Mount Royal University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Mount Royal University (MRU) is a public university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, originally established as Mount Royal College before gaining university status in 2009 through the provincial government. Known for its student-focused learning environment, the university maintains an average class size of about thirty students and offers a diverse range of academic options, including thirteen degrees, thirty-seven majors, diplomas, post-bachelor certificates, and numerous credit-free programs. MRU’s origins trace back to December 16, 1910, when it was founded by provincial charter under Premier Arthur Sifton’s government, and it officially opened on September 8, 1911. The institution was developed from the vision of Reverend George W. Kerby, who wanted to create greater access to higher education for young people from rural communities around Calgary. Although the initial bill presented to the legislature was titled “An Act respecting the Calgary College,” the founders agreed not to use the name Calgary for the new institution. In 1931, Mount Royal evolved into a post-secondary institution known as Mount Royal Junior College, offering transfer programs that connected students to the University of Alberta and later the University of Calgary. A major development occurred in 1972 when the institution moved from its original downtown buildings to a larger and more modern campus in Lincoln Park, built on former air force base land. The university also honours its alumni who served in the Canadian Forces through a dedicated war memorial honour roll. In recognition of its commitment to social innovation, Mount Royal University received the Ashoka Changemaker Campus designation in 2017, joining a global network of universities recognized for leadership in community impact, social change, and student engagement.