Nearly 1,000 members of the Fraser Valley community visited the Abbotsford campus on Saturday, Oct 26 for the third annual UFV Open House. Greeted cheerfully by 250 dedicated UFV students, employees, and alumni, they arrived at the Student Union Building (SUB) before branching out to imagine what their futures might look like at UFV. 

The registration desk proudly welcomed potential students and community members of all ages, ranging from 7 to 87. 

Inside the SUB, many of them attended workshops to get a taste of what it’s like to immerse themselves in the UFV community. 

“We were thrilled to welcome so many prospective students and community members to our campus and showcase the diverse academic opportunities that UFV offers,” said Dr. Joanne MacLean, UFV President and Vice-Chancellor. “As we celebrate 50 years of fostering academic excellence and supporting student success, this open house was a perfect reflection of the vibrant community we’ve built here at UFV. It was inspiring to connect with so many future learners and to show them how UFV can be a house of transformation for both their academic and personal growth.” 

Next to the SUB in Building E, tables were set up in the gymnasium representing every faculty and program, from Adult Education to Visual Arts, including the always-popular Lego city display from Planning, Geography and Environmental Studies. 

Visitors were able to ask faculty questions about programs, and discover pathways they might not have considered, chat with current students for first-hand insights into university life, and connect with student services and recruiters to learn more about life at UFV. They were also able to take part in campus tours and take a look at student housing, including the new building currently under construction, which will provide 398 new student beds. 

David Johnston, UFV’s University Registrar & Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Management
was impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of the UFV community hosting the event. 

“The success of the open house is due to the hard work and commitment of the faculty, staff, and current students who come out and explain the benefits of attending UFV to our visitors,” said Johnston. “Without their commitment, we would not be able to host a program of this kind.” 

Many guests left the open house with prizes, including UFV apparel, and a few more had their names drawn for prizes later in the week. One person won a $500 tuition credit, and another won a pair of AirPod 4s. Four more attendees won UFV starter packs. 

“We are always proud to welcome the community to our wonderful Abbotsford campus, especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year,” said Susan Mide Kiss, Vice-President, Community Engagement. “There was so much energy and excitement at the open house, and it was gratifying to see young adults experiencing UFV for the first time. We hope to see many of them in the future when they return as students.” 

See photos from the open house here.