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.

  • Students register at UNBC for the first time

    First Day of Registration at UNBC

    September 6, 1994
    Student street fills with tables to register future UNBC students for their first day at the new Northern University.
  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opens UNBC

    Official Opening

    August 17, 1994
    Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opens UNBC with 1500 students.
  • Man wearing Celebrate UNBC t-shirt

    Celebrate UNBC

    July 15, 1994
    A "Celebrate UNBC" t-shirt campaign was organized for Prince George businesses. In only a few months the t-shirt sales reached 12,000 showing the extraordinary support for UNBC from the local community.
  • Celebration of a construction milestone

    Main Structures are Complete

    May 15, 1994
    In mid-May a brief ceremony took place to mark the completion of the main structures of the Cranbrook Hill campus. "I Built UNBC" baseball caps were given out to members of the workforce.
  • Group of UNBC's first graduates

    First Graduates

    May 14, 1994
    Six students from the "QuickStart" Program graduate from UNBC.
  • UNBC Coat of Arms

    'En Cha Hunà

    May 1, 1994
    UNBC's Motto and Coat of Arms are established.
    Read More
  • Ron Sebastian with the Ceremonial Chairs

    Ceremonial Chairs

    March 16, 1994
    Carver Ron Sebastian presents the Ceremonial Chancellor's and President's Chairs to the University.
    Read More

  • Creation of Senate

    January 9, 1993
    By the fall of 1993, faculty, officers and students are in place, and the creation of a Senate body is now under way.
    UNBC Governance
  • Amanda Bullock

    First UNBC Student

    September 1, 1992
    Amanda Bullock gains a place in University history by becoming UNBC's first student.
  • Construction of the Prince George campus

    Constructions Begins

    May 14, 1992
    Construction begins on the University's Prince George campus.
    Construction Photos

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