The Collegiate Gothic architecture of The University of Western Ontario offers up a timeless and imposing presence.
Law Library
Yet there are many other unique campus features that may get missed in the rush to classes, labs and meetings. Western News will take a closer look at some of the characteristics that paint the campus with so much of its character and individuality.
Lauded as one of the “noblest” rooms of its kind in Canada, Conron Hall – originally opened in September 1924 as Convocation Hall – has come to symbolize the history, character and quality of higher education at Western.
While the Collegiate Gothic style, stone traceries, decorative balustrades, carved paneling and cathedral heights are among it’s tell-tale charms, the leaded glass windows, interspersed with blue and gold fleur-de-lis, featuring crests of colleges and universities punctuate the room with lively colour and give life to the 85-year-old hall.
The hall is on the second floor of University College, one of the two original buildings of campus.
The 33 ‘Crests of Conron’ represent everything from Canadian colleges and universities at the time, such as Queen’s, McMaster and Dalhousie, to commonwealths such as Calcutta, Ireland and New Zealand.
But stained glass is also contributing to inspiration in the Richard Ivey School of Business and the Faculty of Law.
Within the atrium of the business school, a series of arching stained glass panels greet visitors to the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management. In the Law library, an enormous and colourful creation rains light down on the studying students.
Almost every stained glass panel comes with a story and this is certainly true in the Moot Court Room where an eight-panel stained glass window dominates the rear of the classroom. The Ivan C. Rand Memorial Window recognizes the faculty’s founding dean, a towering figure in Canadian legal history. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, a Companion of the Order of Canada, and a labour arbitrator
Moot Court
If you would like to share a special corner or feature of campus let us know by contacting Western News reporter Paul Mayne at [email protected].