By Gail McKay, Assistant Professor, TRU

A celebration of many firsts occurred on the traditional territory of the Shuswap Nation in Kamloops on September 6, 2011: in an awe-inspiring lecture theatre constructed, as National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo notes, of pine beetle kill wood, and under renowned sculptor John McEwan’s giant coyote rooftop sculpture made of bent and rolled steel stars, esteemed members of Canada’s legal community offered greetings to the students of Canada’s first new law school in 33 years.

 
Ex nihilo: building something out of nothing. In just two years, out of the hands of just two persons, Founding Dean of Law Chris Axworthy, QC and Founding Administrator (now Assistant Dean of Law) Anne Pappas, the new law school materialized. As The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, PC, Chief Justice of Canada explains in her letter of welcome, “TRU Law has a special mission as the only Canadian law faculty not located in a major urban centre. By bringing legal education to a broader community, Thompson Rivers University will make an important contribution to tackling the access to justice problem.” A firm believer in the coexistence of equality of opportunity and excellence, Governor General of Canada David Johnston wrote, “We are duty bound to improve justice and continuously create the good.”

In his inaugural welcome to students, Dean Axworthy said, “You were chosen because you hold great promise, and this profession upon which you are embarking is a noble and caring one.” “You have begun,” said The Honourable Lance S.G. Finch, Chief Justice of B.C., “an adventure, a life-altering opportunity.” “You are the face of the new law school,” said The Honourable Thomas J. Crabtree, Chief Judge, Provincial Court of B.C., “and forever you will be known as the first graduating class – an honour you will carry the rest of your career.” 

High above these proceedings, positioned in a loping stride toward the rising sun, McEwan’s coyote captures and signals TRU Law’s energy and imagination – its vision of equality of opportunity and excellence.

 
Law Grand Opening—Ribbon Cutting 18 Dignitaries cut the ribbon to officially open the TRU Faculty of Law, Canada’s newest law school in more than 33 years. The ceremony was held Sept. 6 in the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Centre, located in The Brown Family House of Learning. (Right photo) General Scene—Law Grand Opening A scene from the TRU Faculty of Law grand opening. The ceiling is made of timber killed by the mountain pine beetle.

TRU Old Main Expansion and Modernization A design inspired by the region’s most prominent landmarks has been selected for the new home of the Faculty of Law. The expansion will add 40,000 square feet of learning, library and student spaces and will create two additional stories on TRU’s Old Main building. Modelling Kamloops landmarks Mt. Peter and Paul, the roof undulates and curves, evoking the area landscape, yet confidently embracing TRU’s campus plan and firmly marks the University’s place in the province.

This article was published in the November 2011 issue of BarTalk. © 2011 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.