Ernescliff CollegeThe building which currently houses Ernescliff was constructed in 1960 as a residence for the Presbyterian Church of Canada. It opened as Ernescliff College on June 30, 1994.
Four days later, renovations began with a complete overhaul of the kitchen and laundry areas and modifications to the pre-existing oratory and many other rooms.
Renovations were still in full swing when Ernescliff organized its first academic activity that September: a colloquium on the United Nations Cairo Conference on World Population. This was the first in a succession of lectures, talks and conferences on subjects such as:
- Global Politics: International Perspectives (1996-1997)
- The Rise of Science and its Effects on Culture (1997-1998)
- Windows on Antiquity: How the Past is Being Uncovered (1998-1999)
- Ethics and Philosophy (1999-2000)
We have hosted many memorable speakers, including Major-General Roméo Dallaire, who was Commander of the U.N. Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Download a PDF list of past speakers we have had here - 8.28KB
One of Ernescliff’s special roles has been to stimulate reflection on the media in modern society. Among other initiatives in this area, the College has organized three media seminars in order to bring together media professionals and university students and to raise awareness of how the media shapes our society. Many attendees from 1995 still recall the seminar Media Values and Family Values, featuring a keynote address by well-known film critic Michael Medved on Hollywood’s Three Big Lies.
On its fifth anniversary in 1999, Ernescliff was honoured by the visit of The Honourable Hillary Weston, who was serving as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. During her visit, she dedicated a plaque and delivered a speech in which she commended the Ernescliff staff for their work at the residence.
Another highlight took place in 2002 when Ernescliff was able to host many young people from across Canada who had come to Toronto to participate in World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II.
Since it opened its doors, Ernescliff has been a home away from home for dozens of students from across Canada and from around the world. The College has housed residents from Argentina, China, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and the Ukraine.