Today’s opening ceremony for the first phase of St. John’s College
at the University of British Columbia marks the realization of a
long-cherished dream for graduates of St. John’s University, which
was closed in Shanghai 45 years ago.
St. John’s Alumni Association members from around the world will
be on hand to see the spirit of Light and Truth — the motto of
their alma mater — pass into the lives of the next generation of
Johanneans. The first 32 graduate students from around the world
will take up residence at St. John’s College UBC this September.
Four of them, all recipients of graduate fellowships, will attend
the ceremony.
Original graduates of St. John’s in Shanghai, led by the Hong Kong
chapter of their alumni association, collaborated with UBC to find
a home for the college on the Point Grey campus.
Grant Ingram, the newly appointed principal of the college, will
also join guests at today’s ceremony. Ingram comes to UBC after
25 years at McGill University, where he was chair of the Dept. of
Atmospheric And Oceanic Sciences. He worked with international colleagues
as president of Groupe Interuniversitaire de Recherches Océanographiques
du Québec, a large, multidisciplinary research centre. His
research on marine environments of northern and Arctic regions has
given him the opportunity to forge links with scientists worldwide.
The college will be built in three phases and by September 1999,
the 120th anniversary of the founding of the original St. John’s
University, will house an international community of 170 residents.
The college will strengthen its international ties by sponsoring
or offering workshops, think tanks, seminars and conferences focusing
on international issues.
St. John’s University was founded by the Episcopal Church of America
in Shanghai in 1879. Until its closure in 1952, St. John’s was one
of the most prestigious and influential universities in China and
enjoyed an international reputation.
Johanneans still dream of seeing the university re-established
at its original location, and until that time they welcome the opportunity
to continue their traditions at UBC.
Significant funding for the project was provided by donations from
Johanneans throughout the world and from other friends of the university.
The opening takes place at 5 p.m. today at St. John’s College,
2111 Lower Mall, UBC.
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