Trinity Western University

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Trinity Western University (TWU) is a Canadian Christian liberal arts university with campuses in Langley and Richmond, British Columbia. As a research institution, TWU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across the humanities, sciences, and several professional schools. Founded in 1962, the university enrolls over 6,000 students annually and provides 48 undergraduate and 20 graduate programs. With an average first-year class size of 25, TWU emphasizes personalized learning and close student-faculty interaction. The university has a global alumni network of over 30,000 graduates and is a member of Universities Canada, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the Royal Society of Canada.The university’s athletic teams, known as the Trinity Western Spartans, compete in U Sports and have won 14 national championships and 34 Canada West championships. Trinity Western’s motto, “Turris Fortis Deus Noster,” translates to “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and reflects its Christian heritage, inspired by Martin Luther’s famous hymn. The university’s coat of arms, granted by the Royal College of Arms, is used to authenticate official academic and legal documents, while a torch symbol is widely used across the campus.TWU’s origins trace back to 1957 when the Evangelical Free Church of America explored establishing a liberal arts college on the Pacific Coast. Trinity Junior College began as a two-year institution in 1962 and became Trinity Western College ten years later. It awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1980 and was officially designated as Trinity Western University in 1985 through the Trinity Western University Act of British Columbia. This makes TWU the fourth-oldest university in the province, following the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, and Emily Carr University of Art and Design.In April 2025, Dr. Todd F. Martin became TWU’s sixth president. That same month, it was announced that Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, would merge with TWU, ending operations at its Chicago-area campus. Trinity Western continues to integrate its Christian values, academic excellence, and strong athletic tradition, making it a prominent institution in Canada and beyond.