Celebrating 10 years of the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre—and UBC Vancouver’s incredible changes
Since 2015, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre has served as a hub of connection, celebration, and inspiration. Think of it as your friendly “front door” to all that UBC has to offer!
Opened on September 30, 2015, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre has become an essential part of UBC’s Vancouver campus. An architecturally stunning structure which has received numerous accolades, it might be tempting to think of the alumni centre as simply an eye-catching building—but it is so much more than that.
Built for and with the support of UBC alumni and friends, the centre reflects the enduring bond between UBC and its graduates. It stands, quite literally, as a testament to all that is possible when alumni partner with their alma mater to create a thriving university, community, and world.
As we mark the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre’s 10th anniversary, we’re celebrating not only the space itself, but also the community and innovation it has fostered—and the future it’s helping to shape. Learn about the people who made this building possible, some of its beloved features, and why now is a great time to revisit campus!
The power of generosity: Bob Lee and the Alumni Centre’s founding donors
Named in honour of Robert H. Lee (CM, OBC, BCom’56, LLD’96)—an esteemed philanthropist, visionary, and community leader—the alumni centre commemorates the life and legacy of a man affectionately known as “Mr. UBC.” One of our most dedicated alumni, Bob Lee’s influence is woven deeply into the fabric of the university, where he devoted countless hours of service, including serving on the Board of Governors, as chancellor, and as founding chair of UBC Properties Trust. Bob sadly passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on in the alumni centre and in many other places and spaces on campus.
The centre’s 10th anniversary is also an opportunity to recognize the founding donors who made this building possible—extraordinary individuals who, like Bob, recognized the value of a dedicated space for UBC graduates. Because of these donors’ generous support, the alumni centre not only serves as a lifelong home for alumni, but also a lively community hub, a venue for unforgettable events and celebrations, and a mentorship space that enables innovative ideas to take flight.
UBC’s friendly front door
The alumni centre is also, in effect, UBC’s “friendly front door,” a welcoming entry point to all that campus has to offer. If you’re thinking about visiting campus after some years—maybe even decades—away, make 6163 University Boulevard your first stop.
You’ll be in good company: since 2015, the Wong-Trainor Welcome Centre inside the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre has greeted more than 90,000 visitors! Its friendly team of student ambassadors is here to welcome you and to remind you of UBC’s motto: Tuum est! No matter how long you’ve been away, this campus is here for you and yours.
Where connections come to life
Without a doubt, one of the most beloved features of the centre is the interactive alumni wall, where visitors can search for the profiles of the UBC grads in their lives. With over 720,000 views and 180,000+ alumni searches to date, the wall has sparked moments of joy and reflection for countless visitors.
One such moment came on the graduation day of UBC alum Carmen Watson (BA’19). As a student ambassador, she had seen many others light up at finding themselves or a loved one on the wall. That day, she found both her own and her father’s profiles—and couldn’t resist capturing a photo of their shared legacy.
Just steps from the wall, Loafe Café offers another kind of irresistible pleasure: conversations over coffee. Since 2015, Loafe has served 1.25 million customers and poured more than 900,000 cups of coffee—making it one of the most popular hangout spots on campus for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike.
Where meaningful moments are made
Over the past decade, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre has been the venue of choice for an incredible range of events—from major conferences and galas to art shows, class reunions, mentorship nights, and career fairs. It’s also the site of one of UBC’s most joyful traditions—the graduation afterparty, where thousands of new alumni toast to their future surrounded by stories of those who came before.
And then there are the deeply personal milestones. Alumni and non-alumni alike have tied the knot here, making the centre part of their love story. From engagements and weddings to birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and celebrations of life, the alumni centre has held space for life’s most meaningful moments.
Part of a dynamic and ever-evolving campus
Like the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, UBC has witnessed incredible growth and activity over the past decade. Case in point: more than three dozen new buildings and art installations have sprung up on the Vancouver campus since 2015! Explore these new additions in the map below.
Orange = outdoor art
Light blue = buildings open to the public
Dark blue = private buildings including student, faculty, and staff housing
Ten years on, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre continues to be an essential part of what makes UBC so special. Plan your visit to the alumni centre today and see the incredible changes on campus firsthand—we’re excited to welcome you back!
