St. Mark's College, Vancouver


St. Mark's College is a Roman Catholic theological college affiliated to the University of British Columbia. It was founded in 1956 by the Congregation of St. Basil and is next to Corpus Christi College. Together they form one community as the president of Corpus Christi is also the principal of St. Mark's. The college is situated on the University Endowment Lands on West Point Grey and within its grounds is the local parish church, St. Mark's Chapel.

History

In 1956, St Marks College was founded by the Congregation of St. Basil when it received its charter from the Parliament of British Columbia. The Basilian Fathers also founded the University of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto and Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario. When St. Mark's was founded it was immediately affiliated with the University of British Columbia. The college, because it was next to Corpus Christi College and had St. Mark's Chapel within its grounds, became a centre for Catholics on the Vancouver campus of the university.
While the Basilian Fathers supported college, Fr. Jim Hanrahan CSB taught in the university's Department of History. The south wing of St. Mark’s is named Hanrahan Hall after him.
In 1998, construction of St. Mark’s College was completed and the local Catholic parish moved there. The registrar of the college, Fr. Klosterman CSB also served as parish priest of the area.
In 2005, the Basilian fathers left the college and parish. The college appointed its first lay Principal, Dr. David Sylvester, that year.
On 15 October 2013, the principal of St. Mark's College, Mark Hagemoen was appointed as the bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. On 16 June 2014, Dr Peter M. Meehan was appointed as the new principal of St. Mark's College and the President of Corpus Christi.

Facilities

Campus

The college is located in the northeast of the university's Vancouver campus. The buildings include the Dr. John Micallef Memorial Library, various classrooms, student lounges and study spaces, a cafe, and the college chapel, as well as administrative areas for student advisors and faculty members.

Academic Programs

The college, through its charter, is able to offer Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degree in theology. The College currently offers Masters and Masters of Arts in Theological Studies, Educational Leadership, Pastoral Studies, Religious Education. A diploma is available for each program.
As well, it is in charge of the academic formation for the first permanent diaconate program in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Each year at its graduation ceremony, the College also grants an honorary doctorate.

Academic Outreach

The only degree granting Catholic College in British Columbia and the only graduate level Catholic College, it offers a variety of lecture series like Carr Lecture series, the Chancellor's lecture series, an ongoing Symposium, as well as lectures from its faculty to the wider community.

Library

The Dr. John Micallef Memorial Library not only serves the college but is shared with Corpus Christi College. It is a member of the Vancouver School of Theology. It shares online resources with Regent College, Vancouver College, and the Carey Theological College.