This issue of Trek is being released on the 100th anniversary of UBC’s very first class of students and the official opening of the spectacular new Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre! In one short century UBC has entered into the top echelon of the world’s universities, most of which are much older than UBC’s youthful 100 years. There have been many great successes in UBC’s history and, of course, numerous challenges as well.
Many of you will know by now that UBC is undergoing an unexpected leadership transition, as Professor Arvind Gupta resigned in August as President and Vice Chancellor after 13 months in office. We are grateful to Dr. Gupta for his dedication and service and specifically his desire to identify opportunities for greater alumni engagement and to encourage the university to be more outward facing. UBC is incredibly fortunate that former President Martha Piper has agreed to lead UBC through the transition period to the appointment of a new President. Dr. Piper’s love of UBC and her unparalleled experience will be invaluable during this period.
Our alumni share the university’s goal to be one of the top‑ranked universities in the world, one that plays a leading and impactful role in the province, in Canada and internationally. In view of the challenges and opportunities facing UBC, this Centennial year is a particularly important juncture that requires the entire university community to come together to advance UBC. On behalf of alumni, we look forward to working with our university’s executive leadership, Board of Governors, faculty, students, and staff to build on and ensure UBC’s continuing success.
We will work hard to continue the growth in alumni engagement across both campuses, which has more than doubled during the start an evolution campaign. We have opened the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre and created a much deeper and more enriching range of experiences for our alumni. This progress has occurred with the unwavering support of Presidents Piper, Toope and Gupta.
This coming year, as the university marks its Centennial, there will be more opportunities on both campuses for alumni to engage with UBC and with one another. Centennial activities will culminate officially with Alumni Weekend on May 28, 2016. As part of the Centennial, UBC’s 305,000 alumni are being asked to pin themselves on the UBC global impact map (ubc100.ca/pin). If you live in the Lower Mainland, or find yourself in Vancouver, make a point of visiting your new UBC home for life at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. You will be greeted warmly and provided with the help you need to make the most of your visit to the campus.
Michael Lee, BSc’86, BA’89, MA’92, LLB
Chair, alumni UBC
Jeff Todd, BA
Associate Vice President, Alumni
Executive Director, alumni UBC