University of the Fraser Valley

UFV 2015 year in review: new Chancellor, new SUB, continued commitment to excellence

UFV 2015 year in review: new Chancellor, new SUB, continued commitment to excellence

Blog - SUB opening day

UFV is a leader in the social, cultural, and economic development of the Fraser Valley and beyond. Here are a few highlights from 2015 (photos):

  • Dr. Gwen Point was installed as Chancellor, replacing founding Chancellor Brian Minter
  • Approximately 2,550 credentials (bachelor’s and master’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates) were awarded at four Convocation ceremonies, one of which featured an on-stage marriage proposal
  • A new Student Union Building was opened in cooperation with the UFV Student Union Society
  • UFV was named one of BC’s Top Employers
  • Dr. Alan Cameron of Modern Languages, was recognized as UFV’s first 40-year employee
  • Honorary doctorates conferred on Shirzad Ahmed, Ginny Dennehy, Dr. Catherine Hickson, and Margo Kane
  • Top academic student medals were achieved by Shelley Cole, Sukhvinder Mangat, Heather Bakker, and Natalie Ng
  • Teaching and research excellence award recipients were Jan Lashbrook Green (Library and Information Technology) and Dr. Lenore Newman (Geography and the Environment); UFV also highlighted research activities via Student Research Day and the Research Awards night
  • Leaders in our communities were celebrated by giving the Betty Urquhart award to the Crystal Gala Foundation of Abbotsford
  • The national collegiate golf championships were hosted by UFV, with the men’s team winning bronze
  • The men’s basketball and men’s soccer teams won Canada West bronze, and the women’s soccer team held down a CIS Top 10 ranking for ten weeks
  • Basketball star Sarah Wierks was named one of eight Academic All Canadians. She was also a Canada West first team all-star, and CIS All Canadian (second team)
  • Athlete Jasper Moedt was recognized for both his basketball skills and his community leadership in the area of mental health
  • The inaugural Town and Gown fundraising dinner was held, raising more than $40,000 for student scholarships, along with our inaugural Alumni Golf Tournament
  • Dr. Mike Hildebrand was named the Distinguished Alumni award recipient and Alex Reimer was the Distinguished Young Alumni for 2015
  • Fashion alumna Adelle Renaud designed scarves and suits for Canada’s national women’s soccer team
  • Father/daughter duo Reid and Angi Peters took courses together with the goal of becoming leaders in the aboriginal community
  • Child and Youth Care students organized a community forum on youth aging out of foster care
  • The Arab Students Club lead a community effort to support Syrian refugees
  • Sports psychologist Roger Friesen served as a consultant with the Canadian national cycling team at the Pan Am Games
  • Dr. Olav Lian was recognized in the scientific journal Nature for his work on the geological and biological history of Haida Gwaii
  • Dr. Garry Fehr was named Director of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence and Dr. Steven Schroeder became the Peace and Conflict Studies Teaching Chair
  • Connections with Chinese partner universities were expanded and deepened
  • Students participated on internships, co-op placements, and practicums throughout B.C. and Canada
  • UFV planned for the next 10 years with the UFV 2025 visioning process
  • Planning with the City of Abbotsford continued on a vibrant University District for the Abbotsford campus
  • Girls Fly Too, the Makerspace program, Skills Canada competition, Trades Open House, Think Fun philosophy camps, Science Rocks camps, and athletic camps were held as academic outreach and involvement with the community continue
  • We connected with our communities through lecture series, special forums on topical issues, author readings, art exhibitions, a fashion show, all candidates’ debates, faculty micro-lectures, conferences, theatre productions, writer-in-residence activities, guest speakers, alumni panels, a job fair, and Cascade athletics events.