The Recent Years
The Recent Years: 1977 - Present
The recent years began with Br. Michael Maher as Dean of Studies at VC prior to taking over the administrative role of Principal. During Brother Maher's tenure of Office:
- the Junior and Senior Boarding facilities were closed and the area was renovated to its present situation.
- thanks to the financial support of the O'Hagan and Rogers families, O'Hagan field became a reality.
- the Brothers Residence, Walsh Residence, was opened.
- plans were initiated which saw the opening of the new wing of Vancouver College in 1990.
The school population at this time was approximately 1000 students, with a large contingent of feeder-school applications each year. The school has provided a very competent academic program for its students, evidenced by the large number of graduates who attend universities and colleges upon graduation. In recent years, enhancement of this program has been evolving.
Of special note is the emergence of a very strong Religious Education and Spirituality program incorporating the Encounter program which was initiated during the tenure of then-Br. Ken Farrell. The administration of Vancouver College saw the formation of Vancouver College Limited as a corporate entity and the formation of a Board of Directors to oversee Vancouver College Limited. Vancouver College Foundation was formed in the mid-eighties with the purpose of fundraising in order to underwrite capital projects.
Today’s Vancouver College is school to 1,060 students with approximately 400 on the waiting list. It is continuously ranked as one of the top three academic schools in the province by the Fraser Institute. The Running Start Program with Corpus Christi College was introduced in 2006 offering University-level courses at Vancouver College.
The Arts still flourish at Vancouver College with a variety of performances by Elementary, Middle, and Senior school students held throughout the year. Public speaking, Pro-life club, debate, and other clubs add to a very full repertoire of academic and non-academic options at Vancouver College. Athletics continue to have a prominent role in the College, especially with traditional and spirit-engendering sports such as football and basketball. In light of the interests of the diverse student body, athletics have grown with recent additions or resurgence of sports programs such as rowing, tennis, badminton, volleyball, rugby, soccer, hockey, and golf.
With the kind generosity of benefactors and supporters of Vancouver College, major capital projects have become a reality with the addition of a new building housing the super-laboratory, second gymnasium, 2-storey high performance centre, performing arts theatre, and an artificial turf and new track. This expansion provides additional opportunities for students to pursue excellence in all their endeavours – spiritually, academically, and physically.
Vancouver College is proud of its history and accomplishments and look to the future with hope and confidence in the goodwill and abilities of its staff. Its mission, to evangelize and to be a beacon of faith and truth to the people of Vancouver, has been realized in good measure, and it is of great credit to the teachers, students, parents, and friends of Vancouver College in seeing fulfillment of its initial mission.
May the good Lord continue to bless our efforts.