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The past decade has brought remarkable growth and popularity to Menno Simons College and its programs. It started with a vision from the Friends of Higher Education.

They had a passion to bring concepts of justice, peace and international development to a university setting. They received a provincial charter to grant degrees in the early 1980s.

Since then, Menno Simons College has enjoyed tremendous growth. It has become known as the home of Conflict Resolution Studies and International Development Studies programs for a major public university, the University of Winnipeg. It also became one of the founding colleges of Canadian Mennonite University.

Today, Menno Simons College is a buzzing hub of expertise in Conflict Resolution Studies and International Development Studies. Visiting scholars, students from foreign countries and many academic disciplines contribute to a vibrant, diverse college community.

Brief Timeline

1970s	Menno Simons College is founded as an inter-Mennonite institution by a group of Mennonite community leaders, the Friends of Higher Education.
1982	In June, the Manitoba Legislature passes Bill 34 giving Menno Simons College a Charter with degree-granting powers.
1985	Mennonite Studies Centre was establishes on the University of Winnipeg campus with an aim to start a college.
1988	In August, Menno Simons College formally affiliates with the University of Winnipeg.
1989	Menno Simons College offers its first credit courses, with a teaching president, Dr. George Epp, and one full-time professor, Dr. Bernie Wiebe.
1990s	Four Mennonite colleges in Manitoba and members of the local business community gather to talk about co-operation. The four colleges include Menno Simons College, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, Concord College and Steinbach Bible College.
1995	The four colleges begin formal discussions on co-operation.
1996	One college, Steinbach Bible College, withdraws, the others continue. Excitement grows with the availability of a large, majestic building on 23 acres of land adjacent to the campus of Canadian Mennonite Bible Collegge in southwestern Winnipeg.
1998	Government of Manitoba grants a charter to "Mennonite College Federation," it becomes the province's newest university-level, degree-granting institution.
2000	In April, the federation adopts a new name, Canadian Mennonite University, and acquires the new property and campus at 500 Shaftesbury Boulevard.
2000	By the Fall, extensive renovations are completed on the new property. Concord College moves to the expanded CMU campus. Menno Simons College begins to offer courses in international development studies and conflict resolution studies at that campus. MSC serves as a downtown satellite campus for Canadian Mennonite University.
2003	Canadian Mennonite University merges its three-fold administration into one, installs its first president, Dr. Gerald Gerbrandt, and appoints one governing board.

Today Menno Simons College operates as a college of Canadian Mennonite University. It retains its affiliation with University of Winnipeg and is located on the campus of the University of Winnipeg.

Dr. David Friesen was a driving force in founding Menno Simons College. He was a major benefactor and the founding chair of the board. In 1998, Rev. Jack Loepp succeeded Dr. Friesen as chair and continued until 2003 when the amalgamation with Canadian Mennonite University eliminated the college board.