OCNews

Okanagan College’s former Regional Dean of the Shuswap-Revelstoke region will be honoured at the 2010 Spring Convocation with the distinguished service award.

Lynda Wilson will be recognized for her dedication to Okanagan College, its students and staff, as well as for outstanding service to her community on Saturday, June 5 in Kelowna.

Wilson joined Okanagan University College in 2000, taking on the role of Regional Dean. She spent a decade at the helm of the region and carries much responsibility for the growth and development of the campus.

While under her direction, the Shuswap-Revelstoke region of Okanagan College benefited from expanded dual-credit programs for high school students, new trades programming in Salmon Arm and Revelstoke, Business diploma and certificate programs, ECE, Human Service Work, and health programming, including Home Support Resident Care Attendant and Practical Nursing.

With a mission of transforming lives and communities, Okanagan College’s distinguished service award is only bestowed on deserving individuals who contribute exceptional service to their community. Wilson is the first person to receive the award from Okanagan College.

Wilson is the President-Elect of the Shuswap Rotary Club, a board member of the Salmon Arm Downtown Improvement Association, a past director of the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society and a past director of the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce.

Upon her retirement from Okanagan College she joined the Okanagan College Foundation, where she serves as a Board Director.

“It gives me a great deal of pleasure to recognize Lynda Wilson for her outstanding commitment to Okanagan College and the people of the Shuswap-Revelstoke region,” said Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton. “She was a tremendous colleague, leader and a great friend. This award is given out with the utmost care to those who exemplify Okanagan College’s mission statement and Lynda is an extremely deserving recipient.”

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented alongside Okanagan College’s 2010 Honorary Fellow awards. Wilson will receive her award at the morning ceremony on June 5, during which time Peter Haubrich, founder and president of the Okanagan Research and Innovation Centre, will receive his Honorary Fellow distinction.

Gray Monk Winery’s founders George and Trudy Heiss will be Honorary Fellows at the College’s afternoon Convocation ceremony on June 5. Dorothy Tinning, a former mayor of Penticton, will be named Honorary Fellow at the Summer Convocation on June 29.