Awards and recognition Archive
UFV welcomes community to campus to celebrate Convocation 2025
The University of the Fraser Valley welcomed the community to campus from June 10 to June 12 to celebrate Convocation over six ceremonies in its Athletic Centre. A total of 3,152 students earned credentials to graduate from UFV this academic year, and 1,601 attended Convocation and crossed the stage. Almost 6,000 guests attended Convocation over…A love of problem-solving led Jael Penner to academic success
Jael Penner is a problem solver. Give her a computer and a challenge to overcome and watch her go. With a smile on her face and her fingers dancing across the keyboard, she’ll have a solution worked out in no time at all. “It’s super rewarding and I kind of get a rush of adrenaline…Standout student leader Roxy Granikovas receives Lieutenant Governor’s Medal
Roxy Granikovas has spent eight years at UFV building spaces where everyone can feel included. Now that they’re graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy (Honours), their efforts are being recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal. Each year, this award honours a student who’s made outstanding contributions in support of inclusion, democracy, or…Child and Youth Care degree graduate Thea Bramer receives UFV
Thea Bramer of Mission had never heard of the Governor General’s Silver Medal award until she got the phone call telling her she’d be receiving it. After a 20-year break from school, the former administrative assistant came to UFV for a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care — and received the highest academic…UFV helps Eleanor Deacon forge leadership identity
Eleanor Deacon is always looking for the next step, determined to keep learning and developing. In 2023, her quest for knowledge brought her to the University of the Fraser Valley, where she enrolled in the Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Mentorship program. A teacher at a Chilliwack school, Eleanor graduates from the UFV…Honorary degree 2025: John Anderson’s journey combines strengths and passions
As a young man, John Anderson dreamed of flying. To finance that dream, he took a detour into the food services industry, where he soared with success. Now the University of the Fraser Valley is recognizing that success with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. John will be honored at UFV’s morning convocation ceremony on…Honorary degree 2025 — Kat Pennier has spent a lifetime
Hi:olemtel Clarence Pennier, known to most people as Kat, has devoted his life to fighting for equity for Indigenous people in general, and the Stó:lō people in particular. Land rights, Aboriginal rights, education, and reconciliation are among the causes he has advocated for through a long list of formal roles, jobs, and projects. As he…Honorary degree 2025 — Gary Teichrob built TYCROP into leading
On the surface, TYCROP is a manufacturing company located on the outskirts of Chilliwack in the small farming community of Rosedale. But in the eyes of founder Gary Teichrob, one of UFV’s 2025 honorary degree recipients, it’s so much more. “We’re passionate innovators, designers, engineers, and creators, but we pride ourselves in being more than…Honorary degree 2025: Gwen Point’s love of learning inspired her
Gwen Point had a thirst for learning from an early age. But like many Indigenous children, she faced barriers that made it difficult for her to thrive in the education system. She persevered, never giving up on her dream. Success followed, but not without struggle. She earned her bachelor’s degree. And her master’s degree. And…Six remarkable leaders to be honoured by UFV this year
Six leaders from a variety of backgrounds who have excelled as leaders in their field will be recognized by the University of the Fraser Valley with honorary degrees at its Convocation ceremonies this June. Indigenous leader Hi:olemtel Clarence (Kat) Pennier, Indigenous educator and former UFV Chancellor Shoyshqwelwhet Gwen Point, business leaders John Anderson, Susannah Pierce,…Long-service 2025: UFV shines a spotlight on decades of dedication
More than 100 employees who have been at UFV for a decade or more were recognized and celebrated on May 20 at the Service Recognition Dinner at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre. In addition, six recently retired faculty members received the professor emeritus designation. President Joanne MacLean congratulated the long-service award recipients and said…Drafting students dream up possibilities to liven up campus bus
How do you make an unremarkable space interesting? How do you bring life to something people pass by every day without thought? Those are questions Jesse Reimer posed to UFV’s Architectural Drafting Technician students when he presented Activating Spaces, a concept created by Jesse and his fellow instructor Wes Macaulay. The competition challenged students…