On December 15, 2014, Canadian University College's Board of
Trustees approved changing the institution's name to Burman
University.
The new name recognizes the service of Charles A.
and Leona Burman the husband and wife team who founded the institution in 1907.
Charles A. Burman served as the first and third President (Principal) of the
school that would be known as CUC. Leona
Burman taught English, science, language, geography, physiology, and acted as
school nurse. Both Charles and Leona
devoted their entire lives to the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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| Charles Burman |
“It was because of their selfless
dedication and sacrifice that a school on this hilltop was eventually established,” said CUC President Mark Haynal.
“In every season of their ministry both of these pioneers exemplified
the mission of our school. They thought
with discernment, believed with insight and commitment, and acted with
confidence, compassion and competence.”
On July 2, 2014 the Alberta government
granted CUC permission to change the institution's status and name from
“university college” to “university.”
"Referring to ourselves simply as a
university will more clearly reflect our degree-granting status and enable our
students to pursue graduate school and employment without having to repeatedly
explaining what a ‘university college’ is,” says Haynal. "Because
‘university college’ means markedly different things in different regions, potential
students and administrators of post-secondary institutions across Canada and
around the world have always been uncertain about and often confused by our name.”
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| Leona Burman |
The name "Burman University" was chosen after an intensive process of focus groups
held in three regions of Canada. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and citizens of Lacombe joined the process, suggesting more than a hundred possible names. (Please click here for more information about the rationale for this choice.)
CUC will continue operating as Canadian University
College for the remainder of the 2014-2015 academic calendar year. Full
implementation of the new name will take place May 1, 2015. The name change
process will be fully complete after petition for amendments through a private
bill moves through the Alberta legislature.
My thoughts are that as the name stands it sounds like an institution from The Indo China region rather than Canada. I believe that the name would represent the founders better and sound more distinctive if it included their initials in the name. Perhaps include the first initial from each of the individuals.
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