A post-secondary institution in Calgary has become the latest in Alberta to change its name to reflect its scope and ambitions: St. Mary’s University College is now St. Mary’s University.

The institution officially dropped the “College” from its name on Nov. 25, after receiving earlier approval from the premier’s office. St. Mary’s follows two schools in the province — Mount Royal and Grant MacEwan — which both became universities in 2009.

St. Mary’s started as a college in 1986 before becoming a university college in 2004, authorized to grant Bachelor of Arts degrees. The institution now offers 10 undergraduate programs and employs 60 regular and contract academic staff to deliver courses to almost 900 students in 35 academic disciplines.

Its president and vice-chancellor Gerry Turcotte said the granting of university title acknowledges St. Mary’s “stellar 28-year history and recognizes its actual status as a fully-accredited university within the post-secondary Campus Alberta system. St. Mary’s is not a college in any respect. The name change has been long-awaited and is very welcome.”