Founding Principles
As a university professor, Martin Luther valued education. While the Lutheran church always insisted on the education of its clergy, Luther felt that education was important for all people. It was his hope that through education, each person would be able to serve God more fully in all aspects of life. Lutheran settlers around Melville, Saskatchewan were inspired by Luther’s principles for education. Existing schools in Saskatchewan were few and far between and did not adequately prepare students for university. The Lutheran Church also needed educated ministers and teachers in Western Canada. These needs motivated the settlers to set up a Christian school. Luther Academy was established to provide high-quality education in a Christian context.
Follow the growth of Luther College’s High School and University campuses from 1910 to the present day and share in a significant slice of Saskatchewan history.
Through the Years
1913
Luther Academy in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada is founded, thirty-two young men enroll the first year
1920
First female students accepted
1926
Classes begin at Luther Academy in Regina, at the current location of Luther High School, and the school changes its name to Luther College
1927
University of Saskatchewan recognizes Luther as a junior college and accepts its university-level classes for credit
1930s
The Great Depression means most junior colleges and private high schools close – Luther is one of the few survivors
1939-1945
During the war, over 300 Luther students and alumni are in the military service; sixteen do not return home
Post 1945
Enrollment sharply increases post-war, Luther College thrives
1964
Luther College invited to federate with the Regina campus of the University of Saskatchewan and fundraising begins to build a university campus
1968
Federation agreement is finalized and plans begin for construction of a Luther College building at the Regina university campus
1971
First classes are held at Luther College’s new university campus, a $2 million complex of academic facilities and cafeteria, with the first dormitory on the university campus
1972
Luther’s first graduates convocate
1974
The University of Regina becomes an independent institution, no longer a campus of the University of Saskatchewan, Luther continues federation with University of Regina
1976
Luther now offers courses in six areas: English, philosophy, sociology, mathematics and religious studies
1977
First Luther Lecture held, which becomes an annual event featuring a distinguished scholar
1980
Luther establishes new student orientation program
1984
Luther faculty, staff and offerings grow, including Luther’s first female faculty member appointed in a tenure-track position
1985
Members of faculty work on an innovative Education and Technology project in India, funded by the governments of Saskatchewan and India
1986
Luther grows to include geography and French
1988
Luther, in cooperation with the University of Regina and government of Saskatchewan, launches the Summer Centre for International Languages
1988
Dr. Henry Taube, a Luther College graduate and Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, delivers the annual Luther Lecture
1990
Plans begin on expanding Luther College to include new academic wing, library, chapel, classrooms and offices
1999
Enrollment at Luther reaches 983
2000
Add computers and data projectors making Luther’s classrooms the most technological advanced on campus
2000
College enrollment hits 1000
2001
Major renovations begin on residence and academic wing
2002
Luther College University campus partners with Luther College High School to establish a summer school for high school English teachers from China
2002
Academic offerings continue to expand including the creation of the first ever position in Musicology
2003
First annual literary festival
2005
Luther partners with Canada’s International Science and Technology Development Centre to host a summer English Language program for professors from China’s Central University of Nationalities
2013
International students make up 48 per cent of the Luther residence with the majority of those students coming from China, Nigeria and Brazil
2014
Luther College establishes the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (later the Non-profit and Voluntary Sector Studies Network)
2017
$6.2 million renovation of the residence is completed
2018
Luther’s cafeteria undergoes major renovations
2020
With the global pandemic, Luther shifts to remote teaching – many options for remote learning are now permanently available
2021
Funding in place for renovations to the campus auditorium
2022
Post-pandemic, Luther strengthens its offerings of mental health and student support services
2024
A mix of remote and small class in-person learning reaches more students than ever
2024
Luther strengthens all aspects of its student village community to assist students making the successful transition from high school to post-secondary