May 24, 2000 For Immediate Release

The UNBC Alumni Association will have 1700 members after the University's May 26th Convocation ceremony. A total of 557 students are receiving degrees this year, including 81 graduate students who are receiving master's degrees.

Convocation Schedule:
Thursday, May 25th, 7pm, Alumni Reception (Cafeteria)
Friday, May 26th, 1:30pm Multiplex Procession and Start of Ceremony

Convocation Facts & Figures
· Honorary doctoral degrees are being presented to Nisga'a Chief Joseph Gosnell and UNBC Founder Horst Sander. Former Advanced Education Minister Bruce Strachan is being recognized as a Friend of the University.
· 26 graduates completed their coursework in regional teaching centres.
· Events are being held in Terrace (May 28) and the Nass Valley (May 29) to recognize graduates from those communities. Nineteen graduate students completed their coursework in Terrace, for example, and two students are earning bachelor's degrees in Nisga'a Studies.
· Terrace student Jacqueline Hoekstra (MA Interdisciplinary) is receiving the Governor-General's gold medal as the top graduate student and Shunlai Li (BA Math & Economics) of Suzhou, China, is receiving the Governor-General's silver medal as the top undergraduate.

Note to Media: A media table will be set up on the floor of the Multiplex adjacent to the sound system table. Copies of the speeches and the agenda for the entire ceremony will be provided.