Ontario Agricultural College Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), one of the University of Guelph’s three founding colleges, celebrates 150 years of history, having first opened its doors in May 1874. 

Today, OAC stands as a global leader in research and education in food, agriculture, communities and the environment, fulfilling its original ambition to become a world-class institution of higher learning.

From May until the end of the year, the OAC will celebrate its 150-year history with a range of events, projects and activities that reflect its achievements and vision for the future. 

A full list of events can be found here. They include history tours through campus, Food Day Canada celebrations and a capstone celebration during Alumni Reunion Weekend in June. The OAC community – alumni, faculty, staff, students and industry partners – is invited to reconnect with one another and share memories throughout the next 12 months of celebrations.

“The entire University of Guelph community is thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone in our history,” says Dr. Charlotte Yates, U of G president and vice-chancellor. “OAC has a proud and rich legacy of developing leaders and cultivating innovation in the global agri-food sector.”

With its first graduating class of only 28 diploma students, held on a 550-acre farm purchased by the province, OAC has grown to over 3,300 students across two campuses, Guelph and Ridgetown, and now leverages the network of research centres owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) that span the province.