On March 26, the School of Social Work marked an exciting moment in its history with a formal re-opening of our building.
The Jack Bell Building renewal was a full transformation including structural upgrades, new building systems, refreshed finishes, new landscaping, and reconfigured spaces designed for contemporary teaching and research. The project has achieved Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard certification and is awaiting final reviews for LEED Gold Certification.
After this major two-year renovation, it was wonderful to gather with faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider UBC community to mark this exciting new chapter for the School’s home on campus. The afternoon began with a welcome from Musqueam Councillor Alec Guerin, recognizing the School’s place on these traditional and unceded lands of the Musqueam people.
President Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon spoke, appreciating the history of the School and its contributions to UBC including through our newly developed Mental Health and Substance Use certificate course. Dr. Richard Vedan, Professor Emeritus and Chair of the School’s Indigenous Advisory Circle also spoke and very graciously read the words of Lou-ann Neel, the pole carver’s granddaughter, who was unable to attend. The afternoon closed with thoughtful remarks from our PhD student speaker Hali McLennan, who also completed her MSW and BSW with us.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the celebration such a meaningful and memorable occasion.
