UNBC prepares for 33rd Convocation Ceremony

PRINCE GEORGE – UNBC is recognizing their Class of 2026 this week as they will be handing out credentials in five northern B.C communities. The 33rd Convocation Ceremony will see 742 credentials handed out including a record 16 PhDs surpassing the previous high of 13. Among the graduates are the recipients of the Governor General’s Academic medals for scholastic achievement and the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation.

“The gold and silver medals are given to our, highest performing academic graduates each year. The gold medal is for graduating students and silver medal for the undergraduate students and these are truly remarkable students who quite often not only are contributing in the academic sphere, but also supporting the university and supporting the community through their extracurricular activities.” said Dr. Bill Owen Interim President of UNBC.

One Medal Recipient is Araiya Bernard who will be honored with the lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. Bernard is graduating with a bachelor of science in nursing which she has juggled with serving on the UNBC Senate, leading the University Nursing Club and peer mentoring at the First Nations Centre. If this seems like a lot for a young student there is more as Bernard was honoured as one of two class valedictorians for the class of 2026.