UNBC celebrating 16,000 graduates with Pay It Forward campaign

More than three decades ago, 16,000 Northern BC residents signed a petition and contributed $5 to help create UNBC.

Now, the university is asking it’s 16,000 graduates to do the same.

“Three decades ago, people really wanted to see a university in Northern British Columbia, and they put $5 for that vision, that dream, that expectation,” said UNBC President and Vice Chancellor Geoff Payne.

“Now this year, we’ll have for the first and only time in UNBC’s history 16,000 graduates to really match the 16,000 that put that $5 on the table.”

To celebrate the milestone, UNBC is launching the Pay It Forward campaign.

“We’re asking people to build upon that vision back in the day, to do it again, and support the next generation of graduates coming out of UNBC as they embark on their journey,” Payne said.

The funding from the original 16,000 signatures went towards starting the university, and Payne says the money from the new 16,000 will go towards students again.

“[It’s] super exciting to really see three decades later that dream was realized, and to have 16,000 graduates, and we’re really proud of each and everyone of those graduates, and the university community that has supported them,” Payne said.

“We’re looking forward for this campaign of giving to UNBC, and supporting the next 16,000 graduates from UNBC.”