Vancouver College - Collegian Yearbook (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada)

Page 10 text:

In the World of The year of 1928 saw College ' s first Garden Party. Dancing, a picture gallery, an exhibition of drawings and different booths were among the entertainments which provided a truly memorable afternoon and evening. To the right is that very same location as it stands today, depicting V.C. ' s marked progress in the last 50 years. This is where the future Einsteins meet, proving Newton correct or plan- ning to write a new Physics book. Modern and sophisticated equipment was installed to keep up with the rapid strides in the Science field during the last decade. One of the numerous assets provided by the Christian Brothers is V.C.’s heuristic teaching. However, ex- plosions are usually frowned upon. b a

Page 9 text:

the Whole Man The most spectacu- lar, and at the time most devastating, event in the history of College is the 1946 fire, caused by faulty wiring in the attic. The third floor was reduced to ruins but, due io the “fireproof nature of construc- tion of the building, in a few days, to the disappointment of the students, clas- ses resumed as usual. This graph is a pictorial evidence of the steady growth of College. The number of graduates rose step-wise as each of the various additions were made. V.C. felt the squeeze during the Depression era anddhe attendance dropped tem- porarily. Undaunted, the Brothers continued their good work and today we see the fru its of their labours - 95 graduates are expected this year.

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Knowledge The launching of the sputnik - man’s first endeavour in space - these events inevitably caused a rash of changes in the Science Curriculum. Vancouver College had to reassess their direction of this challenging field. More exhaustive experiments, providing broader in- sight and stimulating greater in- terest, were made necessary. This, coupled with the fact that popular demand for a V.C. education could not be met, called for the building of Nichol Hall in 1964. Seven classrooms, separate storage workrooms, a Chemistry-Biology and a Physics Laboratory resulted. Yet the Sciences and Arts, though important are not the only con- stituents of education. The spiritual aspect should not be neglected and in this respect, V.C. has and always will provide exceptionally good guidance. Regular Masses and op- portunities to attend confession are but some of the additional benefits. The occasional retreats have helped many otherwise “lost” students. In building up a strong in- tellectual foundation for university entrance the school has never failed to realize the importance of physical and cultural development. The hopes of the athletically minded students (and faculty members) were finally realized in 1950 when the Alumni Gym was completed. Additional facilities were installed in 1965. Tennis court number one was right on the corner of 38th and Cartier. Number two is pictured above on the present site of Mackin Hall. Number three is in front of the gym. The continually growing enrollments for Grades eight and nine, and the expanded Physics, Chemistry and Biology courses resulted in having Nichol Hall built.