As students pack their belongings and finalize summer plans, we couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic about the academic year that was. So we put together a list of highlights from the past year!
What were your favourite memories of the year? Did we miss any of your top 10 moments? Follow us, and share your thoughts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
10. Kelowna Mayoral Debate
October 15, 2018
With the October 20 Kelowna Municipal Election closing in, we partnered with CBC to host the Kelowna Mayoral Debate in the University Theatre. The wide-ranging debate included topics such as transportation, future growth of the city, local impacts of marijuana legalization, and much more.
This all-candidates mayoral debate is co-moderated by Chris Walker, host of Daybreak South on CBC Radio One and Carey Doberstein, Asst. Prof. of Political Science.
Posted by UBC Okanagan on Saturday, October 13, 2018
9. UBC Connects
March 6, 2019
For the first time, UBC Connects made its way to the Okanagan. We were privileged to welcome Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, for the event. Burke shared an uplifting message of inclusion and respect for one another, and answered questions from a highly-engaged audience.
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8. Commons Field Opening
October 10, 2018
The Commons Field was officially opened after a federal investment of $225,000 made a number of upgrades possible. Previously a simple greenspace, the field now includes lighting, a levelled and newly resurfaced natural turf field, and posts for slacklining.
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7. Distinguished Speaker Series
October 12, 2018 & February 25, 2019
The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Speaker Series added to an impressive history of notable visitors.
On October 12, we welcomed American visionary Cornel West, who delivered powerful messages of love and equality. We then welcomed Nicholas Thompson on February 25. The editor-in-chief at Wired Magazine wowed the audience with the possibilities that technology will create in the future.
6. Largest class ever welcomed to campus
September 4, 2018
The anticipation is palpable at Create New Student Orientation each year, as new-to-UBC students begin their academic journey at our campus. With more than 3,680 new enrolees in September 2018, our student population ticked up to 9,945, the highest total the Okanagan campus has ever seen.
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5. Innovation Hub opens downtown
October 11, 2018
The new Innovation UBC Kelowna Hub opened this past fall, deepening our connection to entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the Okanagan. The hub supports research partnerships, commercialization, knowledge exchange and entrepreneurship activities.
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4. Alumni welcomed back for Homecoming
October 19-20, 2018
We were very excited to welcome back alumni at our first-ever Homecoming event. Olympic champion and Amazing Race Canada host Jon Montgomery joined us and led a scavenger race on campus. It was special to see our alumni reconnect with one another at the many events and activities throughout the weekend.
3. John Hindle Drive opens
August 31, 2018
The City of Kelowna opened John Hindle Drive just before the start of the new academic year. The new route offers an important alternative option for commuters. A few weeks later, another City of Kelowna project further reshaped transportation options on campus — a new bridge opened for pedestrians and cyclists coming to and from Academy Hill.
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2. Okanagan Nation Alliance Flag-Raising
September 27, 2018
It was an emotional day on campus as the Okanagan Nation Alliance flag was raised in the campus courtyard for the first time. The flag will be a permanent fixture on campus, and is an important symbolic reminder that the UBC Okanagan campus is situated on the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
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1. Opening The Commons
January 25, 2019
The much-anticipated opening of The Commons took place at the beginning of the winter semester, and students were eager to take advantage of the new spaces. The $35-million facility includes a spectacular 400-seat classroom, hundreds of new study areas, a digital technology centre, a graduate student commons and a new cafe, The Comma.
Current and former students contributed nearly $10 million to the project, paving the way for future generations to enjoy a world-class learning experience from a remarkable setting.
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