UNB grads making a significant difference in New Brunswick politics

July 4, 2003 - July 4, 2003 - Seventeen members of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, elected June 9, are graduates of the University of New Brunswick - including the premier, the leader of the opposition and two cabinet ministers.

"It is very exciting to see so many of our alumni contributing to the province in this way," said John D. MacLaughlin, president and vice-chancellor of UNB. "Since its inception in 1785, UNB has played a fundamental role in the economic, social and cultural well-being of New Brunswick - and our alumni MLAs will continue this tradition."

An honorary graduate of UNB, Premier Bernard Lord was awarded a doctor of laws in 2001. The leader of the opposition, Shawn Graham, BPE '91, is the MLA for Kent.

The UNB alumni appointed to cabinet are: Brad Green, BA '87, LLB '90, (PC), MLA for Fredericton South, minister of justice, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs and house leader; and Tony Huntjens, BT '70, B.Ed. '78, (PC), MLA for Western Charlotte, minister of family and community services and minister responsible for the advisory council on seniors.

Also sitting as MLAs are:
Thomas J. Burke, BA '98, (L), representing Fredericton North;
Jody Carr, BBA '98, (PC), Oromocto-Gagetown;
Bev Harrison, BA '64, B.Ed. '66, (PC), Hampton-Belleisle;
Trevor Arthur Holder, BA '95, (PC), Saint John Portland;
Larry Kennedy, B.Sc. '72, (L), Victoria-Tobique;
Kelly Lamrock, LLB '97, (L), Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak;
Kirk MacDonald, BBA '97, (PC), Mactaquac;
Eugene McGinley, BA '57, MA '58, BCL '62, (L), Grand Lake;
Mike Murphy, BBA '80, LLB '83, (L), Moncton North;
Bernard Richard, LLB '78, (L), Shediac-Cap-Pelé;
Milt Sherwood, BBA '63, (PC), Grand Bay-Westfield;
Wally Stiles, BBA '73, (PC), Petitcodiac; and
Scott Targett, BBA '84, B.Ed. '87, (L), York.

"UNB congratulates each and every one of you for the commitment you've made to the people of New Brunswick," said Dr. McLaughlin. "We look forward to working with you to make New Brunswick a better place to live and work."

A leading national university, UNB is one of the oldest public universities in North America. It enrols over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year on its campuses in Fredericton and Saint John and many more on satellite campuses in Bathurst, Moncton, Beijing, Cairo, and Trinidad.