Latest news with #JohnHorgan
CBC
24-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Royal Roads University names new Langford campus after John Horgan
Royal Roads University will name its new Langford campus after the late John Horgan. Remembered as one of B.C.'s most popular premiers, he was also known as simply John from Langford for his deep ties to the community.
CBC
24-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Royal Roads University Langford location to be named John Horgan campus
Social Sharing Many simply knew him as John from Langford. And now, Royal Roads University's new Langford campus will bear his name. His family and political colleagues say the newly named John Horgan campus will mark the legacy of one of B.C.'s most popular premiers. "The biggest fear is when you lose a loved one, that they'll be forgotten. And this means he won't. So that's good," said Ellie Horgan, John Horgan's wife of 40 years, choking back tears. John Horgan died Nov 12 of last year after a battle with cancer. He was 65. Remembering John Horgan 5 months ago Duration 2:55:17 A five-term MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, Horgan ushered the NDP back into power in 2017 through a power-sharing agreement with the B.C. Greens. Horgan then secured the party's largest ever majority in 2020. Despite those successes, Ellie says her husband was too humble to think a building would bear his name. She recalls telling Horgan, while the couple was in Berlin as part of Horgan's role as Canada's ambassador to Germany: "You know there's a movement and it's growing to name the campus after you." Ellie says Horgan, in hospital as his cancer worsened, waved his hand dismissively, and said, "Psssh, that's just silly." Former B.C. premier John Horgan remembered at memorial 5 months ago Duration 2:09 Horgan was a long-time proponent of a university in Canada's fastest-growing city, a suburb of Victoria. He stood in front of a bulldozer at the same location in 2022 when the Langford campus was announced. "If you spent 10 minutes with John Horgan, you would know the value and importance he placed on education," said Premier David Eby, standing in front of the campus building, which will open this fall. Horgan often told the story of how his basketball coach at Reynolds High School in Saanich turned his life around when the Grade 9 student seemed headed down the wrong path. "How, despite profound challenges early in life, he was able to overcome them," Eby said. Royal Roads president Philip Steencamp says that's why the university will also establish an entrance scholarship in Horgan's name. "Even when he occupied the premier's seat, he was always John from Langford," Steencamp said. "And this university will carry on that legacy. John Horgan's personal legacy looms as large as his political one 6 months ago Duration 2:48 Students will study business, social sciences and criminal justice at the new campus that opens this fall. Ellie has ideas on other courses Horgan would have approved of, given his love for Star Trek and Star Wars. "Because he was such a science fiction geek, [he'd like] if there were astronomy, space exploration and electives for rock polishing." Steencamp also announced a $5,000 entrance scholarship in Horgan's name. He set a goal to raise $1 million for the bursary by Aug. 7, Horgan's birthday. Also in the crowd, two-month-old Holly, the Horgan family's first grandchild.
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
New Royal Roads University campus named in honour of late B.C. premier John Horgan
Ellie Horgan choked back tears as Royal Roads University named its new campus after her late husband, John Horgan, honouring the former B.C. premier in the Vancouver Island community of Langford where he lived. 'I'm overwhelmed,' she said Friday outside the John Horgan Campus building that is nearing completion, adding, 'I can't wait until the sign goes up.' Horgan, who was also Canada's ambassador to Germany, died of cancer in November at age 65. 'As late as last September, when we were in Berlin and John was in hospital, I said, 'you know there's a movement, and it's growing, to name a campus after you,'' Ellie Horgan recalled. 'He went, 'that's just silly, they should name it after somebody who deserves it.'' But she said she was 'thrilled beyond belief' that the honour went to her late husband, who prided himself as 'John from Langford.' Premier David Eby was among more than 200 guests at the announcement, including past and present B.C. ministers. He said Horgan focused on improving access to different kinds of post-secondary training when he was premier. 'So it is entirely appropriate and fitting that this campus is named for such a remarkable champion of education,' Eby said. 'I really wish, as we all do, that John was with us here today. But of course, if he were here, he would not have let us name this campus after him. He (was) an incredibly modest guy and this is the least of what John deserves for his contributions to British Columbia.' The campus is set to open in September. Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads, said he met Horgan in 2019 to discuss expanding post-secondary options in Langford, one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. 'He said to me in his usual blunt way, 'you need to get out of your castle and out from behind those walls, and pop out into the community,'' Steenkamp said, a reference to historic Hatley Castle where the university's main campus is based in neighbouring Colwood. 'Here we are – so John, we took that admonition seriously." Other post-secondary institutions will also have a presence in the new campus building, including the University of Victoria, Camosun College and the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Ellie Horgan said her husband would have been even happier, 'if there was astronomy and space exploration and electives for rock polishing,' a reference to some of his passions. Royal Roads also announced the creation of the John Horgan Entrance Award, to give financial assistance to new undergraduates at the Langford campus. Steenkamp said he had made a personal donation of $25,000 to the award. Ellie Horgan said her late husband's love for Langford, education and young people 'all come together in this campus.' 'He would be proud to see students, faculty and staff become part of Langford's vibrant community, and deeply honoured to have his name associated with such a meaningful place of learning.'
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
New Langford university campus named in honour of John Horgan
The new campus of Royal Roads University is being named after the late John Horgan, honouring the former B.C. premier in the Vancouver Island community of Langford where he lived. Premier David Eby says in a news release that the new John Horgan Campus in downtown Langford is a fitting tribute to his predecessor, who 'knew education opened the doors to opportunity.' Horgan, who was also Canada's ambassador to Germany, died of cancer in November aged 65. His widow, Ellie Horgan, says the naming of the campus 'would have meant the world' to him. 1:18 John Horgan memorial: Trudeau, Eby, son offer kind words and song for late former premier Dr. Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads, says in the release that Horgan was a 'tireless champion' of expanded access to post-secondary education. Story continues below advertisement Royal Roads also announced the creation of the John Horgan Entrance Award, to give financial assistance to new undergraduates at the Langford campus. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'As a firm believer in the power of higher education to change lives, John understood the doors it could open for the next generation of changemakers — those who will follow in his footsteps to tackle the great challenges of our time and build a better world,' said Steenkamp. 9:24 John Horgan funeral: 'He'll never be forgotten,' B.C. Premier David Eby says 'I'm proud to support this award with a personal donation of $25,000 and look forward to seeing students thrive at RRU Langford on the John Horgan Campus.' Ellie Horgan said her late husband's 'love for Langford, for education and for young people all come together in this campus — a place that will spark new ideas, welcome diverse perspectives and open new opportunities.' Story continues below advertisement 'He would be proud to see students, faculty and staff become part of Langford's vibrant community, and deeply honoured to have his name associated with such a meaningful place of learning.'
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. university honours late premier with name of new campus
A Vancouver Island university will honour late B.C. premier John Horgan as the namesake of the school's new satellite campus in the provincial leader's adopted hometown. Royal Roads University says the John Horgan campus in Langford will open in September as part of a joint academic venture with the University of Victoria, Camosun College and the Justice Institute of B.C. Horgan, who served five years as an NDP premier and was later appointed Canada's ambassador to Germany, died last November at the age of 65, following his third bout with cancer. 'Our friend John Horgan knew education opened the doors to opportunity,' Premier David Eby said in a statement announcing the name of the new campus Friday. 'John from Langford loved the place he called home and I think it would have brought that signature smile to his face to hear about this campus opening in his community.' Royal Roads is also launching a bursary in Horgan's name to provide financial support to new undergraduate entrants at the Langford campus. University president Philip Steenkamp says he will personally donate $25,000 to help fund the entrance bursary. Ellie Horgan, the former premier's widow, says seeing his name on the campus building 'would have meant the world' to her husband. 'His love for Langford, for education, and for young people all come together in this campus – a place that will spark new ideas, welcome diverse perspectives, and open new opportunities,' she said in a statement. 'He would be proud to see students, faculty, and staff become part of Langford's vibrant community, and deeply honoured to have his name associated with such a meaningful place of learning.' Horgan was named a senior fellow in leadership studies at the Colwood-based Royal Roads University in 2023.
