Connect with UNB
During the early 1990's a few people on the Fredericton Campus saw the need for an organization to link together the few hundred UNB retirees that were living in New Brunswick, across Canada and other parts of the world.
Frank Dunn of the UNB development office wrote to all retirees informing them of a meeting in mid August of 1993. Retirees were invited to attend and express their interest in forming a new retiree group. The overwhelming majority of those present were in favour of taking this step. An organizational committee was appointed at the meeting. This committee reported to an open meeting during September of 1993.
Subsequent to the recommendations of the organizing committee a Constitution & Bylaws, prepared by the committee, was approved. The organizing committee also nominated a slate of officers, who were elected as UNBREA’s First Executive.
Founding president Orville Scott served two terms in office during the organizational years. Vice President Ken Brown was then elected president. Unfortunately his health declined and Dr. Brown passed away before completing his terms as president. Brian Ingram was UNBREA’s third president. Brian moved to Toronto before completing his second term as president. Art VanSlyke completed Mr. Ingram’s term and was elected association president.
Val Gilbey succeeded Art as the UNBREA president. Jim O'Sullivan followed Val and served in this position for three years, Sheila Laidlaw then served two years as president. Graham Powell retired from the president's position after one year because of health concerns prior to the 2010 AGM. Sheila Laidlaw was acting president for the summer months until VP David Wiezel was in a position to take on the role of President.
David Wiezel served as President until the 2012 AGM when Wolfgang Faig was elected to the position of President. David Macneil was elected President at the 2014 AGM.
Over the years the UNBREA has had a variety of speakers present many interesting topics. Speakers have included the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, the NB Minister of Health and a number of health professionals, Presidents of UNB, as well as several speakers on new developments at the University.
In addition to general meetings and annual social events, the association has organized information sessions on a wide range of topics and conducted a few field trips.
UNBREA was one of the founding members of CURAC – the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada, which links university and college retirees from coast to coast.