KAMLOOPS – The Williams Lake campus of Thompson Rivers University will be officially opened on Thursday, April 5, 2007.

Williams Lake’s own Rick Hansen will be part of these celebrations.  In recognition of Mr. Hansen’s important contributions and achievements, including his legendary Man in Motion World Tour, he will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the university. In 1985 (to 1987), the Man in Motion World Tour spanned more than 40,000 km through 34 countries, took over two years to complete and raised $26 million for spinal cord injury. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tour, and over 20 years of dreams in motion.

“TRU is honoured and delighted that Rick Hansen has agreed to accept an honorary degree from our university,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Roger Barnsley, who noted that Mr. Hansen was at the university’s Kamloops campus in 1990 to help celebrate its 20th anniversary.

“It’s great to be back in Williams Lake and to be acknowledged by the university at this exciting time,” said Rick Hansen, President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “Ever since I was a boy living here, and particularly during the past 20 years, the support and generosity of the people in this community has been amazing, and I’m incredibly proud to receive this honour.”

The public is invited to take part in this official celebration of the opening of the community’s and the university’s long-awaited 75,000 square-foot new campus facility, under construction since July 2005.

The event, which includes an academic procession, a welcome and introductions by TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Roger Barnsley, a First Nations blessing, ribbon cutting, reception and campus tours, will be held in the main entrance of the building at 11 am.

Classes commenced Jan. 8 at the new campus, located at 1250 Western Avenue, and an open house was held for the community March 8.

For more information, please contact Dr. Martin Whittles, Interim Dean, TRU-WL at 250-392-8000.