St. Thomas More College celebrates memorable milestones at USask

The Newman Movement swept across North America starting in the 1880s, creating groups on secular university campuses where Catholics could gather and meet. The movement was named after St. John Henry Newman, a cardinal involved in the intellectual renewal of the Catholic church in the 1800s.

In 1926, a group of Catholics in Saskatoon came together to form the Newman Society for the University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus, joining other Newman groups that had been founded at the University of Toronto, McGill University, and Dalhousie University. 

Toronto priest and scholar Dr. Basil Markle first came to Saskatoon a century ago to teach philosophy at the university and to serve as chaplain to Catholic students. The following year, the Newman Society purchased land on the edge of campus and built a white house named Newman Hall, which included living space for Markle, a chapel, and clubrooms for the students. Newman Hall served as a gathering place for Catholic students at the university for 30 years.

Over the next century, the Newman Society — later known as the Newman Centre — based at STM became a popular community hub, hosting coffeehouses, retreats, dances, lectures and more.

Newman’s motto was “Heart speaks to heart” and many Newman centres and clubs emphasize that motto, including the Newman Centre at USask. The movement was inspired by Newman’s focus on integrating faith with intellectual life. Newman centres are located across North America, and their mandate is to provide community, and personal, spiritual, and intellectual support to Catholic students on secular university campuses.

Throughout its 100-year history, other STM groups adopted the Newman name, reflecting a continuation of community life and shared talents. Newman Players, one of the oldest theatre groups in Saskatoon, and the Newman Sounds Glee Club, are among them. The STM Newman Centre continues to present a wide range of activities and welcomes all students.

Members of the original Newman Society continued their efforts to fulfil their dream of having a Catholic college in federation with the provincial university in Saskatoon.

Following a request by STM’s Newman Society and Bishop Gerald Murray (CSSR) of the newly formed diocese of Saskatoon, negotiations took place between University of Saskatchewan President Walter Murray and Fr. Henry Carr (CSB), Superior General of the Basilian Congregation of Toronto. These discussions led to the establishment of STM as a Catholic college in federation with USask in 1936. The arrangement – modelled on St. Michael’s College in Toronto – allows courses completed through STM to count toward USask degrees.

One hundred years following the establishment of the Newman Society and the construction of Newman Hall, and 90 years after the signing of the federation agreement with USask, STM remains a thriving college on campus. Thirty-nine students registered at St. Thomas More College in its first year. Today more than 5,700 students are enrolled in approximately 220 credit courses across 19 subject areas, along with five certificate programs. To support this growth, the college facility has experienced many expansions and now spans over 86,000 square feet.

“We are proud of our century-long history on campus and our long-standing relationship with the University of Saskatchewan,” said STM President Dr. Carl Still (PhD). “From our early years of serving Catholic students in the original ‘white house’ through the Newman Society, to our expansive building and diverse student body today, we have a long, positive tradition as the federated college on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. We are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate this historic milestone and invite others to join us in the celebrations.”

Please click the link below for details on Newman 100 celebratory events this fall at St. Thomas More College: https://stmcollege.ca/alumni/events.php