British Columbia's Premier Christy Clark made a visit to Trinity Western University on July 12, 2011, along with the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, MLA North Vancouver and Minister of Advanced Education; the Honourable Mary Polak, MLA Langley and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; and Marc Dalton, MLA Maple Ridge – Mission. Clark met with TWU President, Jonathan S. Raymond, Ph.D., to discuss the vision of the University and its role in B.C. as a Christian liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies institution.
“I think that the role Trinity Western plays not only in our university system, but also in our province and our country is a really important one. It is critical that we provide choice for parents, families, and students,” said Clark.
Clark stated the importance of supporting family. “Families are important because they do something governments cannot do, and should not do, which is to instill character in children,” she said. Clark observed that building people of character for marketplaces here and abroad is something that Trinity Western University is focused on.
“The other half of supporting families is job creation,” she said. Clark applauded TWU’s ability to produce world-class graduates, with innovative entrepreneurial minds, who create jobs. “I think that is an amazing accomplishment and a great source of pride for all of us in the province that this University does so well at that,” she said.
Raymond shared with the Premier and MLA’s, TWU’s intentional focus on innovative programs that give access to more students. Some initiatives include, the Aboriginal Partnership Council and designated scholarships for aboriginal students, the Adult Degree Completion program that enables adults to earn a degree while working, and its ESL programs for professionals seeking degree certification in Canada.
A small reception held for Clark, Yamamoto, Polak and Dalton was attended by several of TWU’s Board of Governors, Deans and VIP guests.
About Trinity Western University
Trinity Western University, in Langley, BC, is a provincially chartered, independent Christian liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies university, enrolling approximately 4000 students. TWU offers 42 undergraduate majors, ranging from biotechnology, education, theatre and music, to psychology, communications and biblical studies. TWU's 16 graduate degree programs include nursing, counselling psychology, marriage and family therapy, business, theology, linguistics, and leadership, and interdisciplinary degrees in English, philosophy and history. TWU holds Canada Research Chairs in Dead Sea Scroll Studies, Developmental Genetics and Disease, and Interpretation, Religion & Culture.
[Source: TWU]
