3 generations on stage at UBCO graduation
UBCO’s first deputy vice-chancellor will be on stage as family members receive their degrees
Three generations of a local family will be involved in UBC Okanagan convocation ceremonies on Friday.
Kate McBride will cross the stage at the Faculty of Health and Social Development convocation ceremony to pick up her Master of Science in Nursing degree.
Minutes later, her son, Kieran, will pick up his Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree.
And, on the stage in the official platform party will be Barry McBride — Kieran’s grandfather and Kate’s father-in-law.
Barry is UBC Okanagan’s first deputy vice-chancellor. He was the top administrator at the newly formed university campus and led the students, faculty and staff during UBCO’s formative years until his retirement in
2007.
But the roots go deeper.
“I’m just adding everyone up, and there are 13 of us in the family with a UBC degree,” said Barry.
“My mother and father both graduated from UBC, as did my wife, Barbara, and Barbara’s mother — so Kieran’s greatgrandparents and grandparents, his father and now his mother all have UBC degrees.”
Barry McBride is professor emeriti of microbiology and immunology. Before moving to the Okanagan to take on the leadership role at UBCO, he served as dean of science and then provost and vice-president academic at the Vancouver campus.
“I am incredibly proud of
UBC,” said Barry. “It’s a worldclass institution that has grown to be seen internationally as a
very important research and teaching university. And I am so pleased to see that UBCO has done so well.
“We should be proud of the number and quality of students UBCO hosts and the talent they bring to the Okanagan.”
Since its inception in 2005, the student population at UBCO has grown from the first class of some 3,000 students to more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
More than 22,000 degrees have been conferred since the campus offered its first lecture. And the campus has expanded — from 12 original buildings to, currently, more than 53.
“I am beyond delighted that Kate and Kieran are graduating
from this institution. I couldn’t be more delighted they chose UBCO,” said Barry.
For Kieran, the close-knit campus and high calibre of the human kinetics teaching staff were the main attractions of the Okanagan campus. While he grew up in Vancouver, Kieran says he never felt any pressure from his family to attend UBC — but when it was time to apply to universities, he had one specific place in mind.
“I didn’t want to go too far from home and UBCO’s Health and Exercise Sciences program is world class,” he said. “I’ve been so fortunate and had many great experiences, even working on an undergraduate research program that was an amazing opportunity.
I gained so much experience at UBCO.”
He’s not sure what’s next on the horizon and he hasn’t ruled out a master’s degree.
Kate admits having a son at UBCO helped her decide where to earn her master's. As a registered nurse, she’s enjoyed a fulfilling career, working as a rehab nurse with Vancouver’s GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and, more recently, enjoying a leadership role with the Provincial Health Services Authority.
“I was inspired by Kieran going to UBCO. It was appealing to be going to the same school as him, although he might not feel the same way. But I thought to myself, ‘it’s time to do this. And yes, I can do this.’”