KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University conferred its first two Professor Emeritus designations on June 9th at TRU’s Kamloops campus.
The title is bestowed upon professors who have completed at least 10 years of full-time employment at retirement from TRU and whose service has been meritorious, and who wish to maintain a professional or service relationship with the university. Professors Emeritus are listed in the university calendar, entitled to library and some other campus privileges, and to march in academic processions at Convocation.
The Professor Emeritus designation creates an opportunity for long-term teaching staff to continue to support the university in various ways. This year, the two professors who will be named Professors Emeritus are two faculty who have contributed much to TRU’s campus and community over the years and who wish to continue their supportive relationships with Thompson Rivers University, its faculty, and its students.
This year, the designation of Professor Emeritus will be bestowed upon Assistant Professor David Williams (Biological Sciences) and Assistant Professor James V. Davies (Chemistry). The titles will be conferred at the Convocation Ceremony to be held Thursday, June 9th at 2:00 pm.
Assistant Professor David Williams has received many awards since he came to Cariboo College in 1970 to teach Biology. He won Master Teacher and Innovation in Teaching awards in 1989, a TRU Foundation Volunteer of the Year award in 1998, a Distinguished Service Award in 2004. He was founder of the Horticulture programs, and co-founder of the Wells Gray Centre, the Student Success program, and TRU Friends of the Gardens. He was coordinator of Cariboo’s 20-year celebration, and he led the process to collate and publish the campus Arboretum Guide. In recognition of the many initiatives that David has developed over the years, a tree was planted in his honour in 1999, and he was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the TRU Friends of the Gardens in 2003. He was presented with a Grassroots Award from the Beautify Kamloops Committee in 2004. He plans to continue work on the TRU campus in the Horticulture Department, which he founded many years ago.
Assistant Professor James Davies began teaching Chemistry at TRU in 1989, retiring in 2003. Although he taught at all levels of the undergraduate degree program, his particular interest was the encouragement of beginning students. Throughout his years with the Chemistry Department, he was very active with the Wonder of Chemistry Show, presented at the annual Science Day, and, later, annual campus-wide Open House. He also supported and participated in student presentations during National Chemistry Week, and was actively involved with the annual TRU High School Chemistry Contest since its inception. In addition to his teaching and his mentorship of students, Dr. Davies has published 17 scholarly papers, presented papers at three major conferences, and showcased poster projects at four other international conferences. Dr. Davies hopes to continue experimental laboratory work in his role as Professor Emeritus.
For more information, please contact Bronwen Scott by phone at 250-828-5739 or email.
