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.
In 1927 there were 87 students.

    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 and had an enrolment of 2,299.  On November
1, 1995 WLU had an enrolment of 4,940 full-time undergraduate
students and 2,197 part-time undergraduate students. They came from
five continents and from across Canada. Approximately 97 percent
live in Ontario.

 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 University 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.

 Heraldic Coat of Arms
In l989 Wilfrid Laurier University received a Grant of Arms from
the Crown through the Canadian College of Heralds.

    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.