蹤獲扞⑹ Caps off Milestone Year with Community Celebration
Prince George, BC 蹤獲扞⑹s 25th Anniversary year reached a rousing climax with a community gathering that celebrated the Universitys founding and its many achievements, while charting a course for its future.
蹤獲扞⑹s 25th anniversary has been a valuable opportunity to celebrate our unique history, while also examining the difference this University has made across Northern BC, Canada, and the world, says 蹤獲扞⑹ President Dr. Daniel Weeks.
The Khast'an Drummers led the procession as the 25th Anniversary Community Celebration got underway. Download high-resolution image.
More than 300 people gathered at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre for the 25th Anniversary Community Celebration: The Founding and the Future. The event featured an inspiring series of presentations, beginning with a presentation by Dr. Tracy Summerville, chair of the 25th Anniversary Steering Committee, explaining the significance of the three axes upon which 蹤獲扞⑹s Prince George campus is built.
The event featured a number of additional presentations:
- Chief Dominic Frederick welcomed those in attendance to the traditional territory of the Lheidli Tenneh First Nation.
- Margaret Warcup, a member of the original Interim Governing Council from 1990, provided an explanation of 蹤獲扞⑹s Coat of Arms and other ceremonial items.
- Ron Sebastian, a Gitxsan artist and carver of 蹤獲扞⑹s Ceremonial Chairs and Talking Stick, described his experience carving these intricate pieces of art, which have become key components of 蹤獲扞⑹ ceremonies, including Convocation. Grand Chief Ed John also spoke about the Talking Stick via video.
Former 蹤獲扞⑹ president Charles Jago, right, hugs his old friend, carver Ron Sebastian, the creator of 蹤獲扞⑹'s Ceremonial Chairs and Talking Stick, which Sebastian is holding. Download high-resolution image.
- Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount, reflected on the role of government, and how small gestures can make a large difference.
- Current 蹤獲扞⑹ student Samantha Unger, along with Dr. Weeks, unveiled the installation commemorating the names of the 16,000 Northern British Columbians who signed a petition in the late 1980s calling on the provincial government to create a university for the North.
蹤獲扞⑹ President Dr. Daniel Weeks (left) and the Unger family watch the 16,000 names of petition signers scroll by. Download high-resolution image.
- Samantha's father, Wendell Unger, is one of those 16,000 and was featured in a video presentation about the impact 蹤獲扞⑹ is having on families.
- Three distinguished alumni, Cameron Bell, Hazel Nyce, and Ryan Matheson, spoke about their experiences at 蹤獲扞⑹. Matheson was officially named as chair of 蹤獲扞⑹s Board of Governors, the first 蹤獲扞⑹ graduate to hold that position.
President Weeks congratulates Ryan Matheson on his new position.Download high-resolution image.
- The community celebration concluded with a speech by Dr. Weeks, that covered the universitys past, its present, and delivered a vision for its future. The anniversary was multifaceted for 蹤獲扞⑹; events, initiatives, and projects helped preserve and publicize the universitys history, gave tribute to its earliest supporters, educated current students about the origins of their university, celebrated the research and learning that is the cornerstone of the university, and envisioned the path 蹤獲扞⑹ will take as it enters its next quarter century.
This year has been filled with memorable moments for the 蹤獲扞⑹ community, and projects such as the one to honour the 16,000 petition signers and the planting of 16,000 trees across Northern BC will leave behind a legacy for many years to come, says Tracy Summerville, Chair of the 25th Anniversary Steering Committee. I offer thanks to the 25th Anniversary Steering Committee, 蹤獲扞⑹ s students, faculty and staff, and everyone else who helped make the 25th anniversary of 蹤獲扞⑹ such an outstanding success.
The year began with a kick-off celebration on Sept. 2, 2014, that featured a symbolic tree planting by founders, current students, and 蹤獲扞⑹ daycare children. The kick-off was followed by a series of public events that catered to founders, current and former staff and faculty, students, alumni, and members of the larger community.
Today were pivoting into our next quarter century, and imagining a future for 蹤獲扞⑹ based on leadership, excellence, and engagement, adds Dr. Weeks. Congratulations to everyone who played a role in making our 25th anniversary so special.