UNB News
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The University of New Brunswick’s associate vice-president of capital planning and property development, Barbara Nicholson, recently earned national recognition for her outstanding achievements and service to the community and architecture profession when she was named a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. During her career, Ms. Nicholson has mentored students and encouraged many to follow architecture as a rewarding vocation. She has been a tireless advocate for architecture and the profession and has served on AANB Council as treasurer for five years. She has been a long supporter for sustainable design in New Brunswick. "Barb has focused heavily on energy conservation, which has paid off for the university in many ways" said UNB President Eddy Campbell. "This has significantly reduced energy costs and CO2 emissions while improving operational efficiencies and creating a more comfortable work and learning environment for staff, faculty and students." Ms. Nicholson was the first female registered member of the Architects’ Association of New Brunswick and in March 2005, she was the first recipient of the Herménégilde Chiasson Award for Exemplary Service and Advocacy of the Profession. In 2008, she was co-chair of the AANB Educational Committee for the RAIC Festival of Architecture. Above all her accomplishments, Dr. Campbell says she’s a great person to work with. “I sit on committees with Barb and I see first hand her leadership and the passion she has for her work. She’s very well respected here at UNB and beyond. We’re fortunate to have her work with us.” Her commitment to sustainable design has been exemplified during her time at UNB. Under Ms. Nicholson’s leadership, UNB has seen the construction of the Hans W. Klohn Commons and The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, just to name a couple. The Commons is the only university building in New Brunswick with any level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, which is an industry building rating system recognized as the international mark of excellence for green buildings in over 132 countries. The building has gold certification and is a gathering place for students on UNB Saint John campus, offering the latest technology, writing and library services as well as high-quality learning and research facilities. The Currie Center was also built using green guidelines as the standard for design and construction. The $62.5-million centre is a world-class fitness and wellness facility that includes a human performance laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, a 161-metre indoor track, a sport medicine clinic and a lifestyle and fitness assessment centre. In addition to housing a team of researchers and partners who focus on fitness and lifestyle assessment, it also serves as the headquarters for UNB’s Varsity Reds basketball and volleyball teams. Ms. Nicholson would say her family is her greatest accomplishment, she and her husband, Dan, have three children and have the mutual objective to instill in them a strong sense of community and a passion for pursuing their dreams. They live in Keswick Ridge, N.B., and enjoy spending their spare time with their horses.