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May 29, 2014 - 10:40 AM
KAMLOOPS - Two local men will be among the 25 British Columbians to be appointed to the Order of B.C. this year.
Roger Barnsley and Hon. Leonard Marchand are among those who will receive the award, given to people who have contributed to the province in extraordinary ways.
Barnsley, as president of the University College of the Cariboo from 1998 to 2004, helped establish Thompson Rivers University in 2004. He helped bring in the international program at the university, which has had a positive impact for the school and the community. The international program enrolls up to 2,000 students and has an economic impact of more than $40 million annually.
As a member of the Okanagan Indian Band Marchand has had a political career in Parliament, the Cabinet and the Senate. He has been a strong advocate of First Nations in politics and helped to establish one of the first Aboriginal drug and alcohol treatment centres in B.C. He was appointed as a provincial court judge in the fall and holds an honorary doctorate from Thompson Rivers University. In addition he was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee awards.
All Order of B.C. recipients were selected by an independent advisory committee from public nominations. A ceremony will be held in November.
Since the Order was first introduced 25 years ago 370 people have been appointed.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014