was on the rise; therefore the 2000 millennium year introduced Kwantlen’s, the Bachelor of Applied Design in Fashion Design and Technology.
As demographic trends and public safety and security concerns increased, so did the need for criminal justice professionals, and in 2004 a Bachelor of Arts in Community Criminal Justice was established.
By this time Kwantlen was located in the rapidly growing areas of Surrey, Richmond and Langley. The all encompassing University College offered a liberal arts education and traditional trades and technology programs. Recognizing the need for more skilled trades workers in 2005, the government of B.C. committed to a $42.3 million funding partnership with Kwantlen for a new campus in Cloverdale. In 2007, Premier Gordon Campbell officially opened the new Kwantlen Trades and Technology Centre, further demonstrating the B.C. government’s and Kwantlen’s commitment to the economic development of the South Fraser Region, and educational programs that will provide industry with the competent and highly-skilled graduates it requires.
Not to be left out of the accolades, that same year Kwantlen School of Business achieved prestigious international accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and became one of three accredited business schools in B.C.
Kwantlen marks another hallmark year in 2008. In the spring of this year Kwantlen University College became Kwantlen Polytechnic University and celebrated its first official day as a university on Tuesday, September 2 with enthusiasm and promise—a day that many will remember for years to come.
While over the years Kwantlen’s mandate and milestones have evolved what remains constant are its values that are steeped in a 27 year old tradition to: be accessible to everyone with a desire and ability to learn and willingness to work hard; serve the diverse people of the South Fraser region and others to meet their education needs and prepare them to serve their professions and disciplines; expand research and scholarship activity by engaging students and faculty in the application of knowledge and by facilitating innovation; remain dedicated to developing educated, engaged, and responsible global citizens; and live the university’s mission to create an exceptional learning environment committed to preparing learners for leadership, service and success.
Today, Kwantlen offers a comprehensive range of programs: liberal arts and science, technology and professional, trades and apprenticeship and qualifying and developmental. Its programs are purposefully integrated, providing pathways that extend from high school through degree completion.
With that and the upcoming inauguration of a new Chancellor designate and President and Vice-Chancellor, the university continues its commitment to serving the communities of the South Fraser Region and providing excellent undergraduate education. In addition to striving for academic excellence, Kwantlen is actively refining its comprehensive learning environment by enhancing research and academic studies and paving the way for institutional growth.
