History

Mary White College was founded on 10 June 1957, one of the first two purpose-built residential colleges on the campus of The University of New England. The College was named after Miss Mary White of Saumarez, who was a member of the Advisory Council of the then New England University College from its inception in 1938 until her death in 1948.

Mary White College welcomed its first residents in March 1958. Blocks 1, 2 and 3 were fully operational by March 1959. Block 4 with the Basement Common Room was finished in June 1963 and 1967 saw the completion of Block 5 and the Dining Hall. Blocks 6 and 7 were commenced in 1988 and completed for occupation by the 1989 intake. In 2010 Mary White completed the renovation of 3 residential blocks and the largest common area, providing improved facilities for our residents.

The Architect John Stephen Mansfield, working on suggestions from students, was responsible for designing the College's coat-of-arms. The Mary White colours of green, white and black are clearly arranged on the main portion of the shield. The three white roses are an appropriate variation of the three red roses on the University's coat-of-arm, and they also suggest the name of the College. The College motto on the coat-of-arms, "Ad Humanitatem", is Latin for "Towards Human Understanding" or "For Humanity".