BURNABY, BC: During convocation ceremonies commencing on June 22, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) will present two Honorary Doctor of Technology degrees and a Distinguished Service Award to three accomplished and deserving recipients.
These awards are presented to individuals who are widely acknowledged for outstanding service to their community and sustained achievement in their areas of expertise.
A Distinguished Service Award will be presented to:
Marshall (Marsh) Heinekey
Honorary Doctor of Technology degrees will be presented to:
Nancy McKinstry
Thursday, June 23, 9:00 a.m.
John Babcook
Thursday, June 23, 1:30 p.m.
All three recipients will give keynote addresses at their respective convocation ceremonies
Marsh Heinekey: Marsh graduated from BCIT in Civil and Structural Technology in 1975 and spent 30 years in several key roles at BCIT. He was an instructor in the Civil Engineering program, a Director of Special Projects and Dean of the School of Process, Energy and Natural Resources. He was also Dean of Academic Planning and took on the role of Acting Vice President of Education until his retirement in 2006. During his tenure he helped implement national accreditation for 21 BCIT programs. He was a member of over 30 BCIT committees and boards. He has not slowed down since retiring to Salt Spring Island where he is an active participant in his community.
Nancy McKinstry: Nancy is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors at ICBC and is well-known within BC’s business and non-profit communities. She has served on the Boards of Simon Fraser University, Odlum Brown Ltd., The Minerva Foundation for BC Women, The Vancouver Stock Exchange, and the Investment Dealers Association of BC. Nancy has been recognized for both her professional and her community achievements and has received the Order of Canada, inclusion in Vancouver’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, an Influential Women in Business Award, an inclusion in Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100, and a BCIT Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.
John Babcook: For over 20 years John Babcook has helped shape the international biotechnology industry – as an author, a researcher, and an innovator. He holds ten patents and is the author of many internationally recognized scientific publications. He is currently vice-president of a newly-created biologics division at the Centre for Drug Research and Development. John graduated from the Biotechnology program at BCIT in 1988 and joined the Biomedical Research Centre at UBC, where he led the development of technology used to identify anti-body cells for defending against diseases and ailments. John is the recipient of the Life Sciences British Columbia “Innovation and Achievement” Award. He is an avid sailor and has visited
23 countries – many while sailing more than 16,000 miles around the Pacific Ocean.
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For further information media can contact:
Dave Pinton
Media Relations Coordinator
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Tel: 604.432.8306
Cell: 778.928.2288
dave_pinton@bcit.ca
