The First Fifty Years

The First Fifty Years: 1916-1966

The following is an excerpt from The First Fifty Years: 1916-1966, published by the UBC Alumni Association in 1966.

The University of British Columbia’s first president Dr. Frank Fairchild Wesbrook, gave the University its motto, Tuum Est, It is Yours. To the students he gave self-government.

In Dr. Wesbrook’s mind there were three essentials for the growth of a University and these he felt he had provided, in spite of the other lacks which were visible on every hand. The most important was a first-class faculty; the second, an adequate library; the third, student self-government.

Dr. Wesbrook didn’t live to see his profound faith in his students justified – he died in 1918 – nor the use they made of his motto. The Alma Mater Society, the student’s organization has used its independence with responsibility on many occasions on behalf of the University. And Tuum Est for every alumnus of the University means “It’s up to You.”

The Alumni Association of the University of British Columbia was created by the same group of students who formed the Alma Mater Society of the University and in the same spirit.

The Alumni Association’s first constitution stated its aim clearly: “To further the interests of the University and the Alumni.”

In order to achieve the aims of the Association the constitution set as objects:

To establish and maintain contact between all alumni; between alumni and the University; between alumni and students.

To assist the University by interpreting it and its needs to the public; by keeping the needs of the University before the Government and if necessary pressing for action; by means of gifts and personal service.

The Association in 1936 broadened its aims to include the furthering of education in general in the province of British Columbia. The object of keeping close contact with local situations was achieved through Alumni branches.

This is the story of how the Alumni Association, according to opportunities, according to circumstances, carried out the aims.

Read the full story here (PDF – 10.4MB).