Events Archive
UFV student’s Pink Shirt Day design says we all ‘otter’
Kindness and acceptance. Sometimes it seems these themes of Pink Shirt Day are lacking in our society. So when UFV Visual Arts student Chantelle Trainor-Matties designed her vision of a pink shirt for the anti-bullying effort, she looked to animals for her own inspiration. Pink Shirt Day is coming up on Wed, February 27, and…Pull out your woollies for UFV Sweater Week 2019
Feeling that February chill? Well, it’s time to layer up, UFV. To help raise awareness about climate change everyone is invited to wear sweaters on campus next week, Feb. 11–15, for UFV’s third annual Sweater Week. In most spaces throughout the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses temperatures will be reduced two degrees to lower carbon…Canadian soccer star Sophie Schmidt to visit UFV Feb 8
One of Abbotsford’s star citizens will visit the University of the Fraser Valley on February 8 to share her experiences from the world of women’s soccer. UFV recognized Sophie Schmidt with an honorary doctorate at its Convocation ceremonies last June, but commitments with the Canadian women’s national soccer team prevented her from accepting it in…Salton Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge opens to the public
UFV's connection to the Abbotsford community received a big boost last week with the opening of the Salton pedestrian/cycling bridge. The bridge will help to improve mobility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists traveling to and from the UDistrict and also aligns with the City of Abbotsford's strategic goal to enhance multi-modal transportation systems to…Getting to know writer-in-residence Robert Wiersema
Robert Wiersema will be joining UFV as new writer-in-residence for the winter semester. Wiersema is the bestselling author of Before I Wake, Bedtime Story, and four other books. One of Canada's foremost book reviewers, his reviews appear regularly in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Quill & Quire and other magazines, and his Beyond…Linguist Strang Burton to speak on revitalizing Halq’eméylem at UFV
At its Convocation ceremonies last June, the University of the Fraser Valley conferred an honorary degree on Siyamiyateliyot Elizabeth Phillips, the last surviving fluent speaker of Upriver Halq’eméylem, the language of the Stó:lō people. Professional linguists have played a vital role in assisting community members and Elders such as Siyamiyateliyot in helping the Stó:lō to…President and Chancellor visit UFV India in Chandigarh
UFV President Joanne MacLean and Chancellor Andy Sidhu touched down in Chandigarh in early November for their first visit to UFV India. Along with their partners Maureen Murphy and Pritam Sidhu, the president and chancellor had a jam-packed agenda for their week-long visit. While in India they visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, toured UFV…BC Lion Manny Arceneaux to visit UFV Nov 8
UFV Kinesiology professor Roger Friesen has been working with the BC Lions football team as a sport psychologist this season. And he's bringing one of them to the Chilliwack campus atrium to speak to his class and the public on Thurs, Nov 8. Wide receiver Manny Arecenaux will speak to UFV kinesiology students and others…Several UFV connections in 2018 municipal election results
As the votes were being counted in municipal elections throughout the Fraser Valley Oct 20, there were more than a few candidates with UFV connections holding their breath waiting for results. Congratulations to the following successful candidates with UFV connections: Abbotsford UFV alumna Kelly Chahal (named one of UFV’s Top 40 Alumni) was re-elected as…Esposito family donates $1.125 million to UFV to support scholarships,
The Esposito family of Abbotsford knows a thing or two about the entrepreneurial spirit. About starting something from scratch, and seeing it succeed. About facing adversity, and starting all over again. And about helping people to reach their potential and pursue their dreams. That’s why, when Paul Sr. and his sons Paul Jr. and Frank…Three peace-focused events at UFV this October
Interested in global politics and peace initiatives? Then you might want to check out three public events at the University of the Fraser Valley in October. Dr. Jimmy Juma will be speaking on Social Justice in a Time of War: Engaging the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, Oct 4, at 5:30 pm in room…UFV seeking nominations for Betty Urquhart Community Service award
UFV is once again looking for unsung heroes. Do you know an individual or a group who has made the Fraser Valley a better place to live? People who make everyday contributions to their community but who may not be recognized? Consider nominating them for the UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service award. Betty Urquhart was…UFV looking into housing options and developing housing strategy
UFV wants to hear from you about the future of housing on campus. Earlier this year the provincial government announced that post-secondary institutions will be able to take on debt of up to $450 million system-wide to build new post-secondary housing. Institutions are invited to submit business plans, addressing criteria that align with government goals,…UFV launches new Food and Agriculture Institute
The University of the Fraser Valley is launching a dynamic and essential research institute that will advance BC’s agricultural economy and promote a sustainable and prosperous food culture. The Food and Agriculture Institute (FAI) will foster food security through the study of intensive sustainable agricultural land use and develop applied research capacity to supply the…Fraser Valley Literary Festival comes to UFV
UFV is hosting a revitalized Fraser Valley Literary Festival this September. The festival will be held in the Student Union Building on Fri, Sept 21 from 6-8:30 pm with an evening wine and cheese reception and keynote address shared by Billeh Nickerson, Renee Saklikar, and Carleigh Baker The festival continues on Sat, Sept 22, from…UFV celebrates graduates of 2020 in innovative ways
There was little pomp and no ceremony (yet) for UFV’s graduating class this year. Due to COVID-19, the University of the Fraser Valley was forced to postpone its usual June Convocation ceremonies. Despite having to postpone Convocation, UFV still recognized award winners in a variety of ways, and ensured every graduating student received their credential…Undergraduate Research Excellence award winners celebrated with video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiOEe6GKlfo UFV wasn’t able to host its annual Undergraduate Research Excellence awards in person this year, but the university recognized its winners via video. Garry Fehr, AVP Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies, introduced each winner. UFV distributed more than $24,000 in award prize funds. Students were nominated by their faculty advisors. There are awards for…Governor General’s Gold Medal — Kelly Ridder: interest in youth
Kelly Ridder knows a thing or two about juggling priorities. She balanced a full-time job in the human services field with studies toward a Master of Social Work degree over the past 20 months, and with being a mother to six children between the ages of 13 and 25, all still living at home in…Parenting during a pandemic with the Goertz family
Our sudden collective plunge into working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, often while caring for children who are also home, has been ongoing for three months now at UFV. In honour of Father's Day, we thought we'd check in with an employee who's also a father. But then we decided it would be…Convocation may be postponed, but we’re celebrating our graduates
COVID-19 has caused convocation to be postponed, but UFV is determined to celebrate our incredible graduates over the next 10 days in unique and creative ways. We recognize COVID-19 has stolen the UFV Convocation experience from our students, their families, their supporters, and our faculty and staff. We recognize that until we celebrate in person,…UFV study shows lower anxiety among those who were active
As people around the world retreated to their homes in an attempt to avoid the spread of COVID-19, researchers from the University of the Fraser Valley wondered what the impact would be on physical activity. The results of their survey are now published in a study titled The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Behavior…UFV celebrates faculty and staff excellence with awards
Every spring, UFV celebrates the achievements of its faculty and staff by conferring excellence awards in a number of categories. This year is no exception. Although the ceremony honouring them has had to be postponed due to COVID-19, UFV is proud to recognize the following excellence awards recipients: Faculty Service Excellence: Gerry Palmer, Business Leadership:…Faculty Service Excellence: Gerry Palmer leads with unparalleled community commitment
The only thing quicker than Gerry Palmer’s wit is his willingness to help improve the lives of others. An Abbotsford lawyer and long-serving UFV professor with decades of volunteer work throughout the Fraser Valley, Palmer is the recipient of this year’s UFV Faculty Service Excellence Award. “Gerry epitomizes service beyond the classroom or the courtroom,”…Teamwork Excellence: PD Day crew went big and had fun
The secret to putting together a great event team is all about the mix of people. There should be a variety of different personalities and character traits so all aspects of planning are covered. Each team member should bring a set of unique skills and strengths. And it doesn't hurt if the group has a…Inspirational Leadership award: Leadership comes naturally to Leah Whitehouse
Nobody appointed Leah Whitehouse to a leadership role at the University of the Fraser Valley. She just came to it naturally. And for the leadership and initiative she has shown in creating community at UFV’s Trades and Technology Centre, she is a recipient of the UFV Leadership award for 2020. Leah’s official job is cashier…Alumni entrepreneurs adjust to COVID curveball
What does a true entrepreneur do when the market throws a giant curveball? Adjust. Alex McAulay and Joel Primus are seasoned entrepreneurs who have teamed up to launch several businesses. Their latest? Kosan, a travel wear company they founded in 2017. The problem? Not many people are buying travel wear when international travel has slowed…Solar wall installation continues UFV’s climate action
Today, as Earth Day turns half a century old, "climate action" is the annual event’s chosen theme. While much of UFV's environmental improvements are hidden behind the scenes, the latest big climate action achievement on campus is easy to spot. Through the month of March, a solar thermal collector (solar wall) was installed on…