[Bcma-l] Media Release: TRU to confer Honorary Degree upon Kamloops Art Gallery's Jann Bailey and others

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

For immediate release: May 13, 2008

TRU to confer Honorary Degrees upon four Canadian achievers 

 
KAMLOOPS - One of the nation's preeminent art gallery directors/curator and
a world renowned researcher known affectionately as the 'Rat Whisperer' are
among four individuals to be recognized with honorary degrees from Thompson
Rivers University this year 

Jann L.M Bailey, executive director of the Kamloops Art Gallery, and Dr. Ian
Whislaw, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neurosciences at
the University of Lethbridge will be honored by TRU at Convocation
ceremonies in June. They will be joined by Dr. Bryan Kolb, the other
co-founder of the Centre for Behavioural Sciences, and concrete sound poet
bill bissett. 

"Again this year Thompson Rivers University will recognize and honor four
outstanding Canadians who have demonstrated that world class Art and Science
can be achieved in the heartlands of Canada," said Dr. Roger Barnsley, TRU
President and Vice Chancellor. 

Jann L.M. Bailey, well known and respected both locally and nationally as
the executive director of the Kamloops Art Gallery, has led the efforts to
raise the gallery's stature from a small regional gallery tucked in the
basement of the museum, into one of BC's principal art galleries. 

Dr. Bryan Kolb is recognized as one of the world's leading neuroscientists
and often called a founding father of behavioural neuroscience. Among his
many discoveries and achievements, Dr. Kolb was the first to show how the
growth of new brain cells can restore psychological and behavioural
functions. He and his team have discovered humans have the power to grow new
brain cells. His research has spurred new treatments to help victims of
stroke, those living with Alzheimer's disease, or afflicted by drug abuse or
head injuries. 

 Dr. Ian Whishaw a co-founder of the Centre for Behavioural Studies with Dr.
Kolb. Whishaw's research is directed toward helping the approximately 60,000
Canadians suffering some form of brain damage each year. A major effect of
brain damage often is the complete or partial loss of the skilled use of a
limb. In developing an animal model of skilled limb use, Dr. Whishaw has
gained a reputation as a Rat Whisperer. 

 bill bissett is a pioneer of sound poetry in Canada. In the face of
controversy, poverty and severe injury, he has never veered from his course
to use anti-conventional prose style to raise awareness about the human
condition or social and environmental issues.  His works often incorporates
humour, a sense of wonder, lyrical and ample political commentary. 

 TRU will award these honorary degrees at four separate convocation
ceremonies scheduled for the mornings and afternoons of June 5 and 6 on the
university campus in Kamloops. 

 -30- 

For more information please contact, 
Dr. Roger Barnsley 
President and Vice Chancellor 
Thompson Rivers University 
250-828-5001


James Gordon
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Kamloops Art Gallery
101-465 Victoria Street
Kamloops, BC   V2C 2A9
T (250) 377-2403
F (250) 828-0662
W  www.kag.bc.ca