B.C. university honours late premier with name of new campus

Former premier John Horgan at Royal Roads University in Colwood, B.C. (Handout)

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 “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.