Okanagan Campus Turns Five
In the five short years since it was officially established in July 2005, UBC’s Okanagan campus has grown from strength to strength.
Now comprising seven faculties and schools and educating 7,004 undergraduate and graduate students, the Okanagan campus is well-known for its teaching, research, community engagement and, of course, spectacular location.
Donors have been key to the campus’ physical and academic growth. Irving K. Barber’s leadership gift established the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, which now offers 32 undergraduate and six graduate degree programs. The School also supports innovative teaching methods, experiential learning, and distinguished visiting speakers and performers.
Charles Fipke helped establish the Fipke Centre for Innovative Reseach, the first new building on campus. The Centre accommodates programs for several faculties, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to research and learning.
An anonymous donor provided support for the J. Peter Meekison Student Centre in the University Centre. This hub for relaxing, studying, and socializing includes food services, a book store, theatre, credit union and health clinic.
Klaus and Lydia Reichwald endowed a Professorship in Germanic Studies, which is currently held by Claude Desmarais.
James and Shirley-Anne Eccott helped establish the Learning Exchange, which aims to develop responsible, engaged citizens and to impact critical social issues through collaborative efforts between UBC and the surrounding community. In 2009-10, 291 students participated in 11 community projects.
The Sutherland Foundation provided a pediatric patient simulator for School of Nursing, which helps students learn how to respond to a variety of real-life health care situations.
Support from Dan Nonis and family helped develop Nonis Sports Field, a multi-sport artificial turf field for soccer, football, field hockey and lacrosse. This field significantly extends the playing season for Okanagan campus and community teams.
Student support in the form of scholarships, bursaries and graduate fellowships has been provided by many individuals, corporations and foundations, including:
- Brad and Birgit Bennett
- BC Medical Foundation
- Capri Insurance
- Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society
- Deepak Binning Foundation
- Estate of James Conway
- Grant Carnine
- Harmony Honda
- HSBC Bank Canada
- IEAFA Corporation of Canada
- Pushor Mitchell LLP
- Sun-Rype Products Inc.
- TD Bank Financial Group
- Valley First Credit Union
