Michel Prévost, Chief Archivist
The University of Ottawa enjoys a long history of Homecoming tradition that has helped mark significant events in its 157-year history. As we prepare for the upcoming annual Homecoming festivities, let’s look back at some of the most memorable gatherings.
Great celebrations of the 19th century
In 1879, alumni organized a huge celebration to honour Father Joseph-Henri Tabaret, one of the University’s most influential builders of the 19th century. Highlights included the conferment of a doctorate of divinity on Father Tabaret by Pope Leo XIII. Students presented Father Tabaret with a portrait of himself by renowned artist Forbes. Today, the portrait hangs in the University Archives; one of the few physical reminders of the University’s storied history under Father Tabaret.
In 1889, the University celebrated, with great pomp and circumstance, the granting of its pontifical charter. The Oblates considered this recognition by Pope Leo XIII to be quite an honour. The highlight of the festivities was the unveiling of the bronze statute of Father Tabaret who had passed away three years earlier. The statute, paid for by alumni, still stands in front of the building that also carries his name.
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| A procession for the University’s 100th anniversary in 1948. The 1866 date that can be seen at the far left of the photo commemorates the charter that allowed the institution to grant university degrees. |
In 1948, the University of Ottawa celebrated its 100th anniversary in style. From October 15 to 18, the University held a number of significant and historical events including an alumni convention, a banquet held at the Chateau Laurier, special religious celebrations and a concert presided by the Governor General of Canada, Field Marshall the Earl Alexander of Tunis. Several conferences were also presented and one in particular may illicit chuckles today. It was entitled “The terrors in year 2000.” Finally, several honorary doctorates were conferred to influential figures of the time.
Also at that time, the daily French newspaper Le Droit, published a special edition that captured the important role the University played in the national capital and in Canadian society.
The 150th anniversary
The University would have to wait 50 years before celebrating another milestone. Starting in February, and continuing throughout 1998, the University hosted many special events including the inauguration of an historical exhibit that gathered all living rectors of the University: Father Henri Légaré, Father Roger Guindon, Antoine D’Iorio and Marcel Hamelin. Festivities hit a high note in September for Homecoming 98 when the University was in the spotlight. A grand ceremony was held at the National Arts Centre in the presence of the descendants of A.O. Von Herbulis, architect of Tabaret Hall, the signature building of Canada’s university.
At the same ceremony, a Canada Post commemorative stamp with an initial run of seven million was unveiled. In addition, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada officially recognized the University of Ottawa within its directory of designations of national historic significance of Canada. The plaque designated the University of Ottawa as the “oldest, largest and arguably the most successful bilingual educational institution in Canada.”
