A Record Number of Graduates and Ceremonies Throughout Northern BC

May 27, 2008

More than 800 students will be graduating from the University ofNorthern British Columbia this year, pushing the total number of UNBCalumni to the 7,300 mark. The largest ceremonies will be held on campusin the new Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, followed by graduationevents in Quesnel, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Gitwinksihlkw, and Fort St.James.

Schedule of Events
May 30 – Prince George
Two ceremonies will be held on campus. The morning event (beginning at10am) will be for the graduates from Science and Management while theafternoon ceremony (beginning at 2pm) will be for the graduates of Artsand the Social and Health Sciences. Both ceremonies will be in theSport Centre. Between the ceremonies, there will be a group photo ofall grads at 1:00pm on the ceremonial stairs (weather permitting).

May 31 – Quesnel – North Cariboo Community Campus – 2pm
35 students will be graduating and the majority completed their coursework in Quesnel.

June 2 – Prince Rupert – Chances Convention Centre – 7pm
This will mark the first time that UNBC has hosted a graduationceremony in Prince Rupert. Students will be receiving either a Bachelorof Social Work or a certificate in Tsimshian language.

June 3 – Terrace – UNBC Terrace Campus – 7pm
Seven students will be graduating with Bachelor of Social Work degrees.

June 4 – Gitwinksihlkw – Ts’oohlts’ap Hall – 1:45pm
In addition to students receiving bachelor’s degrees and certificates,Sally Ann Nyce will receive a master’s degree in First Nations Studiesand Jacob McKay will be recognized for receiving an honorary degreefrom UNBC.

June 5 – Fort St. James – Kwah Hall – 4pm
More than one dozen students will receive certificates in Carrier language.

Convocation Highlights

• There are currently 819 students registered to graduate this year, the highest number in UNBC’s history.
• Honorary degrees will be presented to Rick Hansen and Peter Bentley (morning ceremony) and Jacob McKay (afternoon ceremony). Click here for more information about the honorary degree recipients.
  
• This year will mark the first time that UNBC has graduated studentsfrom the following programs: a master’s degree in Family NursePractitioner, the MA in English, First Nations language certificates inTsimshian and Carrier language, and the certificate in Child Welfarefor Aboriginal social workers that was developed by UNBC and theMinistry of Children and Families in partnership with Aboriginalagencies around northern BC.
• The Governor General’s gold medal for academic achievement will bepresented to Lisa Emmerton of Hazelton, who is graduating with amaster’s degree in English. Sarah Kuric of Prince George, who will begraduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, will be receiving thesilver medal.
• Ruth Livingston, who was among the first students when UNBC opened withfull operations in 1994, will be graduating with a Bachelor of Sciencethis year. She took a few years off, but has been working towards adegree in Environmental Planning part-time since UNBC was brand-new.

Click here for the official Convocation 2008 web site 

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622