College honours former MLA, philanthropist and First Nations leader

May 14, 2019 | 12:32 PM

Okanagan College is bestowing its highest honour on three Okanagan residents, for their contributions through public service, mentorship and philanthropy.

Tom Christensen, Robert Louie and George Galbraith will be named Honorary Fellows of the College during Convocation ceremonies in Kelowna and Vernon next month.

Christensen is a lawyer, and the former Liberal MLA and cabinet minister from Vernon (2001-2009), who is also known for his volunteering, serving on numerous boards and societies.

“I am humbled to be recognized as an Honorary Fellow of Okanagan College,” says Christensen. “I am a big fan of our College, the leading work it is doing in the post-secondary education sector in our province, and the services it provides to residents throughout our region.”

Louie was chief of the Westbank First Nation for 24 years, who has also served on numerous boards, companies and special appointments with government and private industry for more than 30 years.

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Louie’s connection to the College dates back to 1975 when he graduated from the Business Administration program prior to completing a law degree at the University of Victoria, and later when he was presented with the College’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006.

Today, Louie is the owner/proprietor of Indigenous World Winery, Indigenous World Spirits and Kelowna West Manufactured Home Park.

“I feel honored, blessed, humbled and am beaming with enthusiasm to be recognized as an Honorary Fellow with Okanagan College,” says Louie. “The past recipients are individuals of such high distinction and are deserving of the recognition. To be recognized amongst them is a wonderful and humbling experience.”

Galbraith, known for his philanthropy and civic spirit, is a business leader and stalwart supporter of many projects close to his heart in the Okanagan, including the Okanagan Rails to Trails Campaign, Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and North Okanagan Community Foundation. He is also a supporter of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon Community Music School and The Nature Trust of British Columbia.

Galbraith has worn many hats at Okanagan College – first as an instructor at the Vernon campus in 1973, then on the College’s Board of Directors for six years. In 2017, Galbraith donated $250,000 towards the Okanagan College Foundation’s Bright Horizons – Building for Skills campaign for the new Trades Training Centre at the Vernon campus. He also funds two scholarships at the College: H.W Galbraith Memorial Award and the Kieran Galbraith Memorial Award. He sees these gifts as an act of gratitude for the benefits he received raising a family and building a livelihood in the Okanagan.

Galbraith built and operated Vercom Cable Services Ltd., Vernon’s cable system, until he sold the company in 1991 to Shaw Cable, where he continued to sit on the Board of Directors for 26 years.

Louie will address graduates at the morning ceremony on Saturday, June 1 in Kelowna. Christensen will speak at the ceremony in Vernon on Tuesday, June 25, and Galbraith will deliver his address in an evening ceremony on Thursday, June 27.

“The accomplishments of this year’s Honorary Fellows are hard to summarize,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “Their contributions have had a lasting impact on so many individuals and communities. It is a great privilege to welcome them to the Okanagan College family.”

by Beach Radio