Skip to content

College president honoured

Dr. Nick Rubidge surprised by medal ceremony to commemorate his retirement year.
26338cranbrookdailyNickRubidge_web
Dignitaries congratulate outgoing College of the Rockies president Dr. Nick Rubidge on his Diamond Jubilee Medal

A generous crowd surprised College of the Rockies president Dr. Nick Rubidge on Friday, February 15 with a special ceremony.

Kootenay Columbia MP David Wilks presented Dr. Rubidge with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the East Kootenay's most influential people were there to congratulation the outgoing president.

Dr. Rubidge will retire later this year after 12 years heading the College of the Rockies.

Nominated by College of the Rockies' Board of Governors and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizes Dr. Rubidge's contribution to adult and post-secondary education in British Columbia, across Canada and internationally.

"This is a great day to recognize Nick Rubidge, who has dedicated more than 40 years to enriching lives and engaging communities through the power of post-secondary and adult education," said MP Wilks in his presentation.

Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett complimented Dr. Rubidge's character.

"The quality that comes first to mind with Nick is that he's a gentleman. He is a wonderful human being to work with and it has been a pleasure to work with him," said Bennett.

Kathryn Teneese presented Dr. Rubidge with the Ktunaxa's gratitude.

"On behalf of the Ktunaxa Nation, we want to express our appreciation for the time we have had to spend with Nick," said Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Chair. "As a Nation, we are so appreciative of the opportunities made available to us through Nick's leadership."

College of the Rockies board chair Orest Federko commended Dr. Rubidge's long-standing support for education.

"Believing strongly that education is key to personal and community success, Nick has dedicated his life to giving citizens and communities what he believes is everyone's right: access to quality adult education," said Federko.

In celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 60th anniversary as Queen of Canada, the Diamond Jubilee Medal is recognizing 60,000 Canadians who have built and continue to build our society and country through service, contributions and achievements.