Prince George, B.C.- There was no shortage of praise for outgoing CNC President John Bowman this afternoon as colleagues, friends,  students and members of the community bid him farewell.

 

Bowman is leaving his post as President of the College of New Caledonia to take on that same position at the North Island College on Vancouver Island. He had been at CNC for 15 years, 7 of which he was President.

 

Bowman was praised for his forward vision and his policy of inclusion which extended to the satellite campuses, students and First Nations. 

 

Pat Bell, former MLA for  Prince George Mackenzie credited Bowman  with  pressing  to make CNC a  leader, “I think there have been very few Presidents who have made the progress in difficult times that John Bowman has made. When I think over the past 7 years of the things John has accomplished, he really has lead the way in British Columbia in establishing a more focused effort, particularly in trades training programs and I think that has been a tremendous asset to the community.”

 

The John  Brink Centre, the Trades Training Centres in Prince George and Quesnel, his work to achieve twinning educational opportunities with the city of Jiangmen China and his collaboration with other northern colleges and the University of Northern B.C.,  just some of the accomplishments under his leadership.

 

It is his leadership that sparked the Leadership Legacy Corporation Prince George Chapter to create a special award in Bowman’s name. The Leadership Legacy John Bowman award to recognize leaders in the community. It will be presented annually to the person or group that advances and invests in leadership principles and service to the community.

 

From the Board of Governors of CNC, a special presentation of a Cheslatta Chief Louis Paddle. It is engraved with First Nations’ symbols for knowledge, an eagle and the inscription “ Thank you John Bowman. Like the eagle, you have displayed vision, strength and courage at CNC.”

 

 

Bowman was clearly overwhelmed by the praise and fond farewell. More than once he dabbed his eyes to stem the flow of tears.  It was a humble Bowman who told the gathering at the College that the praise really belongs to the team working at CNC “I have been fortunate to lead the team for the last 7 years but I know well, that this College has done well and functioned better when I have done less and let other people do more. Really that’s what’s happened, we have a group of dedicated, competent and passionate people. I have just had the privilege of getting out of their way most of the time and letting things happen.”  

 

Bowman called on those in attendance to offer their support and encouragement to the executive team and the interim president. “It is a difficult job and we have been through some difficult times and things are pretty good right now, but I think there are more difficult times ahead, so we’re going to need to continue to pull together not only at CNC, but in the community and across the province until there are better times ahead.”