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COTR President Nick Rubidge presented with Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
College of the Rockies President and CEO Dr. Nick Rubidge was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on Friday, February 15 by David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia in a surprise ceremony at the college’s main campus.
Also in attendance to congratulate Dr. Rubidge were the Honourable Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development; Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair; members of College of the Rockies’ Board of Governors including medal ceremony MC and Board Chair Orest Federko; past College Board Chairs Ron Toyota and Alex Jensen and COTR students and employees. In addition, former Kootenay-Columbia MP Jim Abbott was attendance, as well as candidates for the upcoming provincial election, Doug Clovechok (Liberal) from Columbia River-Revelstoke, who also manages the Invermere COTR campus, and Norma Blissett (NDP) from Kootenay East.
Nominated by College of the Rockies’ Board of Governors and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizes the exceptional contribution Dr. Rubidge has made to adult and post-secondary education in British Columbia, across Canada and internationally.
On February 6, 2012 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marked the 60th anniversary of her accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. In celebration of this event, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was created as a visible and tangible way to recognize outstanding Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life who have built and continue to build our society and country through their service, contributions and achievements.
“The quality that always comes to mind with Nick is he’s a gentleman,” Bennett told the gathering. “Nick has a way of just calming the situation down. It’s been such a pleasure for me working with Nick.”
Teneese, after presenting the audience with a traditional greeting, expressed appreciation “of the time we’ve spent with Nick.”
She reminded people of the time when COTR was scattered around the city and noted that Rubidge has consolidated it into a comprehensive facility.
“The dream of this place was always there,” Teneese said, referring to the great hall and Gathering Place. “These are something we’ve done in partnership because of the leadership of Dr. Rubidge. He is a fully deserving recipient of this medal.”
Board Chair Federko stated, “Nick is a clear example of what the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal represents. He has dedicated more than 40 years to enriching lives and engaging communities through the power of post-secondary and adult 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.”
Since taking the position of College of the Rockies President in April 2001, Dr. Rubidge has guided the College through exceptional growth. Due to his vision and leadership this growth has provided the Kootenay region with a College that has capacity for the future, is inviting to students of all ages and has state-of-the-art computer-based teaching technology which allows students from regional facilities and beyond to take part in classroom instruction delivered from the main campus in Cranbrook.
The presentation of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal comes during the final year of Dr. Rubidge’s outstanding career. “It is very fitting that we are honouring Nick now in this his retirement year for his many contributions and significant service to his fellow citizens, communities and the Canadian Crown,” said Federko.
Dr. Rubidge said he was caught by complete surprise.
“You got me absolutely stone cold dead,” he told the gathering in the cavernous main hall he helped establish. “When I saw the RCMP officer, I thought, ‘oh, oh, a parking ticket.’”
While admitting he was “at a loss for words,” Rubidge said his decade leading the college was “actually really easy” because of the talents of those he works with.
He also credited the COTR board of directors for helping make the college a success.
“There are a lot of very dedicated people” on the college board, he said.
“I really appreciate this embarrassment,” he concluded to laughter.
Above image: Dr. Nick Rubidge accepts Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from Member of Parliament, David Wilks.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
