UNBC History Timeline

In June 1990, the members of the BC legislative assembly passed the UNBC Act, officially creating UNBC. The dream of having a northern university goes back much further, to the 1960s, when then-MLA Ray Williston set aside the land on which UNBC's Prince George campus is currently situated as a university reserve. Later, former Bishop Fergus O'Grady proposed a catholic university for Prince George. Instead, Prince George College (now closed) became a high school, though the Prince George neighbourhood around the school (called College Heights) bears university street names as a legacy of his idea. Keep reading the UNBC story.


  • Fall colours at the Prince George campus.

    Second Place in Maclean's Rankings

    October 3, 2019
    UNBC placed first in two categories and second overall in the latest Maclean's magazine university rankings.
  • An origami raven at the Prince George campus

    1,000 Ravens for Reconciliation

    September 25, 2019
    In partnership with the First Nations Centre, the UNBC is seeking to make 1,000 origami ravens to symbolize a University-wide wish for reconciliation.
  • Cree/Dakelh artist Clayton Gauthier carving designs on cedar planks.

    Nenachalhuya – The Cedar Plank Project

    September 9, 2019
    Cree/Dakelh artist Clayton Gauthier is carving cedar planks that represent various First Nations that will surround the walls of the Gathering Place. The artwork has been submitted by northern B.C. First Nations communities.
  • Dr. Tristan Pearce

    UNBC Grad Named Canada Research Chair

    June 14, 2019
    Dr. Tristan Pearce, a UNBC graduate, is named Canada Research Chair in Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change in the Department of Global & International Studies.
  • Edward Stanford, Northern Health Board member; Dr. Dan Ryan, UNBC VP Academic and Provost; Katie Phillipoff, Northern Lights College nursing student; Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training; and Bryn Kulmatycki, Northern Lights President

    Nursing Degree Program Comes to the Northeast

    June 7, 2019
    The first nursing degree program in the Northeast will ensure more patients in the region can access care that will improve their quality of life, while students can pursue health-care education and training closer to home.
  • Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training with physical therapy and occupational therapy graduates and students.

    Occupational and Physical Therapy Seats Coming to Northern B.C.

    May 24, 2019
    Additional occupational & physical therapy training seats will be created by expanding the current UBC programs with the programs in the North, which is expected to transition to joint UBC/UNBC degrees over the coming years.
  • Dr. Joseph Arthur Gosnell Sr.

    Dr. Joseph Arthur Gosnell Sr. Named Chancellor

    April 2, 2019
    Dr. Joseph Arthur Gosnell Sr., a well-respected and distinguished hereditary chief in the Laxts’imilx Laxsgiik (Beaver/Eagle) tribe of the Nisg̲a'a Nation, is named UNBC’s seventh Chancellor.
  • Dr. Travis Holyk, Carrier Sekani Family Services and Dr. Henry Harder, UNBC

    Partnering on Elder Wellness

    April 2, 2019
    UNBC’s Dr. Henry Harder and Dr. Travis Holyk with Carrier Sekani Family Services received a $1.5 million grant to study mental wellness and suicide prevention for Elders in B.C.’s Northern Interior.
  • UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks and Lheidli T’enneh Nation chief Clay Pountney sign an Agreement.

    Creating Opportunities for Lheidli T'enneh Students

    April 2, 2019
    The Lheidli T’enneh Nation and UNBC developed a partnership that will support Lheidli students in gaining access to education, a direct and meaningful response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
  • Dr. Jo-ann Archibald and John Brink

    Archibald, Brink Named Honorary Degree Recipients

    March 28, 2019
    Dr. Jo-ann Archibald, an Indigenous educator, researcher and scholar from the Stó:lō and St’at’imc First Nations, and John Brink, a forestry industry pioneer and philanthropist are named as 2019 honorary degree recipients.

Pages