UBC appoints its next Chancellor

Vancouver, BC - June 18, 2020

For more information, contact Wan Yee Lok

The University of British Columbia Board of Governors has appointed former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia the Honourable Steven Lewis Point to become the university’s 19th Chancellor. He will be the first Indigenous person to hold the position.

“Steven Point is truly an inspiration, not only for the UBC community, but all of BC,” said UBC Board of Governors Chair Michael Korenberg. “Steven has demonstrated exemplary leadership through his decades of outstanding service to the people of British Columbia and we are thrilled that he is returning to UBC to bring his vast knowledge and experience to the University.”

Point is a member of the Skowkale First Nation and has advocated for Indigenous people throughout his career, pressing for greater recognition of their contributions and their fuller involvement in all aspects of life in British Columbia.

“I am incredibly honoured to become UBC’s next Chancellor,” said Point. “My father is from the Musqueam Nation and I’ve always felt a personal connection to this land. I look forward to returning to my alma mater and working alongside students, faculty, academic leaders and the broader community to advance the university’s vision.”

Point is a double alumnus of UBC and has retained close ties with the university after receiving his Bachelor of Laws in 1985. He served as director of the First Nations Legal Studies program at the Peter A. Allard School of Law from 1991–1994 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2013 for his exceptional commitment in the field of law, legal and Aboriginal education and his leadership in the Indigenous community.

Point will assume his role on July 1, 2020 and will succeed Lindsay Gordon who steps down after six years of exemplary service to the university.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Lindsay for being an exceptional leader and ambassador for UBC since 2014,” said UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa Ono. “His work will continue to positively impact the university for years to come. I am excited to welcome Steven back to UBC for this important role.”

As the Chancellor, Point will act as the honourary head of the university and preside over all major ceremonies and convocations. He will also represent the university in a wide range of events and activities.

“We’re excited the UBC Board of Governors approved a unanimous recommendation from the Chancellor Search Committee and alumni UBC. We look forward to welcoming Steven back to the university,” said alumni UBC Board Chair Ross Langford, who also chaired the 16-member search committee consisting of students, faculty, staff, alumni, senate and board members from UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

In addition to his role as the 28^th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Point’s career also includes practicing as a lawyer, working at the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs and in the Department of Employment and Immigration, serving as a provincial court judge and the Chief Commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission and chairing the advisory committee that worked to implement the recommendations from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.

Point is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Order of B.C, the Joseph H. Cohen Award from the Justice Institute of British Columbia Foundation, a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Order of Chilliwack, and honourary Doctorate of Laws degrees from the University of the Fraser Valley and Capilano University.

Find other stories about: Peter A. Allard School of Law, Steven Point, UBC Chancellor

Orginal Source: UBC Alumni News 

This search was supported by Boyden's Brent Cameron, Partner and Khaleeda Jamal, Senior Associate.