Last Updated: Wednesday - 01/05/2011

St. Joe's College gala marks anniversary

Event raises $80,000

EDMONTON — St. Joseph's University College raised $80,000 at its 75th anniversary gala celebration at the Westin Hotel Oct. 27. Some 500 people, including Archbishop Thomas Collins as well as alumni and friends, attended the $100-a-plate gala event.

Part of the proceedings, including $16,000 raised at the gala through the auction of a Wayne Gretzky-autographed jersey, will be used to defray the cost of replacing St. Joe's 75-year-old plumbing and heating system.

The old steam heating system, which was tied to the Rossdale Plant with a hot water system, was replaced during the summer at a cost of $350,000.

St. Joseph's opened its doors as an affiliated college of the University of Alberta in 1926. As an affiliate it does not register or graduate its own students.

Undergrads take classes in areas such as science and religion, medical and business ethics, scripture, philosophy and theology toward degrees in other fields. This year 1,200 U of A students are enrolled in 60 different courses.

St. Joseph's also operates as a student residence for about 60 students. The residents, collectively know as the Rangers, have held the trophy for the highest level of participation in intramural sports for 15 years straight.

Over the years, 2,400 U of A graduates called St. Joe's "home," including former Prime Minister Joe Clark and industrialist Ron Mannix.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter