Luther College High School celebrates 100 years of learning and community

Luther College High School marks 100 years on Royal Street, launching a year-long celebration of its legacy in Regina. Jacob Carr reports.

A century of learning was celebrated in style at Luther College High School on Monday morning.

The packed gym at the Merlis Bel­sher Heritage Centre welcomed Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre, along with current and former students, as the school marked 100 years at 1500 Royal Street.

Luther’s newest president, Thomas Phenix, who took on the role in July, said he has big shoes to fill to carry on the school’s proud tradition.

“There was a winning formula at this high school that has served these communities well that we need to make sure we don’t forget,” he said. “In fact, what we want to do is enhance it and build on it.”

The school was first known as Luther Academy in 1913 in Melville, Saskatchewan, before rebranding as Luther College and moving to Regina in 1926.

In its first year, the school welcomed 108 students in both university-level and high school courses. Over the past century, more than 40,000 students have passed through its halls.

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University courses were offered at the Royal Street location until 1971, when Luther College federated with the University of Regina and moved there, where it continues to operate today.

For alumni, such as 1983 graduate Lisa Smith, who grew up in rural Saskatchewan before spending her final two years of high school at Luther, those years remain memorable.

“Forty plus years later, I said it was the best two years that my parents could have given me,” she said. “It was that sense of community, it was living with other people, it was struggling through things as you’re living away at the age of 15 years old with a bunch of other students.”

Smith’s friend, Sara Hanson, also graduated from Luther in 1988. Both share another connection: their children have followed in their educational footsteps.

“We’ve both been parents and children here. So now having your children graduated not that long ago and watching with pride as they became part of that same community and built that love for the school that just never ends,” said Hanson.

Phenix says he has lofty aspirations for the future of the school and where he wants it to be when another hundred years have passed.

“I want to make sure a hundred years from now that this is the very best high school in this province,” he said. “I want Luther College High School to be the place that you want to send your children when you want your children to have a community of care, that’s going to prepare them for the world better than any other place in this province.”

Luther has multiple events planned to celebrate its centennial, including a special homecoming in October.