The Okanagan College Alumni Association is bestowing its highest honour on Shuswap MLA Geroge Abbott, a former Okanagan College student.
Abbott has used his education and dedication to public service to help shape the political landscape of the province, says a press release from the association.
Abbott, also Minister of Education, will receive the OCAA’s Distinguished Alumni award in recognition of his commitment to education and public service.
Abbott has a long history with Okanagan College, first as a student during 1971 where he took general studies, then later as a professor of political science at the Salmon Arm campus in 1989.
After initiating his studies at Okanagan College, Abbott went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from the University of British Columbia and then a master of arts in political science from the University of Victoria.
He was appointed Minister of Education in 2010. Previous ministerial responsibilities include Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Health, Minister of Community, and Minister of Aboriginal and Women’s Services.
He was first elected as a B.C. Liberal MLA in 1996, where he represented the riding of the Shuswap. He was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and again in 2009.
The award will be presented Oct. 6.