Lheidli T’enneh Elder Darlene McIntosh is now the Chancellor of the University of Northern BC and Dr. Geoffrey W. Payne is now the President and Vice-Chancellor.
The installation ceremony to make it all official took place Friday morning at the Northern Sport Centre on the university’s campus.
During the event Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan did the swearing-in ceremony for McIntosh and Payne and also welcomed everyone onto the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh.
Kym Gouchie performed the song ‘I Am’ with the Tapestry Singers of Prince George along with dancers from Judy Russell’s Enchainement Dance Studio.
Dignitaries from the university, as well as the city, region, and other First Nations in the area offered congratulatory words of welcome to McIntosh and Payne during the installation ceremony.
“I am honoured to serve as UNBC’s Chancellor and to be the first Chancellor in UNBC’s history from the Lheidli T’enneh Nation. The immense responsibility UNBC has to the region it serves is important,” McIntosh said, who becomes the eighth Chancellor of the university. “As UNBC’s Chancellor, I am proud to support the goals and objectives in having this remarkable higher learning institution in northern British Colombia and I look forward to the tremendous opportunities for continued growth and diversity in our community and beyond.”
Payne is the sixth president of UNBC.
“As your President, I am committed to collaborating with our exceptional students, faculty, staff and supporters as we explore the many exciting opportunities that await us,” Payne said. “By building out and implementing our strategic vision, we will work together to ensure UNBC is prepared to meet challenges head-on. Over the past 17 years, I have been fortunate to work with so many bright and enthusiastic people both in my roles at the Northern Medical Program and more recently as the Vice-President, Research. I value the relationships I have built with people in our community across our campuses, and I look forward to learning from, working with and getting to know even more of you in this new role.”
