Efforts are under way to permanently honor British Columbia’s former premier, the man many call “John from Langford,” in the Vancouver Island city.

John Horgan died Tuesday of cancer. He was 65 years old. The death of the popular leader is mourned in the community from which he came and which he represented, with flags lowered to half-mast.

But the idea of ​​a lasting tribute in town is also gaining ground: naming the new university under construction in downtown Langford after the man who gave so much to his community.

“I just wanted to make sure we moved forward and were able to make this happen,” said Stew Young, former Langford mayor and longtime friend of Horgan.

“He was instrumental in building the university here in Langford.”

Young tapped Steve Rossander to design a model of John Horgan University in Langford and share it on social media.

“I said absolutely I would be willing to help,” Rossander told CTV News.

“I don’t know what it takes for something to go viral, but it looks like it’s going viral.”

The post garnered tens of thousands of views in a matter of hours, along with hundreds of comments supporting the idea.

The university being built is a partnership between the province, Camosun College, the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University.

The university is expected to open next spring.

“We need to take advantage of the opportunity and make sure that before anyone gets a name on this building, we actually come up with John’s name,” Young said.

“He deserves to be recognized, and I hope the public will agree to name this university after him. It would be a good thing for our community to give him this recognition.”

In a statement to CTV News, West Shore Campus Partners said Horgan was “instrumental” in bringing the new university to fruition.

“On behalf of all partners, Royal Roads, Camosun College and UVic, we offer our condolences to all who knew and loved him, and we will take this heartfelt sentiment into consideration as we undertake the work to determine a name for this innovative project. and a special place,” the statement said.

Ravi Parmar, who now represents Langford as an MP, said he was determined to continue his mentor’s legacy.

“I know people will want to find ways, big and small, to honor his life and legacy, and I support that,” he said in a statement.