Chronology

1873

June 16: Canterbury College (University of New Zealand) foundation day.

Alexander Bickerton appointed first professor (in chemistry).

1874

Teaching begins, with five part-time lecturers until founding professors arrive from England.

John Macmillan Brown appointed first professor of classics, history and English literature; Charles Cook first professor of mathematics and natural philosophy.

1875

First annual examinations.

1876

Julius Von Haast appointed professor of geology and palaeontology.

1877

LLB course introduced.

Lyttelton Times, mid-1877: "At length after innumerable stoppages and delays the new buildings of Canterbury College are completed, so far as they go, and are ready for occupation."

1878

James Hay and Frederick Fitchett become first graduates.

1879

The College Library established.

1880

Helen Connon becomes first Canterbury College woman to graduate.

1881

Helen Connon becomes first female honours graduate in the British Empire.

First student drama production (of Much Ado About Nothing).

1882

School of Art opened.

1886

BSc and MSc courses first introduced.

First annual rugby match against Otago University.

1888

First courses in engineering offered.

1890

Ernest Rutherford starts at Canterbury College.

1894

Apirana Ngata becomes first Maori scholar to complete a University degree.

1908

Ernest Rutherford awarded Nobel Prize (for chemistry).

1914

Ernest Rutherford knighted for his contribution to science.

Henry Stokes Richards becomes Canterbury's first Rhodes Scholar.

1918

Opening of Helen Connon Hall, first women students' hostel, and Rolleston House, first men's hostel.

1921

Four faculties established - Arts; Science; Commerce & Law; and Mental, Moral & Social Sciences.

1924

Music faculty established.

1927

Law and Commerce become separate faculties.

Apirana Ngata knighted.

1929

Students' Union opened.

1930

Volume 1 No 1 of the student magazine Canta produced.

1933

Canterbury College becomes Canterbury University College.

1934

Library of Congress classification scheme adopted by the University Library.

1937

Arrival of philosopher Karl Popper, who lectured at Canterbury until 1945.

1941

First internal examinations, papers having previously been sent to Britain.

17 Rolleston House men fined for their part in penning 50 sheep in College quadrangle overnight and tampering with the clock tower.

1944

For the first time it was not compulsory to study a foreign language.

1947

James Hight knighted.

1948

Ngaio Marsh receives an OBE.

University Grants Committee established.

1949

Official announcement of intention to move to Ilam.

1956

Frederick Llewellyn appointed vice-chancellor and rector. After 1957, he dropped 'rector' from his formal title whenever he could, in effect creating the role of vice-chancellor for Canterbury.

1959

Carleton Perkins appointed chancellor.

1957

Canterbury University College becomes the University of Canterbury.

Donald Bain appointed chancellor.

The move to Ilam begins, with the School of Fine Arts transferring to Okeover.

1961

Leslie Pownall appointed vice-chancellor.

1965

Rt. Rev. Alwyn Warren appointed chancellor.

1966

Ngaio Marsh becomes a dame.

Neville Phillips appointed vice-chancellor.

1968

Terence McCombs appointed chancellor.

1971

Ilam Homestead opened as the Staff Club.

1974

Opening of the James Hight Library, New Zealand's largest university building at the time.

The three university halls of residence at Ilam become known collectively as University Hall.

1972

Three new halls of residence open, initially named 'North', 'South' and 'West'.

John Matson appointed chancellor.

1973

The University's centennial, at which it is announced that buildings at the old town site will be given to the people of Christchurch as an arts centre.

1975

Plans for student radio station Radio U announced, to broadcast during enrolment and orientation in 1976.

1977

Albert Brownlie appointed vice-chancellor.

Brian Anderson appointed chancellor.

1979

Jean Herbison becomes first woman chancellor of a New Zealand university.

School of Fine Arts shifts from Okeover Homestead to its new buildings.

1980

New Start programme for adult students established by Department of Extension Studies.

1983

David Tan, aged 16, completes a BSc(Hons) degree in mathematics.

1984

Charles Caldwell appointed chancellor.

1985

Botany department becomes P.A.M.S. (Plant and Microbial Sciences).

1986

BA (Hons) degree introduced.

John Densem's musical Bicky premieres at the Court Theatre, starring the only professor ever to be sacked by Canterbury, A.W. Bickerton.

1987

Richard Bowron appointed chancellor.

1991

Women graduates outnumber men for the first time in the University's 118 years.

Two famous alumni faces appear on the new New Zealand bank notes; Sir Apirana Ngata on the $50 note and Ernest Rutherford on the $100 note.

1992

Ian Leggat appointed chancellor.

Seven-year-old Michael Tan becomes youngest New Zealander to attend university.

Linguistics becomes a department.

1993

Pro-chancellor Reverend Dr Phyllis Guthardt becomes a dame.

1994

Alumni Association officially launched.
Canterbury's oldest known student Roland Denton signs on as a member, aged 100.

The feminist studies programme is given departmental status.

1998

Daryl Le Grew appointed vice-chancellor.

Dame Phyllis Guthardt appointed chancellor.

1999

Fine Arts graduate Vincent Ward's film What Dreams May Come picks up an Oscar for best visual effects.

2000

College House 150th anniversary and reunion.

2002

Professor Daryl Le Grew resigned as vice-chancellor.

Professor Bob Kirk appointed acting vice-chancellor.

2003

Professor Roy Sharp appointed vice-chancellor.

Dr Robin Mann appointed chancellor.

2004

New structure introduced - four colleges (Arts; Business and Economics; Engineering; and Science) and a School of Law.

First Performance-Based Research Fund results released.

Professor Roy Sharp resigned as vice-chancellor.

Professor Ian Town appointed acting vice-chancellor.

Dr Rod Carr appointed vice-chancellor.

Rex Williams appointed chancellor.