October 19, 2006

Dr. Don Cozzetto will be officially installed as UNBC’s fourth president during an official installation ceremony on Saturday, October 28. The event will be held in the Prince George Civic Centre starting at 2pm and feature all of the colour and tradition that has become characteristic of UNBC ceremonies.

During the ceremony, Dr. Cozzetto will recite an Oath of Office and be robed with a gown and hat decorated in green and gold, UNBC’s official colours. Representatives from First Nations, northern communities, and Government will bring official greetings, as will colleges and universities from BC and across Canada. In fact, 24 institutions are sending representatives while another 30 have sent official greetings that will be acknowledged from the stage. A highlight of the event will be the President’s Inaugural Address, during which he will outline his vision for UNBC and its opportunities in the future.

Dr. Cozzetto came to UNBC from South Dakota, where he had been Vice-President Academic and Provost at Northern State University, in addition to serving as Interim President for one year. While he had spent the past 18 years of his career in the United States, his roots are in British Columbia and the North. Dr. Cozzetto was born in Rossland and worked for a decade in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The theme of his presidency is embracing change in ways that promote excellence and he is eager to expand UNBC’s regional and research connections, promote Athletics, strengthen the University’s academic programming, and attract more students.

Dr. Cozzetto has moved to Prince George with his wife, Pat, and their son, Domenik.
 
Both the public and the media are welcome to attend the Installation Ceremony. A media table will be available.

Past UNBC Presidents
Geoffrey R. Weller        1991-1995
K. George Pedersen        Summer 1995
Charles J. Jago            1995-2006

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622