Stong College

Calico, a mischievous squirrel, chattered down from a tree outside Stong College. He seemed to be telling the story of this place. Stong College stands proudly on land once farmed by the Stong family. They cultivated this land for over 130 years, leaving their mark on the very ground we stand on. Stong College was dedicated to this pioneering family on November 21, 1970. The college’s name echoes their legacy, a testament to their contribution to the area now known as Greater Metropolitan Toronto. The Stongs’ story begins in Germany’s Palatinate region. Fleeing religious persecution, they arrived in America in 1709. After the American Revolution, Sylvester Stong and his family, seeking refuge from political turmoil, moved to Upper Canada in 1800. Just sixteen years later, Daniel Stong, Sylvester’s son, built a log cabin near Black Creek. This very cabin, alongside other Stong family buildings, became a historical site in 1960, forming the heart of Black Creek Pioneer Village. Stong College honors this heritage in various ways. The Stong Historical Society, dedicated to preserving the family’s history, formed at York University. Inside Stong Residence, houses bear the names of other pioneer families like the Kaisers, Fishers, Boyntons, and Hoovers, who also settled these lands. Even today, the City of North York officially recognizes the Hoover Homestead and the Jacob Stong House as historical sites on York University’s campus. These locations offer a tangible connection to the area’s rich past. Stong College houses the Faculty of Health. It offers programs like Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences. Inside, you’ll find the Orange Snail Restaurant and the Samuel J. Zacks Art Gallery. The college also provides student support through peer mentoring, tutoring, the Agents of Change program, and the Stong Indigenous Circle. These initiatives offer students opportunities for community engagement, social action, and connection with indigenous heritage. Even a mischievous squirrel like Calico seems to appreciate the legacy. He scurries off, his chattering a reminder of the vibrant life that continues to unfold at Stong College, built on the foundations of a pioneering family.