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The lasting significance of SFU's opening ceremonies
On September 9, 1965, Simon Fraser University opened its doors with a ceremony that marked not just the birth of a new institution but also a bold vision for education in British Columbia.
Dubbed “the instant university,” SFU’s launch was witnessed by 5,000 attendees, including Premier W.A.C. Bennett, who declared,
“No great event of our time in this province will surpass the lasting significance of this formal opening of Simon Fraser University.”
The ceremony was rich with symbolism and tradition. Chancellor Gordon Shrum carried the ceremonial mace—an extraordinary piece crafted by Haida artist Bill Reid. Made of polished jade from the university’s own boulder and set in silver, the 61-inch, 23-pound mace featured a stag atop, honouring the request of SFU’s first president, Patrick McTaggart-Cowan.
Architects Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey, whose design shaped SFU’s iconic campus, stood alongside dignitaries and special guest Lord Lovat, the head of the Fraser Clan. Lovat captivated the crowd by gifting an ancient claymore and powder horn, linking the university’s namesake to its future.
SFU’s opening ceremonies were more than a celebration—they were a declaration of purpose, identity, and ambition. They set the tone for a university that would challenge convention, embrace innovation, and serve as a catalyst for change. Today, they remain a powerful reminder of SFU’s enduring legacy and its commitment to shaping a better world.
