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 College has been a significant part of Saskatchewan history since the first Board meeting in Earl Grey, Saskatchewan in 1910.
Through the Years
1913
Luther Academy is founded in Melville to offer higher education, especially to young men interested in Luther Seminary.
1914
Pastor Henry Schmidt is appointed President.
1918
Music is an essential component of school life including a Brass Band and Glee Club.
1926
Luther Academy moves to Regina, at the current location on 1500 Royal Street. The name is changed to Luther College, and Dr. Rex Schneider is President/Principal from 1926 – 1964.
1927
Hockey is Luther’s first organized sport, called the Luther Huskies
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
1937
The girls dormitory, Federation Hall, is constructed, along with the President’s House.
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 hits an enrollment of 226.
1951
A gym is added to the campus to accommodate more students and more activities.
1953
Athletic director John Chomay holds a basketball tournament to show off the new gym. This was the first Luther Invitational Tournament – L.I.T.
1963
Enrollment reaches 360 students with 15 full-time faculty.
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 from the new university campus
1974
The roles of Principal and President are separated. Morris Anderson continues as President and Rudy Selzer is appointed Principal at the High School.
1974
The Luther College logo is adopted in blue for the University and gold & black for the High School. “Quality Education in a Christian Context” evolves as the school’s motto/mission statement to differentiate it from the larger university campus.
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
1979
Luther College expands with a Student Services office for the residence and chaplain staff.
1980
Luther establishes new student orientation program
1981
Richard Caemmerer Jr. paints a mural in the auditorium that depicts traditional and contemporary Christian symbolism.
1984
Luther’s first female faculty member, Mary Vetter, appointed in a tenure-track position.
1986 & 1987
Luther programs have expanded to include geography, French and history
1988
Dr. Henry Taube, a Luther College graduate and Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, delivers the annual Luther Lecture
1991
Luther College expands with a new academic wing, library, chapel, classrooms and offices, now known as The Anderson Wing. The original library is converted to a classroom, now known as Thorn Hall.
1997
Luther College develops its first website, and upgrades the auditorium to project computer screens.
2000
Computers and data projectors make Luther’s classrooms the most technological advanced on campus
2000
College enrollment hits 1000
2000
The English-Science Student group is established, the precursor to the Luther bundles program
2001
Major renovations begin on residence and academic wing
2002
An assistant dean position is established to handle increasingly complex student issues.
2002
Luther College University campus partners with Luther College High School to establish a summer school for high school English teachers from China
2010
Luther develops a new motto for the university campus: Think Deeply. Act Passionately. Live Faithfully.
2013
International students make up 48 per cent of the Luther residence with the majority of those students coming from China, Nigeria and Brazil
2013
Luther College celebrates its 100th anniversary with “A Century of Faithfulness” festivities
2014
Luther College establishes the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (later the Non-profit and Voluntary Sector Studies Network)
2015
the Peer Chaplain program expands to include the Muslim faith, setting the stage for a multi-faith chaplaincy program
2015
Two washrooms at Luther are designated gender neutral
2016
Luther College hosts the Project of Heart program which educates the community on residential schools and becomes an annual program
2017
$6.2 million renovation of the residence is completed
2018
Luther College is designated a co-lead for UN Sustainable Development Goal #12 by the International Association of Universities
2018
Luther College’s new Act receives Royal Assent in the Saskatchewan Legislature
2020
With the global pandemic, Luther shifts to remote teaching and operations.
2021
Luther College at the University of Regina celebrates 50 years
2022
Flexible workplace policy allows staff to work from home and courses continue to be offered in-person, remotely and hybrid.