By Troy Gillard

Alberta has new University as RDC becomes Red Deer University

Mar 6, 2019 | 10:30 PM

RED DEER —  It’s official. Red Deer College will soon be known as Red Deer University.

The official announcement was made Tuesday morning, one year after the provincial government gave college the long-awaited green light to seek university status, that RDC will become RDU once its transition is complete.

And while the new name may seem like an obvious choice from the start it was chosen after months of community consultations, research and visioning involving nearly 400 people from Red Deer, Ponoka, Stettler and Rocky Mountain House. Officials say the process was designed to help RDC learn exactly what the college means to those it serves.

RDC staff and consultants looked at best practices for post-secondary naming from across three continents and reviewed nearly 100 workable options that could capture the future brand.

“We heard from a wide range of people, and their feedback reinforced the intense pride people have both in Red Deer College and the community in which we live,” says Morris Flewwelling, Board of Governors Chair. “People have a strong emotional connection with this institution, and that was a factor we considered when reviewing name options. We need to be grounded in our significant history as we look ahead to all that Red Deer University will become.”

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“I think the name is the right name,” says Mayor Tara Veer. “’Red Deer University’ honours Red Deer College’s proud 55-year past, but I think it positions us for the university city we are becoming. I think it will be a recognizable name, it’s authentic, and we know the best is yet to come for this institution.”

“Having ‘university’ in the (name) will attract more students, more international students and more students nationally,” says Esther Schilling, Vice President Academic with the Students’ Association of Red Deer College. “At the Canada Winter Games, a lot of students were talking about how we already had university status and how they’re looking into coming here. So I think (it’s) a big opportunity for students.”

“When community members told us what they wanted our University to become, they used words such as transformative, recognized and innovative. With the ongoing support from our community members and partners, we will forge a new path for our University that represents all of these elements,” says Joel Ward, President and CEO. “Looking ahead, we are Red Deer College, and we are Red Deer University. We’re committed to keeping what makes us great, as a College, as we become the University of our future.”

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