Thompson Rivers University

Outstanding TRU Students Receive Awards

November 25, 2005

Among those who received more than a much-appreciated cheque to help them further their studies when 408 students received scholarships and bursaries at yesterday’s annual awards ceremony at TRU, were Jasmin Wright of Sicamous and Greg Hibbert of Kamloops.

Wright was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Silver Medal, given to a student in a one-year program at a post-secondary institution who has demonstrated academic excellence and community involvement, while fellow student Greg Hibbert, a recent graduate of TRU’s Computer Automated Systems Technician program, was named 2004/05 Co-operative Education Student of the Year.

“Over the past 35 years, our students and graduates have been contributing to the well-being of our society. Some have been recognized while still students, others have received accolades after graduation for research, humanitarian work and other activities. Many deserving alumni make their contributions quietly, with no public honours to mark the important work they do,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Roger Barnsley.

“It thus gives the university great pleasure when the achievements of students like Jasmin and Greg are recognized to such an extent.”

Wright, originally from Sicamous, achieved a 3.86 grade-point average in the Social Service Worker certificate program last year and has since “laddered into” TRU’s Bachelor of Social Work degree program. Her community and campus activities include volunteer positions on the board of directors of the Kamloops Women’s Resource Centre, the 53% Coalition, the TRU Student Social Justice Committee, the Kamloops Brain Injury Association, the TRU Status of Women Committee and Big Brothers and Sisters, where she is a Big Sister.

Hibbert represented Canada at the World Skills Competition held in Finland last spring after he won gold at the national finals in the Fall of 2004. An active co-operative education student, he volunteered with the TRU Electronics Department throughout the summer of 2004 and completed a manufacturing robot prototype project for Pollard-Banknote in his Winter 2005 co-op work term.

“I’d like to thank the Foundation, TRU, and the contributions from the faculty and staff of the co-op department for their much-appreciated, generous support,” said Hibbert. “I’d also like to thank all the instructors of the CAST program. They were terrific. I’d especially like to thank Al Green for coaching me through the Skills competition.

“CAST is a great program. It’s very hands-one compared to other programs I checked out. Now I’m looking forward to getting out and putting my skills to use and finding local employment opportunities in automation and electronics. It’s very exciting,” he added.

For more information, please contact: Jasmin Wright: 250-572-1821 Greg Hibbert at 250-578-8533