Barry Janzen Memorial Scholarship

Barry was a life long outdoor enthusiast – he loved fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and many other outdoor activities. He loved teaching and particularly enjoyed passing on knowledge, watching the students learn, and being supportive of students and staff. He had a great sense of humor that led to many great stories with staff and students.

Upon completion of Grade 12 in Kelowna, BC, Barry enrolled in the Selkirk College Forestry Program and received his Forest Technician Technical Diploma in 1977. He worked throughout BC with the Ministry of Forests in many capacities, until in 1983 he was offered the position of Lab Assistant in the Selkirk College Forestry Program. He loved this position and interacting with the students – along with other duties he enjoyed teaching the “Plant Identification” section.

Barry had always dreamed of owning a Christmas Tree Farm – he accomplished this in 1993 when he and his family planted 1500 trees on their acreage in Shoreacres. Many hours of pruning and mowing resulted in beautiful Christmas trees that were sold over the next 10 years.

In 1991, he decided to return to University to earn his Bachelor Degree in Forestry so that he could become an instructor. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1993 with his degree in Forestry and went on to earn his RPF designation. Upon his return to Selkirk, he became a full-time instructor and taught Forest Health, Integrated Resource Management, Indigenous Education along with other courses. He was always a part of the annual 2nd year Field Trip to the coast. He spent the next 20 years until his retirement in 2012 sharing his passion for the forests and outdoors with his students. In his retirement, he was able to enjoy the outdoor life to the fullest with his wife, daughters and grandchildren. Barry passed away unexpectedly in April 2024.