Prince George, BC – It’s cap and gown day at UNBC as hundreds of students will receive their credentials at the  2016 Convocation ceremony.

The  event starts at 9 this morning  with a procession from the Bentley Centre to the  Northern Sports Centre.

Among the highlights of this year’s event is the  installation ceremony  for  alumnus James Moore  as the  sixth Chancellor of UNBC.   Moore’s  selection has been a controversial one , as some faculty and students have protested his appointment.

In all,  the University will hold  six Convocation ceremonies in  five  communities throughout  Northern B.C.

Two will take place at the Northern Sport Centre today (  College of Science and Management and College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences)  then four next week in  the communities of Gitwinksihlkw, Terrace, Quesnel, and Fort St. John.

Ceremonies today will also see two  retiring professors, Dr. Lee Keener and Dr. Staffan Lindgren, bestowed with the titles Professor Emeritus.

Two honourary degrees will be  handed out,  one to  writer Patrick Lane, the other to Aboriginal educator Dr. Leroy Little Bear.

Master of Science (Computer Science) graduate Negar Hassanpour will receive the Governor General Gold Medal. The gold medal is awarded in the final year to the graduate student who has the highest overall academic standing in his or her degree program.

Kyle Malinsky will be awarded the Governor General Silver Medal. The silver medal is given to the undergraduate student who achieves the highest academic standing upon graduation from a Bachelor degree program.

Fourteen faculty members will receive University Achievement Awards.