![UBC Chancellor Phyllis Ross presenting degree to soldier at congregation/UBC Archives [UBC 1.1/3791]](https://music.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2025/07/1.0029806.jpg)
UBC Chancellor Phyllis Ross presenting degree to soldier at congregation /UBC Archives [UBC 1.1/3791]
UBC Opera Ensemble
Jonathan Girard conductor
Nancy Hermiston director
Keith Smith set design
Jeremy Baxter lighting design
October 15, 2025
7:00pm, Old Audtiorium
We honour the Great Trek – past and present! The UBC Opera Ensemble, Historians of UBC and Members of the Veterans Transition Program present an evening of music, stories and film from 1925 to 2025.
On this second night of celebration, we pay tribute to some of the first and most influential students of UBC – these were the 197 WWI soldiers and veterans who enrolled as students at UBC. They formed the Returned Soldier’s Club and together with Alumni, Faculty, Senate, Board of Governors and President Klinck made an appeal to the Dominion Government for financial aid so these returned soldiers could pursue their university studies. In the session 1944/1945, the registration was 3,058, of whom 150 were ex-service personnel. In 1945/1946, registration almost doubled with 2,254 veterans in a total student body of 5,621. Twenty-five years ago, Doctor Marv Westwood created the Veterans Transition Program here at the UBC Faculty of Education and again the number of veterans on our campus today began to increase. This program has transformed the lives of thousands of veterans not only here in BC and Canada but in the United States, England and Germany. We pay tribute to all of these veterans past and present.
They all helped to shape the future of UBC and our society then and now. We honour our Armed Forces who defend and protect us in this troubled world today at home and abroad. We applaud all those involved in the Veterans Transition Program who enable our veterans to return to a meaningful and productive civilian life.
Top photo: Old Aud (circa 1925) | Bottom photo: Old Aud (circa 2010) Brian Hawkes
Tickets range from $20–$35 ea. Bundle both events together to save!
Bundle deal
Purchase both this event and the 100 Years of the Old Auditorium on Oct 14 event to save:
For both events:
Adult: $60
Senior (65+): $50
Students: $30
