The College Drive Campus
ACRES OF GLASS
Rear view of the Education Centre
Photo Courtesy of the Nipissing University Archives
In 1967, Cambrian (later Canadore) College purchased 710 acres of land by Hwy 17 West and Gormanville road from the Eloy and Roy family estates. In 1972, the Cambrian College North Bay Campus was granted status as a separate college and given its new name of Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology.
Nipissing College joined the Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology, St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, and the North Bay Teachers College to open a common campus on College Drive in 1972.
By sharing resources, the colleges could offer resources and facilities on par with larger institutions. Building the Education Centre was a significant milestone in the development of both Canadore College and Nipissing University.
The facility features glass corridors designed to capitalize on the natural physical surroundings to connect with the earth, forest and sky. It is situated on a 263-hectare (650-acre) wooded escarpment with over 26 km (16 mi) of wilderness trails. A dam artificially created the campus pond.
Nipissing Biology Lab, c.1970s
The College Education Centre featured a new biology lab where Dr. Desmond Anthony taught and conducted research. The birds were used by biology and education students and originally came from the North Bay Normal School and were prepared by Nipissing First Nation taxidermist Ernest Couchie.
Photo Courtesy of the Nipissing University Archives
The site of the College Education Centre, c.1970 with Eloy’s Farm in the background.
Photo Courtesy of the Nipissing University Archives
North Bay Teachers’ College Badge
The North Bay Teachers’ College moved into the South Wing of the Education Centre in 1972 along with Nipissing College. On September 1, 1973, North Bay Teachers’ College formally integrated into Nipissing University College, becoming the new Faculty of Education and ceasing operation as an independent institution.
On Loan from the Nipissing University Archives
Did You Know…
After the North Bay Teachers’ College amalgamated with Nipissing University in the 1970s, the student teacher population dropped dramatically because a degree (rather than a high school education) was now required to enter the Faculty of Education. The number of applicants rose steadily and by the 1990s, an 80% average was required for entry into the faculty.
Nipissing University College was affiliated with Laurentian University and started with 7 full time Faculty members representing 7 disciplines (English, Sociology, Psychology, History, Geography, French/Francaise and Philosophy). Nipissing University received its charter as an independent University in 1992.
Canadore College has a total of 8 campuses including the College Drive Education Centre and the Aviation and Commerce Court Campuses in North Bay.
The name Canadore is a combination of “Canada” and “Ore” in reference to the mining industry in Northern Ontario.
SnoFest Promotional Buttons
Canadore College held the SnoFest Winter Carnival each year from the late 1970s until 1995. 1977 events included an ice auger contest, ski races with 6 people on each pair of skis, and a tricycle race between SAC president Ken Watson and Canadore College president Dr. Murray Hegwill.
On loan from Canadore College
Remember When…
“I joined Nipissing in 1973. By this time, Nipissing University College was located within the College Drive Education Centre. My memories connect to the people who helped Nipissing become the University it is today.
“Dr. George Zytaruk became the first president of Nipissing College in 1967. Around the time the Education Centre opened, he began referring to the institution as Nipissing University College. He strongly believed that Nipissing should be a free-standing University and made that clear to Laurentian on various occasions.
“Al Johnston was the first Dean of Education at Nipissing University College. He was an honest, straight forward individual who was well liked by everyone. He helped navigate moving the teacher’s college to a University Faculty of Education in the late 70s and into the 1980s.”
Dr Roman Brozowski
Retired associate professor of Geography, former Dean of Arts/Science, former President of the Faculty Association
“I looked at the College Community as a family and although the family has grown and it is a little hard to know everyone, we should still look on it as a family… Activities such as Snofest, varsity sports and alumni events are tremendously important for students and staff to get together and have fun.”
Dean McCubbin
McCubbin worked for Canadore from 1970-1990 as coordinator of the Recreation Program, Dean of Student Services, and Director of the Canadore Foundation. he was known as “Mr. Canadore.”
Excerpts from the Canadore College August 1990 newsletter