Dawson College

Dawson College is a public CEGEP located in Westmount, Quebec, within the city of Montreal. Founded in 1969, it is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the province, offering both pre-university and career-oriented technical programs. The college is named after Sir John William Dawson, a noted geologist and former principal of McGill University. Dawson plays a significant role in the English-language educational network of Quebec.

History

The college was established following the creation of the CEGEP system by the Government of Quebec under the Parent Report. It initially occupied the former buildings of the Mother House of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame on Sherbrooke Street. In 1988, Dawson moved to its current main campus, the former Bishop's College School and Bishop's College buildings at the corner of Sherbrooke Street and Atwater Avenue. This site is part of the historic Atwater area of Westmount. The college expanded significantly with the 2005 opening of a second campus pavilion in de Maisonneuve Boulevard, converting the former Canadian Pacific Railway Windsor Station annex. A tragic event occurred on campus in 2006, known as the Dawson College shooting.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is centered around the converted Bishop's College School structures, featuring a blend of historic architecture and modern additions. Key facilities include the Conrad R. Laurin Library, the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery, and the Dawson Theatre. The college also operates the Dawson College Peace Garden, created as a memorial. The de Maisonneuve Boulevard campus houses many science and health programs, including advanced labs for nursing, physics, and chemistry. Athletic facilities include a gymnasium and fitness center, supporting the college's NCAA-style sports teams.

Academics and programs

Dawson offers a comprehensive range of programs under the Quebec CEGEP system, primarily serving the English-speaking community. Pre-university programs, lasting two years, prepare students for university in fields like Social Science, Creative Arts, Literature, and Science. Three-year career/technical programs include Nursing, Computer Science, Laboratory Technology, and Professional Theatre. The college is known for its enriched Science Program and its Environmental Studies profile. Dawson maintains transfer agreements with universities such as McGill University, Concordia University, and the University of Montreal.

Student life and culture

Student life is active, governed by the Dawson Student Union, which oversees numerous clubs and societies ranging from academic to cultural and social justice groups. The college fields varsity teams, known as the Dawson Blues, in sports like basketball, soccer, and rugby within the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec. Annual events include Frosh Week and the Dawson College Arts and Culture Festival. The campus media includes the student newspaper *The Plant* and CJLO, the college's licensed community radio station. Dawson's location in downtown Montreal provides students with easy access to the city's cultural institutions like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Notable alumni and faculty

Notable alumni span diverse fields, including actor Jay Baruchel, filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, and former Leader of the Official Opposition Dominique Anglade. In science, Joanne Liu, former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières, is an alumna. The arts are represented by musician Patrick Watson and visual artist Michele Provost. Notable former faculty include poet and novelist Anne Carson, who taught Classics, and physicist Hubert Reeves, who served as a lecturer. Political figure Thomas Mulcair also taught in the Social Science department.