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Plenty on tap to celebrate 50 years of learning at Thompson Rivers University

Make sure to leave lots of dates open on your 2020 calendar because Thompson Rivers University (TRU) has a year-long list of events to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Gifts of Learning opportunities kick off the milestone celebrations for the Kamloops-based university, which got its start with 367 full-time and 200 part-time students as Cariboo College in 1970, and has grown to 30,000-plus enrolled in on-campus and online programs.

The gifts offer free, public access to a range of educational events from January to December in and around the community showcasing the breadth of learning opportunities at TRU.

Hosted by staff and faculty, they include subjects such as seminars on environmental science and the sure-to-be popular Tap Into Research mini lectures on a variety of topics held in relaxed tasting rooms inside a revolving list of the city’s numerous craft breweries.

“Our TRU researchers put on hour-long lectures, pop-up seminars and workshops which are designed to give back to the community,” says Kelly de Chantal, TRU’s

events co-ordinator.

Attending the events is a good way to get a taste of what TRU has to offer.

“We want to showcase what our researchers, faculty, and even some of our students, are up to,” de Chantal says. “It’s a great way of transferring knowledge from our academic institution to the community.”

It’s also a social way of reaching out to TRU alumni, former staff, retirees and anyone who has an interest in the university.

Some Tap Into Research events require prior registration. For a full list of dates, topics and venues, visit the website. That’s also where you can view information on all the other 50th anniversary events, such as the marquee Homecoming celebration Sept. 11-13.

“We’d really like people to save that date,” de Chantal says. “We are going to start things off with the Distinguished Alumni Awards on the Friday evening (Sept. 11) after the back-to-school barbecue. Then on the Saturday, we have our fall open house, as well as hosting a number of Gifts of Learning opportunities on campus that will showcase each faculty.”

A number of class reunion events will also be held, along with food trucks and live music in the evening.

And on the Sunday, Wolfpack athletics events will bring the energy including an outdoor, three-on-three basketball tournament and a Wolfpack soccer game at Hillside Stadium.

For more information, visit tru.ca/tru50.



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