Two women, including one from Prince George, have been selected by their peers as the valedictorians of a unique graduating class at UNBC.
The 2020 convocation ceremonies will be virtual due to COVID-19, making this year’s task an interesting one for Katie Timms and Danika Serafin.
Both will be giving their speeches during separate online presentations; Timms will speak on behalf of the College of Science and Management (CSAM) graduating class, while Serafin will deliver hers for the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences.
Timms grew up in the northern capital and wanted to stay close to home after finishing high school.
She is receiving a Bachelor's degree in Science with a double major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (honours) and Biology, and plans to move on to UNBC’s graduate program for a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies this fall.
“I’m happy that my experience at UNBC has been well-rounded enough that I can represent the CSAM graduating class and I hope to remind everyone of all their hard work and what they have accomplished,” she said in a news release, adding she’d like to ultimately earn a PhD or a degree in scientific illustration.
Timms tells UNBC she’s honoured and ecstatic to be representing her fellow graduates after serving with them outside the classroom with many groups like the Prince George Public Interest Research Group (PGPIRG), David Douglas Botanical Garden Society and as a judge for the Central Interior Science Exhibition.
In 2018-19, she was also one of the first members of the UNBC Research Ambassadors, which was partially influenced by her time with Dr. Sean Maurice, senior lab instructor and UBC Northern Medical Program assistant director of histology affiliate senior instructor, and Dr. Lisa Wood, assistant professor biology, ecosystem science and management, forest ecology and management.
“They have taught me so much about what it means to be a researcher and scientist, and I’m so grateful for it,” she says, explaining those key relationships with faculty and peers will be the most memorable about her time at UNBC.
“My mentors, particularly Dr. Maurice, helped me grow so much and gave me invaluable skills and confidence,” said Timms.
“I will remember the friendships I made with my peers and all the emotional support and wonderful memories they’ve given me.”
Serafin grew up in Fort St. John and Vernon, but has called Prince George home for almost five years and will be staying in the city to work at University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) upon receiving her Bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse.
“UNBC may have been the initial reason I moved to Prince George but the community has easily convinced me to stay,” she said.
“Prince George is inspiring… it is the definition of people helping people. [...] No one will go without if they call upon the community for help. I have never felt so comfortable in a city before. Even when I first moved here I felt supported and welcomed by all community members.”
While taking full and busy semesters, some that included five classes each, Serafin also took time to volunteer in the city at the Healthier You Expo, Adventures in Healthcare and School District 57 (SD57) Health Science Day.
She says she’s learned that working in the north can provide opportunities to take on leadership and teamwork roles in and out of the classroom, a trait she echoed when she was named a 2020 valedictorian.
“I am so honoured to have been selected to speak on behalf of my fellow students. I hope that I can articulate the dedication, resilience and tenacity that our 2020 graduates displayed this year.”
Serafin is a recipient of the Dean’s Leadership Award and the UNBC Community Leadership Award, and plans to taking more training to eventually advance into UHNBC’s Intensive Care Unit.
Both Timms and Serafin are scheduled to speak on Friday, June 26.
Serafin at 9:30 a.m. and Timms at 2:30 p.m.
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