UNBC celebrates 25th convocation

The University of Northern British Columbia will be starting a string of 2018 convocation ceremonies today!

My favourite day of the year! #UNBCconvocation2018 @UNBC pic.twitter.com/7JnPGLQKSl

— Darrin Rigo (@Darrin_Rigo) May 25, 2018

Five events will take place where over 700 credentials will be given out.

The two largest events will take place at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, followed by the graduation in Gitwinksihlkw, Terrace and Quesnel.

Woooo!

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During the ceremonies, Lawrence Hill, a critically acclaimed Canadian author and screenwriter, will be awarded an honorary degree.

Former B.C. Supreme Court Justice Thomas Berger will also be acknowledged with an honorary degree at the College of Science and Management (CSAM) ceremony.

This year’s valedictorians are Bachelor of Arts graduate Arctica Cunningham (Environmental Studies and Political Science) of Telkwa (CASHS) and Sukhpreet Buttar (Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) from Prince George (CSAM).

Meet our Class of 2018 Valedictorians! In addition to both excelling in the classroom, Arctica Cunningham and Sukhpreet Buttar made an impact within the UNBC and Prince George communities, honing their leadership and community service skills ever since they stepped foot onto campus in the Fall of 2013. Five years later, they have been named valedictorians for their academic and service excellence. They will each give a speech at UNBC's Convocation celebrations on May 25. Buttar is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in psychology. Cunningham is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a joint major in environmental studies and political science and a minor in global studies. Congratulations! 💚🎓💛🎓👌👌#ThisIsUNBC #UNBCConvocation2018 #unbcgrad2018 #success #leadership #service #postsecondaryeducation #university #PrinceGeorgeBC

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The graduation schedule is as follows:

May 25 – Prince George – CASHS Ceremony

The ceremonies begin with a procession from the Bentley Centre to the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre at 9 a.m., followed by the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences (CASHS) ceremony at 9:30 a.m. At 12:15 p.m., CASHS students will have their class photo taken at the ceremonial stairs.

In the case of inclement weather, processions will take place solely at the Northern Sport Centre.

Several awards and honours will be presented at this ceremony:

• Founding faculty member and Anthropology Professor Dr. Richard Lazenby, who retired in December 2017, will be bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus.
• Dr. Judith Thompson/Edōsdi will receive a University Excellence in Teaching Award. Drs. Si Transken and Shannon Wagner will receive University Excellence in Professional Practice Mentorship Stewardship Awards.
• Drs. Karin Beeler, Tina Fraser and Glen Schmidt will receive University Excellence in Service Awards. University Excellence in Research Awards will be awarded to Dr. Benjamin Bryce and Dr. Monica Mattfeld.
• Corin MacPhail will be awarded the Governor General’s Silver Medal that recognizes outstanding academic achievement at the Undergraduate level.
• MacPhail is graduating with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in biomedical studies. During her undergraduate studies, she received several prestigious awards, including the UNBC Scholars Award, the UNBC Leadership Award and the Irving K. Barber Scholarship Society Premier’s International Scholarship.

May 25 – Prince George – CSAM Ceremony

The class photo for the CSAM students will take place at 1:15 p.m. at the ceremonial stairs, followed by their procession from the Bentley Centre to the Northern Sport Centre at 2 p.m. The CSAM convocation ceremony will run from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Several awards and honours will be presented at this ceremony:

• Mike Cuthbertson, a lecturer in the Business and Management program, will receive the University Excellence in Teaching Award.
• Christopher Turner will receive the Governor General’s Gold Medal which recognizes outstanding academic achievement at the graduate level.
• Turner will receive his PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies. In December 2017, Turner successfully defended his dissertation, A geography of reconciliation: an effective and lawful framework for achieving clarity of First Nation territorial jurisdiction in British Columbia, addresses an issue critical to all British Columbians: how to conclude just and sustainable treaties where overlapping claims to territory and membership among First Nations remain unresolved.

May 28 – Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a – Ts’oohl Ts’ap Memorial Hall – 1 p.m.

Eight students will receive Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute-UNBC credentials this year, including three students who will earn Bachelor of Arts degrees in First Nations Studies.

Three students will receive Certificates in General First Nations and two more will receive a Certificate in Nisga’a Studies.

May 29 – Northwest (Terrace) – R.E.M. Theatre – 2 p.m.

Twenty students will graduate this year, including 14 in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program. Two students will earn their Bachelor Arts degrees in First Nations Studies and two more will receive their Bachelor of Science degrees in Integrated Studies.

One student will receive a Master of Education degree, while another will receive a Master of Business Administration degree.

May 31 – South-Central (Quesnel) – Quesnel Campus – 2 p.m.

Nineteen students will graduate this year, including 17 in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program. One student will receive a Certificate in First Nations Language, while another will receive a Certificate in General First Nations.

Congratulations to all the grads!