As for you who stand today on the threshold oflife,
with a long horizonopen before you for a long career
of usefulness to your native land, if you will permit me,
after a long life, I shall remind you that
already many problems rise before you: problems of
race division, problems of creed differences, problems
of economic conflict, problems of national duty and 
national aspiration. Let me tell you that
for the solution of these problems you have a safe
guide, an unfailing light if you remember that faith
is better than doubt and love is better than hate.
Banish hate and doubt from your life. Let your
souls be ever open to the promptings of faith and
the gentle influence of brotherly love. Be adamant
against the haughty, be gentle and kind to the
weak. Let your aim and purpose, in good report or
ill, in victory or defeat, be so to live, so to strive,
so to serve as to do your part to raise even higher the
standard of life and living ....


 History
In l910 the Canada Synod and Synod of Central Canada of the Lutheran Church entered into an
agreement to establish a Lutheran Seminary. Though the location first proposed for the Seminary
was Toronto, Waterloo was selected when its citizens offered a tract of land on the boundary
of the town. The choice of location was affected, too, by the fact that the majority of Lutherans
in Ontario lived in the vicinity of Waterloo and Berlin (Kitchener). In l911 the Evangelical
Lutheran Seminary of Canada opened its doors.

    Facilities for pre-theological education were established in l914 with courses
leading to senior matriculation given in Waterloo College School.

    In 1924 the Waterloo College of Arts, providing courses in post-secondary
education in a four year program, was established. In 1925 the Faculty of Arts, under the name
of Waterloo College, affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. Waterloo College soon
began to offer Honours degree programs in the arts.

    The affiliation with the University of Western Ontario ended in 1960 when
the Seminary obtained a revised charter changing the name of the institution to Waterloo
Lutheran University.

    On November l, l973, Waterloo Lutheran University became Wilfrid
Laurier University, one of Ontario's provincially assisted universities, after Bill 178 was given
Royal Assent by the Lieutenant Governor, former Wilfrid Laurier University Chancellor William
Ross Macdonald.

 Heraldic Coat of Arms
In l989 Wilfrid Laurier University received a Grant of Arms from the Crown through the
Canadian College of Heralds. The University's Coat of Arms is on the left.

    The Coat of Arms is composed of several elements. The shield in the centre
is filled with three emblems: three maple leaves taken from the Coat of Arms of Wilfrid
Laurier's personal arms, representing Canada; an open book of learning; and a rose of Luther
which was dominant in the arms of Waterloo College and Waterloo Lutheran University, and
so commemorates the Lutheran heritage of the University.

    The crest above the shield is composed of a mantled helmet, which is
topped by a beaver, symbol of industriousness, holding a lamp of learning.

    Supporting the shield and crest are two does upon a grassy mound, adorned
with three roses of Luther, which is bordered by the University's motto, Veritas Omnia
Vincit Truth Conquers All.

 The University Seal
The University Seal displayed on the left is the customary emblem used to identify the
University. It contains the main elements of the heraldic Coat of Arms. Easily reproduced it is
more vivid in print.

    Reproducible artwork for the University Seal may be obtained from the
Office of Institutional Relations.

    All of the names, marks, and acronyms of the University are protected by
registration with the College of Heralds, under the Crown; and under section IX of the Canadian
Copyright Act.