May 26, 2003 For Immediate Release

The University of Northern British Columbia's tenth graduation ceremony will be held this Friday, May 30th, at the Prince George Multiplex. The schedule of events follows:

Thursday, May 29
8pm
Alumni Reception for all graduates of UNBC and their families in the UNBC Cafeteria. The annual Alumni of the Year presentation will be held at about 8:30.

Friday, May 30
8:30 - 10:30am
Graduate registration and gown pick-up

10:45am
Group photo on the ceremonial stairs in the Agora Courtyard (weather permitting)

11:15 - 12:30pm
Lunch for graduates in the Agora

1:30pm
Start of ceremony at the Prince George Multiplex

4:00pm Post-graduation reception on campus in the Bentley Centre

After the Prince George convocation, there will be regional graduation ceremonies in Terrace (June 2nd), New Aiyansh in the Nass Valley (June 2nd), Quesnel (June 4th), and Fort St John (July 11th).

Convocation 2003 Facts and Figures
- About 650 students are expected to graduate from UNBC this year, pushing the total membership in the Alumni Association to just over 3500. In fact, after this year's ceremony, UNBC will have about as many graduates as it has current students.

- An honorary degree will be presented to Audrey McLaughlin, former Leader of the Federal NDP and champion of northern issues for the past 25 years.

- Two top students will be recognized with Governor General medals of academic achievement. Kevin Fort of Toronto is graduating with a master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies and conducted research on how habitat disturbance affected breeding behaviour in birds. Barbara Gauss of Canim Lake (a small community near 100 Mile House) is receiving a bachelor's of science degree in Geography and Environmental Science.