History Sir George Williams University

sir george williams university s henry f. hall building in 1970.

in 1851, first ymca in north america established on ste-helene street in old montreal. beginning in 1873, ymca offered evening classes allow working people in english-speaking community pursue education while working during day. sixty years later, montreal ymca relocated current location on stanley street in downtown montreal. in 1926, education program @ ymca re-organized sir george williams college, named after george williams, founder of original ymca in london, upon montreal ymca based. in 1934, sir george williams college offered first undergraduate credit course in adult education in canada.

the sir george williams college became sir george williams university (sgwu) in 1948, when received university charter provincial government, though remained education arm of montreal ymca. sgwu expanded first standalone building, norris building, in 1956. established centre human relations , community studies in 1963. sgwu continued hold classes in ymca building until construction of henry f. hall building in 1966.

following several years of discussions , planning, sir george williams university merged loyola college create concordia university in 1974. concordia provided students representative student organizations , greater power on administrative decisions @ university.

sir george williams computer riot

the university gained international attention in 1969, when group of students occupied henry f. hall building s 9th floor computer lab. protest documented in 2015 film ninth floor director mina shum.