(Top row, l to r) Dr. Verna Billy-Minnabarriet and Jorge Campos (Bottom row, l to r) Bev Sellars and Christopher Weddell (Image Credit: TRU)

By Aaron Schulze

Thompson Rivers University

Former soccer player, numerous educators among TRU honorary degree recipients

May 15, 2023 | 12:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University (TRU) announced its four honorary doctorate recipients for this year’s spring convocation.

In a news release issued Monday (May 15), TRU announced Dr. Verna Billy-Minnabarriet, Jorge Campos, Bev Sellars and Christopher Weddell will be conferred with Honorary Doctorates of Letters.

Billy-Minnabarriet of the St’uxwtews First Nation is a passionate educator who championed Indigenous education, decolonization and economic development in her 35-year career with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and other provincial, national and international associations and boards.

Campos is a former professional footballer (soccer player) from Mexico who has dedicated his post-sports career to helping those in need, working with several organizations and creating his own foundation to support disadvantaged youth. With TRU World, he established the Jorge Campos Award that gives two outstanding Mexican youths full tuition for a year of study at TRU.

Sellars of the Xatśūll (formerly Soda Creek) First Nation is an Indigenous lawyer, author, activist and former chief and councillor of the Xatśūll. Sellars served as an advisor for the BC Treaty Commission and as a representative for the Secwépemc communities on the Cariboo Chilcotin Justice Inquiry.

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Weddell served as an actor, director, dramaturge, playwright, producer and even owner of theatre companies during his 47-year theatre career. He also enhanced the learning and lives of hundreds of students, including graduates of TRU’s Theatre Arts program.

The degrees will be conferred during TRU’s spring convocation from June 7 to 9, 2023.