Acknowledging the Irving K. Barber Legacy

In 2004, in support of UBC’s vision, Dr. Irving K. Barber donated $10 million to establish the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at UBC’s Okanagan campus, with the goal to create an outstanding learning environment that prepares students to become better citizens of the world; citizens that foster a civil and sustainable society.

UBCO has grown considerably since its creation in 2004, with student enrolment nearly tripling from 3,500 in its first year of operation to over 10,000 today. In that time, IKBSAS too has grown to become the largest Faculty at UBC Okanagan, but its commitment to the shared vision has remained true.

With that growth and success came an opportunity for innovation and excellence in the sciences, arts and social sciences at UBCO. The creation of two new Faculties will not only bolster this campus’ commitment to learning and research. They will also expand upon Dr. Barber’s contribution to our community with each new Faculty continuing to bear his name and continuing to subscribe to the original founding principles. The Irving K. Barber Endowment, for its part, will retain the same exceptional stewardship and it will continue to support excellence in teaching and research for both new Faculties.