History

Norman Bethune College was established in August 1971.  It was York’s 9^th College (preceded by Glendon, Founders, Vanier, Winters, McLaughlin, Stong, Osgoode and Atkinson).  At that time, it was called College G and its initial home was in the basement of the Steacie Science building (currently the home of the Steacie Science Library).

The first Head of the College (then known as the College Master) was Dr. Doug Killam, a Professor of English. 

As a university, York was still very young at 12 years old, and the students and faculty (Fellows) of College G were full of energy and ambitions, to create a “different” College experience at York. 

Not surprisingly, the 1971 to 1972 timeframe was full of firsts.  The first student College Council, first student College Constitution, first Fellows meeting, first coffee shop (Lichen), first discotheque (Spinning Wheel), first College newspaper (The New York Thymes), first College courses, all happened that year.  The academic theme of the College was African Studies or Third World, and in January 1972 a referendum was held to name the College.  Norman Bethune was the clear choice from the ~500 ballots cast.  The York University Board of Governors ratified the name in May 1972.  The college moved to its current home (Bethune College) that same year.

Dr. Henry Norman Bethune was a Canadian physician who made important contributions to military medicine based on his experiences as a battlefield doctor in the Spanish Civil War and with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the 1930s. His Birthplace in Ontario is now a National Historic Site.

Bethune College has undergone many changes since 1971, including a shift in its academic theme towards science and science & society, and a shift in its membership as the “college home” to students in the Faculty of Science and the Lassonde School of Engineering.

We are celebrating our 50^th Anniversary this year, and a more detailed college history is being researched and written by Professor Paul Delaney. We look forward to posting it here when it is ready!