Virtual Exhibit: Roots of Innovation
A HISTORY OF FANSHAWE
Roots of Innovation
by Tammy Pulinec
INTRO
Fanshawe College officially opened its doors in September, 1967.
Dr. James A. Colvin was the College’s first president.
1,000 students were enrolled.
The Oxford Street campus consisted of only three buildings when it opened; the Main Building (now Building T), the Automotive Building (now Building C), and the Applied Arts Centre (now Building A).
BEFORE THE TEMPLE IN THE WOODS
The Government of Ontario and the Ontario Department of Education prepared for the establishment and operation of a system of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, May 21, 1965.
This was to be a new level and type of education.
One college to serve all the municipalities, including any cities or separated towns, within the counties of Middlesex, Elgin, Norfolk, and Oxford.
Principles driving CAATs:
(1) they must embrace total education, vocational and avocational, regardless of formal entrance qualifications, with provision for complete vertical and horizontal mobility;
(2) they must develop curricula that meet the combined cultural aspirations and occupational needs of the student;
(3) they must operate in the closest possible cooperation with business and industry, and with social and other public agencies, including education, to ensure that curricula are at all times abreast, if not in advance of the changing requirements of a technological society;
(4) they must be dedicated to progress, through constant research, not only in curricula but in pedagogical technique and administration.
Ontario Vocational Centre (OVC)
The Ontario Vocational Centre opened its doors to students on Oxford Street East in London, Ontario in 1964. The goal of the Centre was to provide courses, and to train, and prepare individuals for entry into society, and the skilled workforce needed in London.
The OVC operated for 3 years under the direction of Principal Harry Rawson until its incorporation with Fanshawe College in 1967.
The name Harry Rawson may sound familiar to you as he became the Dean of the Technical Division upon Fanshawe’s opening, and finally President succeeding Dr. Colvin in 1979.
A TEMPLE IN THE WOODS
‣ Site of a man-made lake and dam which is of great significance to the economy of Western Ontario
‣ In Middlesex County, London Township
‣ A pioneer settlement
Connotation:
‣ Favourable
Sources:
‣ Armstrong Origin of Place Names in Canada
‣ MacMillan Dictionary of Canadian Biography ed. by W. S. Wallace
‣ Dellquest These Names of Ours
‣ Encyclopedia Canada
DR. JAMES A. COLVIN
Dr. Colvin was the first president of Fanshawe College. He started in 1967 when the College opened its doors, and retired in 1979.
Dr. Colvin oversaw the rapid growth of Fanshawe into the 1970s with the opening of satellite campuses and the Community Services Division, the amalgamation and opening of the Faculty of Nursing, and the construction of buildings D and E.
Dr. James A. Colvin Inaugural Speech
Hear a quote from Dr. Colvin’s installation address in different languages
Through AI, and with the permission of the Colvin family, we were able to recreate Dr. Colvin’s voice to read his installation address as he did for the inaugural convocation at Fanshawe College on September 12, 1967.
AI voice generation created by Juan Fernando Berrazueta Subia
CREATING A COMMUNITY
Fanshawe College Letterman Jacket, 1970
Often worn by students to symbolize athletic achievements or their program of study, letterman jackets were a symbol of pride and community for students.
This jacket was worn by a student in the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) program in the Business Division at Fanshawe College.
3D rendering created by Juan Fernando Berrazueta Subia
Jacket donated by: Christopher C. Coombs, graduate of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) in April 1970
The first course calendar published by Fanshawe College.
This calendar indicates those courses which, generally speaking, are continuations of programs previously offered at Ontario Vocational Centre London. In addition to the OVC’s 40 courses, 18 new courses will be added for Fanshawe’s first students.
Look through this course calendar to view the full offering of courses to students in the fall of 1967.
Was your program one of the first to be established at the College? How has your program changed?
Which program from 1967 would you like to try?
