Former TRU President Dr. Roger Barnsley and wife Paula Barnsley during Fall 2010 Convocation ceremonies. In this file photo, Dr. Barnsley poses with his recognition of TRU President Emeritus.
Former TRU president Dr. Roger Barnsley is among those to receive a 21014 Order of British Columbia.
The official ceremony will take place July 22, 2014 in Victoria.
What follows is the official news release and a backgrounder on Barnsley.
VICTORIA -Twenty-five British Columbians who have contributed to the province in extraordinary ways will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon, Chancellor of the Order, announced today.
“The Order of British Columbia is the province’s most prestigious accolade,” said Guichon. “For 25 years, we have publicly recognized those who have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of their fellow citizens. These recipients exemplify the positive difference one person can make in a community and are an inspiration to all British Columbians.”
“The Order of British Columbia recognizes remarkable accomplishments by extraordinary British Columbians,” said Premier Christy Clark. “On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to thank this year’s recipients for their dedication – and all they do to make B.C. better.”
Also receiving an Order is the Honourable Leonard Marchand, who TRU bestowed an Honorary Degree to in 1999. That was the first year TRU presented the distinction, with Senator Nancy Greene Raine also receiving one. Marchand is described as being a Parliamentarian and advocate for justice for First Nations.
This year’s Order of British Columbia recipients
Roger H. Barnsley, Ph.D., of Parksville – educator and founding president of Thompson Rivers University.
Peter Bentley, O.C., Hon. LL.D. of Vancouver – forest industry executive and community leader.
Dana Brynelsen, Hon. LL.D. of Halfmoon Bay – visionary in the field of early childhood intervention for people with special needs.
John A. Cairns, M.D., FRCPC, FCAHS, FRCP, FACC of Vancouver – heart disease researcher and educator.
Tung Chan, Hon. LL.D. of Richmond, honorary captain in the Royal Canadian Navy – volunteer, philanthropist and immigrant-community leader.
William Clifford, M.D., B.Sc., B.Med.Sci, M.ScF, FCFP of Prince George – physician and health information technology pioneer.
Douglas Coupland, O.C., D.Litt, R.C.A of West Vancouver – writer, designer, visual artist and global change-maker.
Gloria Cuccione of Coquitlam – philanthropist and fundraiser for childhood cancer research.
Leslie Diamond of Vancouver – philanthropist and community volunteer.
James C. Hogg, O.C., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.C. of Vancouver – lung disease researcher and educator.
Jane Hungerford of Vancouver – volunteer, fundraiser and community leader.
Paul Lacerte of Victoria – leader and advocate for the betterment of Aboriginal people.
Donald R. Lindsay of Vancouver – business leader and advocate for the well-being of children.
Anne Lippert of Vancouver – trailblazer among women in business and community leader.
The Honourable Leonard Marchand, P.C., C.M., M.S.F. of Kamloops – Parliamentarian and advocate for justice for First Nations.
K. Barry Marsden, C.M. of West Vancouver – innovative developer of aerial firefighting equipment and aerospace technology.
Chief Chester Moore of Terrace – hereditary chieftain and promoter of Nisga’a culture.
Rudolph North, C.M., B.Comm. Hon. LL.D. of Vancouver – philanthropist, humanitarian and business leader.
David R. Podmore of Vancouver – industry and community leader.
John Brian Patrick Quinn, O.C., J.D., Hon. LL.D. of West Vancouver – professional hockey executive and gold-medal winning coach.
Bob Rennie of Vancouver – business leader and patron of arts and culture.
Chief Councillor Ellis Ross of Kitamaat Village Haisla – business, political and community leader.
Lorne R. Segal of Vancouver – community philanthropist and business leader.
Aubrey Tingle, M.D., Ph.D., Hon. D.Sc , FRCPC, FCAHS of Richmond – health research leader, builder and
mentor.
Hal Weinberg, Ph.D. of Anmore – brain behaviour researcher and local government leader.
Recipients of the Order of British Columbia have been selected by an independent advisory committee from public nominations. The 2014 Advisory Committee consists of: The Honourable Robert J. Bauman (chair), Chief Justice of British Columbia; The Honourable Linda Reid, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; Dr. Kris Bulcroft, president, Capilano University; Athana Mentzelopoulos, deputy minister, Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat; Rhona Martin, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities; Larry Berg, O.B.C., and Sergio Cocchia, O.B.C. (2013 recipients of the Order).
The Order of British Columbia investiture ceremony will be held for recipients and invited guests at Government House in Victoria on Nov. 6, 2014. Since the Order was first introduced in 1989, 370 people have been appointed.
Barnsley backgrounder
Dr. Roger Barnsley, founding president of Thompson Rivers University, is an outstanding leader.
As president of the University College of the Cariboo from 1998 to 2004, he effectively and passionately communicated the importance of a university for Kamloops and the region to its citizens and the government. The powerfully co-ordinated “Friends of UCC” led to the establishment of TRU in 2004.
Thompson Rivers University is recognized as a progressive leader in forging partnership opportunities with business and industry to support the education and training needs of the region and province.
TRU responded to the needs of First Nations students by developing and implementing a comprehensive Aboriginal education plan in consultation with First Nations communities. Enhancements to campus facilities, academic courses and programs were made in support of Aboriginal students’ achievement and success.
Dr. Barnsley recognized the benefits of internationalization and facilitated the strategic development of TRU World. TRU annually enrolls up to 2,000 international students from over 80 countries and supports strategic partnerships around the world that include over 1,000 offshore students studying to earn TRU degrees in their home countries. TRU World provides over 300 international academic opportunities for TRU students to participate in study abroad. International activities at TRU provide an economic impact of over $40 million annually for Kamloops and region.
Dr. Barnsley’s vision and guidance facilitated the emergence of Kamloops as a university city. His work fostered and supported the development of a master-zoning plan for TRU within Kamloops, partnering with the city in the development of the Tournament Capital Centre recreation complex which is the home of TRU athletics and Canadian interuniversity sport teams, and the establishment of the South Kamloops transportation hub on the TRU campus.
Since retiring in 2008, Roger Barnsley has served on the BC Drug Benefit Council and currently serves as the co-chair of the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfers and as a director of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
