Awards and recognition Archive
2024 Honorary Degree recipient Nick Taylor: A national champion who
Nick Taylor is a star in the world of professional golf. In 2023 he won his fourth PGA Tour event – the RBC Canadian Open, the first Canadian to do so since 1954 – and he’s currently the No. 32 ranked golfer on the planet. But he’s never forgotten his hometown of Abbotsford and…Lieutenant Governor’s Medal: Frankie Fowle believes storytelling creates discussion
UFV student Frankie Fowle believes misunderstanding springs from not being aware, and storytelling is a powerful way to foster understanding. That’s the philosophy which carried her through four years of university and it’s the reason she’s the 2024 winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s medal. The award goes annually to a student in a certificate, diploma,…Governor General’s Gold Medal 2024: Marlae Vermeer writes a new
This year’s Governor General’s Gold Medal has been awarded to Master of Social Work graduate Marlae Vermeer with a GPA of 4.275. Granted to those with the highest academic standing in a graduate degree program, it is one of UFV’s most prestigious awards. When Vermeer learned of the achievement, she was shocked. Right away, receiving…Governor General’s Bronze Medal 2024: Pandora Siganakis finds a new
Pandora Siganakis hopes the skills she’s learned during her educational journey have set her up to help future students at UFV. The winner of this year’s Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal for 2024, Siganakis has achieved the highest academic standing of any student in a diploma program. She completed the Library and Information Technology program…2024 Honorary Degree recipient Marion Keys: “Community service is the
Even if the change you make is small, it matters Like all difference makers, Marion Keys has an origin story. To explain why she’s dedicated decades of her life to community service, she looks back to her youth growing up in a “difficult” home environment, making it through with tremendous support from friends, and teachers. …Governor General’s Silver Medal 2024: Amrit Singh “wanted to win
When Amrit Singh sets his mind on an academic goal, he usually achieves it. So, when he zeroed in on winning the Governor General’s Silver Medal for 2024, odds were good he’d win it. It took a ton of work to achieve the highest standing in an undergraduate degree program, but Singh did what he…2024 UFV Honorary Degree recipient Eddie Gardner: Harmony in action
Eddie Gardner was drawn to drumming and singing at an early age, from learning songs from Indigenous people back east where he grew up, to having Stó:lō songs come to him upon returning to his territorial and cultural roots. “Songs help connect us with our ancestors and bring harmony and joy to the work we…Inspirational Leadership Award 2024: Andrea Hughes makes history while leading
In one year as head of the psychology department, Dr. Andrea Hughes has made a lasting impression on her colleagues. With more than half of her department being new to UFV, she took on the role during a period of change and growth, and keeps her teammates feeling energized and cared for. While her department…Faculty Service Excellence Award 2024: Celebrating Dr. Opeyemi Adesina’s transformative
In the heart of the University of the Fraser Valley's computing department is 2024 Faculty Service Award winner and recently appointed Director of the School of Computing, Dr. Opeyemi Adesina – a driving force of student innovation, locally and beyond. As an assistant professor in the School of Computing and a software engineer, Adesina's approach…Staff Excellence 2024: Sheila McKay brings UFV together
Sheila McKay has spent 18 years at UFV sewing togetherness with the threads of community, connection, and belonging. Before she was a staff member she enrolled as a student in 1988, studying early childhood education with the dream of becoming a teacher. After two professors encouraged her to apply for a job here, Sheila tried…UFV Indigenization and Reconciliation Excellence 2024: Greg St. Hilaire builds
Over the past two years, Greg St. Hilaire has collaborated with the Seabird Island Band to implement and deliver specialized adult education courses that cater to the unique cultural and educational requirements of the Indigenous community while developing a pathway to post-secondary education. For his efforts, Greg has been awarded with UFV’s 2024 Indigenization and…Research Excellence 2024: Gillian Hatfield studies focus on community health
Dr. Gillian Hatfield has been at UFV since 2016 and has seen many amazing researchers win UFV’s Research Excellence award. She never imagined she’d be in the same group as those “heavy hitters.” But here she is, part of that group. “I’ve been on the award committee that judges these awards and I know the…Teaching Excellence 2024: Vanessa Radzimski encourages students to embrace mistakes
Dr. Vanessa Radzimski believes the best way for students to succeed is to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s a core tenet of her teaching philosophy, along with the idea that students are the best teachers for students. Whether they enter one of Radzimski’s courses with a lot or a little mathematics experience, they…UFV celebrates more than 100 employees for long service
More than 100 employees who have been at UFV for a decade or more — including one person with 45 years service — were celebrated in person on May 14 at the Service Recognition Dinner at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre. Kartar Thandi is closing in on a half-century in Campus Planning and Facilities…UFV makes BC’s Top Employer list for a decade running
The University of the Fraser Valley has once again been named one of BC’s Top Employers, marking its tenth consecutive year of recognition. This achievement is particularly exciting as UFV approaches its 50th anniversary. B.C.’s Top Employers is a competition that recognizes employers in BC that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.…2024 Honorary Degree recipient Nick Taylor: A national champion who
Nick Taylor is a star in the world of professional golf. In 2023 he won his fourth PGA Tour event – the RBC Canadian Open, the first Canadian to do so since 1954 – and he’s currently the No. 32 ranked golfer on the planet. But he’s never forgotten his hometown of Abbotsford and…Lieutenant Governor’s Medal: Frankie Fowle believes storytelling creates discussion
UFV student Frankie Fowle believes misunderstanding springs from not being aware, and storytelling is a powerful way to foster understanding. That’s the philosophy which carried her through four years of university and it’s the reason she’s the 2024 winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s medal. The award goes annually to a student in a certificate, diploma,…Governor General’s Gold Medal 2024: Marlae Vermeer writes a new
This year’s Governor General’s Gold Medal has been awarded to Master of Social Work graduate Marlae Vermeer with a GPA of 4.275. Granted to those with the highest academic standing in a graduate degree program, it is one of UFV’s most prestigious awards. When Vermeer learned of the achievement, she was shocked. Right away, receiving…Governor General’s Bronze Medal 2024: Pandora Siganakis finds a new
Pandora Siganakis hopes the skills she’s learned during her educational journey have set her up to help future students at UFV. The winner of this year’s Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal for 2024, Siganakis has achieved the highest academic standing of any student in a diploma program. She completed the Library and Information Technology program…2024 Honorary Degree recipient Marion Keys: “Community service is the
Even if the change you make is small, it matters Like all difference makers, Marion Keys has an origin story. To explain why she’s dedicated decades of her life to community service, she looks back to her youth growing up in a “difficult” home environment, making it through with tremendous support from friends, and teachers. …Governor General’s Silver Medal 2024: Amrit Singh “wanted to win
When Amrit Singh sets his mind on an academic goal, he usually achieves it. So, when he zeroed in on winning the Governor General’s Silver Medal for 2024, odds were good he’d win it. It took a ton of work to achieve the highest standing in an undergraduate degree program, but Singh did what he…2024 UFV Honorary Degree recipient Eddie Gardner: Harmony in action
Eddie Gardner was drawn to drumming and singing at an early age, from learning songs from Indigenous people back east where he grew up, to having Stó:lō songs come to him upon returning to his territorial and cultural roots. “Songs help connect us with our ancestors and bring harmony and joy to the work we…Inspirational Leadership Award 2024: Andrea Hughes makes history while leading
In one year as head of the psychology department, Dr. Andrea Hughes has made a lasting impression on her colleagues. With more than half of her department being new to UFV, she took on the role during a period of change and growth, and keeps her teammates feeling energized and cared for. While her department…Faculty Service Excellence Award 2024: Celebrating Dr. Opeyemi Adesina’s transformative
In the heart of the University of the Fraser Valley's computing department is 2024 Faculty Service Award winner and recently appointed Director of the School of Computing, Dr. Opeyemi Adesina – a driving force of student innovation, locally and beyond. As an assistant professor in the School of Computing and a software engineer, Adesina's approach…Staff Excellence 2024: Sheila McKay brings UFV together
Sheila McKay has spent 18 years at UFV sewing togetherness with the threads of community, connection, and belonging. Before she was a staff member she enrolled as a student in 1988, studying early childhood education with the dream of becoming a teacher. After two professors encouraged her to apply for a job here, Sheila tried…UFV Indigenization and Reconciliation Excellence 2024: Greg St. Hilaire builds
Over the past two years, Greg St. Hilaire has collaborated with the Seabird Island Band to implement and deliver specialized adult education courses that cater to the unique cultural and educational requirements of the Indigenous community while developing a pathway to post-secondary education. For his efforts, Greg has been awarded with UFV’s 2024 Indigenization and…Research Excellence 2024: Gillian Hatfield studies focus on community health
Dr. Gillian Hatfield has been at UFV since 2016 and has seen many amazing researchers win UFV’s Research Excellence award. She never imagined she’d be in the same group as those “heavy hitters.” But here she is, part of that group. “I’ve been on the award committee that judges these awards and I know the…