President Alan Shaver acknowledged the generosity of donors gathered for the annual TRU Gala at Thompson Rivers University. Gala raises thousands of dollars each year for the financial support of TRU students and TRU’s programs and projects.

Ladies and gentleman it’s been a busy year at TRU, and I am here simply to say “thank you”.

Brown Family House of Learning

You made it possible to open the Brown Family House of Learning, a showcase of sustainable architecture where First Nation art, culture, and education meet in a stunning composition of glass, wood and natural light. This building is visible proof that student learning is our highest mission.

You made it possible to open our new Faculty of Law, the first new law school in Canada in over 30 years. This is visible proof of our determination to serve students and communities

You made it possible for TRU to become a member of Research Universities Council of BC, joining UBC, UVic, SFU and UNBC to work as partners in advancing the province’s research mission.

Alan Shaver, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor, addresses the audience at the official opening of the TRU Faculty of Law on Sept. 6, 2011. Beside him is Chris Axworthy, TRU Founding Dean of Law.

This university, built by our community, is coming of age. It is continuing to embrace its roots in undergraduate and open learning while growing its research and scholarly activities.

There are many great things in TRU’s future but I want to share just two with you.

First, our new Academic Plan maps out exciting educational directions over the next decade. Our path will include modern interdisciplinary themes in:

• science, technology, and applied skills in society
• power, politics and social justice
• health, well-being and leisure
• environmental, economic, social, and cultural sustainability

This plan will ensure that our students will continue to graduate with the knowledge, innovative and social skills and experience they need to succeed in the future.

Second, TRU is developing a University Village plan which envisions year round housing for staff, faculty and others from the community to live on campus. This will enliven and broaden the TRU experience and bring the campus and city communities together.

Now I want to acknowledge the generosity of our donors. Last year’s economy was challenging for students and their supporters. But you continued to stay the course. The Foundation raised close to three million dollars this year, of which nearly half a million is for scholarships, bursaries. You made it possible to directly support over 600 students this year. Your support is more critical to our success than ever before and with your help TRU and Kamloops will thrive as a centre for education, culture and sport. You have been the key to our success because you share the TRU dream.

Laurence of Arabia said “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men (and women), for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” There are lots of dangerous people in this room tonight! Because that’s what you do. Stay dangerous my friends. Thank you.