On today’s date in 1877, the University of Manitoba officially opened its doors to confer degrees on graduates of its three founding colleges.
Its founding institutions included St. Boniface College (Roman Catholic and Francophone), St John’s College (Anglican) and Manitoba College (Presbyterian). As Western Canada’s first university, the University of Manitoba offered instruction through these three existing colleges.
Today, the school boasts about 21,000 students with 22 faculties across two campuses. It offers more than 100 different areas of study at the undergraduate level in addition to graduate and professional programs.
The University of Manitoba campuses are located on the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, as well as on the homeland of the Métis Nation, as outlined in the school’s “traditional territory acknowledgement.”
The University of Manitoba’s administration building (2005 photo shown) is featured on the 2002 stamp issued by Canada Post.
2002 STAMP
In 2002, Canada Post issued a 48-cent stamp (Scott #1941) commemorating the University of Manitoba as part of its “Universities” series.
The series also included Laval University (SC #1942); University of Trinity College (SC #1943); and St. Mary’s University (SC #1944).
The University of Manitoba stamp – issued Feb. 28, 2002 – commemorates the 125th anniversary of the university’s founding, which took place on the same date in 1877, when founder Alexander Morris received a charter for the school.
Each stamp of the Universities series shows a significant building from the campus; the university seal; and a vignette of an activity.
Designed by Semaphor Design, of Halifax, N.S., the University of Manitoba features the university’s administration building with a vignette highlighting the school’s role in the development of canola. Printed by Ashton-Potter on Tullis Russell coated paper using five-colour lithography, the stamps have general tagging and measure 33 millimetres by 45 millimetres (vertical).
An official first-day cover was also serviced with a Winnipeg cancel.