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Paging through history
In our 100-year history, Mount Royal has always been all about our students, so it’s no surprise that student publications take a prominent place in the university archives.
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| The cover of the spring 1914 edition of The Chinook. |
From 1911–1941, The Mount Royal Chinook yearbook helped to promote student life and school spirit at the fledgling college. Published several times a year, the early editions covered happenings in different departments such as Social, Literary and Athletics. It was a self-sustaining publication, featuring advertisements for businesses like Henry Birks and Sons.
Akin to a literary journal, The Chinook contained stories, poems, activity announcements, jokes and more — and many suspect that Mount Royal founder and first principal Rev. Dr. George W. Kerby penned much of the contents himself.
While The Chinook gives us a wonderful glimpse into the youthful pursuits of college students in the early 20th century, some of its messages stand the test of time. For example, words from Dr. Kerby’s welcome letter in the Christmas 1912 edition still ring true for students in 2011:
Remember the important thing about your college life is not the learning of rules or definitions or the winning of a medal, but the making of character. What kind of man or woman, what kind of citizen are you going to be when your college days are over? You are determining this every day…
Although copies of the publication have yellowed with time, its contents remain as charming as ever. As one editor wrote of The Chinook, “Long may it blow to refresh our drooping spirits.”
Digital archives
All archived copies of The Chinook and the subsequent yearbook, The Varshicom, have been digitized and are available online, thanks to a collaborative project spearheaded by Patricia Roome, Director of the Archives, and produced by history professor Scott Murray and students in his Historian’s Craft course.
This page regularly showcases the collections of the Mount Royal University Archives. Thanks to the Director of the Archives, Patricia Roome, PhD, and her staff for their assistance in selecting artifacts and conducting research.