Awards and recognition Archive
2023 long-service employees celebrated
Employees who have been around for a decade or more -- including Cameron Roy, who hit the 35-year mark -- were celebrated in person on May 11 at a dinner event at the Clarion Inn. For the first time, sessional instructors were included in the celebration. More than 50 sessional instructors who have taught at…Inspirational Leadership 2023: Christine Slavik creates an environment of acceptance,
As she reflects on 27 years of teaching at the University of the Fraser Valley, Dr. Christine Slavik sees more than just a number: she sees a body of work that aligns with her core values. Whether it is leading her team through a pandemic with mindfulness, creating safe digital spaces to discuss concerns,…Faculty Service Excellence 2023: Stefania Pizzirani infuses service into teaching,
For Dr. Stefania Pizzirani, her duties as an assistant professor at UFV don’t fall into strict silos of teaching, research, and service. They all blend together. Her teaching includes service components. Her research is often based on grassroots community needs. And her service activities feed off her teaching, her research, and her relationships with students,…Staff Excellence 2023: Tara Rozenek committed to providing top service
What began as a temporary posting in the auxiliary pool in 1999 has led to a fulfilling professional career in human resources for Tara Rozenek, this year’s recipient of the UFV Staff Excellence award. Like many UFV staff members, Tara is a graduate of the Applied Business Technology certificate (called Office Careers back in her…Teamwork Excellence 2023: Research and Graduate Studies exemplifies collaboration
If there’s one phrase that sums up the attitude of members of the Research and Graduate Studies team, it’s “how can I help?” The entire team lives by this phrase every working day. For Martha Dow, Director of Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub, the choice was obvious when it came time to nominate…UFV Indigenization and Reconciliation excellence 2023: Lorna Andrews helps colleagues
Lorna Andrews doesn’t have an easy job, but she has an important one. As UFV’s Teaching and Learning Specialist with a focus on Indigenization, she helps faculty and staff understand issues regarding colonial impacts on Indigenous people and the need to work towards reconciliation in Canada. For her efforts, she is being recognized as the…Research Excellence 2023: Dr. Edward Akuffo finds joy in balancing
Dr. Edward Akuffo first encountered Canadian foreign policy in the late 1990s when he was completing his undergraduate education in Ghana. After seeing the work that the now defunct Canadian International Development Agency was doing under the leadership of John R. Schram (the retired diplomat and former Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana), his curiosity was…Teaching Excellence 2023: Steven Marsh’s love of climate studies has
A passion for studying the elements led Steven Marsh to his life’s work as a geography professor. Now, generations of students have benefited from the knowledge and skills he shared and are on the frontlines of resource management and academic research in climate-related disciplines. For his dedication to his profession and influence on students, Marsh…Inspirational Leadership award 2023: Whitney Fordham follows ‘authentic’ model in
Whitney Fordham has been drawn to leadership roles for her whole life. Through Girl Guides and 4-H and serving as a goalkeeper on various soccer teams, she has emerged as someone who can keep her eye on the big picture and guide her teammates or colleagues through their challenges. As Director of Alumni Relations, Fordham…Canada’s best: Rare feat as two UFV accounting alumni score
UFV alumni Warren Rossing and Caleb Steegstra were each summoned into their respective bosses’ offices in early August. For aspiring Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) who make the prestigious honour roll, this is how Common Final Examination (CFE) test results are typically delivered. Steegstra (BBA ’20), a project accountant at Westbow Construction in Chilliwack, had been…Community volunteers Amber Price and Ana Krapchatova receive Betty Urquhart
Two women who have made a difference in their communities through volunteer work and leadership were recognized by the University of the Fraser Valley with a Betty Urquhart Community Service award recently. Betty Urquhart was one of the first employees of the university and believed strongly in volunteering and giving back to the community. While…Distinguished Alumni 2022: Matt Douma a leading educator in health-care
Matt Douma is a shining example of an outstanding UFV alumnus now, but back in the mid-2000s he wasn’t your typical nursing student. Douma, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2006, is this year’s recipient of the UFV Distinguished Alumni award. During his student days he chafed against convention and questioned the…UFV seeking unsung heroes for Betty Urquhart community service award
Do you know an unsung hero? You know the type: they work hard making our community a better place through their volunteerism, with little or no recognition. And they’re not expecting any. But wouldn’t it be nice to give them some? Consider nominating them for the UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service award. Every year, the…Lieutenant Governor’s medal: Grandmother’s legacy inspired future teacher Natasha Rainkie
When Natasha Rainkie of Chilliwack learned what had happened to her grandmother at the Lower Post residential school in northern British Columbia, she knew she had to become a teacher. “I want to provide this generation of children with the education that my grandmother needed and should have received. I want to tell her story…Governor General’s gold medal 2022: Alaina Brocklesby studied bio-ethical implications
Alaina Brocklesby may not have set foot on campus for the entirety of her Master of Social Work studies, but that doesn’t mean she’s not familiar with the University of the Fraser Valley. Brocklesby earned the top grade-point-average in a master’s degree program at UFV this year, earning a perfect 4.33 (A+) GPA, and will…UFV to grant honorary degrees to Bonnie Henry, Naxaxalhts’i Sonny
UFV will present honorary degrees to four leaders who have had a significant impact on society and their communities at its Convocation ceremonies in June. They include Dr. Bonnie Henry, who led British Columbia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Naxaxalhts’i Sonny McHalsie, one of the most distinguished interpreters of the Stó:lō cultural tradition and history;…UFV seeking nominations for Betty Urquhart Community Service award
Do you know an unsung hero? You know the type: they work hard making our community a better place through their volunteerism, with little or no recognition. And they’re not expecting any. But wouldn’t it be nice to give them some? Consider nominating them for the UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service award. Every year, the…Five retiring faculty members receive professor emeritus status
Congratulations to the following recently retired long-term faculty members, each of whom received professor emeritus status. They were honoured at the service excellence dinner along with employees marking service milestones and the employee excellence award winners. UFV grants the honourable designations of Professor and Librarian Emeritus in recognition of long service and contributions to the…2023 long-service employees celebrated
Employees who have been around for a decade or more -- including Cameron Roy, who hit the 35-year mark -- were celebrated in person on May 11 at a dinner event at the Clarion Inn. For the first time, sessional instructors were included in the celebration. More than 50 sessional instructors who have taught at…Inspirational Leadership 2023: Christine Slavik creates an environment of acceptance,
As she reflects on 27 years of teaching at the University of the Fraser Valley, Dr. Christine Slavik sees more than just a number: she sees a body of work that aligns with her core values. Whether it is leading her team through a pandemic with mindfulness, creating safe digital spaces to discuss concerns,…Faculty Service Excellence 2023: Stefania Pizzirani infuses service into teaching,
For Dr. Stefania Pizzirani, her duties as an assistant professor at UFV don’t fall into strict silos of teaching, research, and service. They all blend together. Her teaching includes service components. Her research is often based on grassroots community needs. And her service activities feed off her teaching, her research, and her relationships with students,…Staff Excellence 2023: Tara Rozenek committed to providing top service
What began as a temporary posting in the auxiliary pool in 1999 has led to a fulfilling professional career in human resources for Tara Rozenek, this year’s recipient of the UFV Staff Excellence award. Like many UFV staff members, Tara is a graduate of the Applied Business Technology certificate (called Office Careers back in her…Teamwork Excellence 2023: Research and Graduate Studies exemplifies collaboration
If there’s one phrase that sums up the attitude of members of the Research and Graduate Studies team, it’s “how can I help?” The entire team lives by this phrase every working day. For Martha Dow, Director of Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub, the choice was obvious when it came time to nominate…UFV Indigenization and Reconciliation excellence 2023: Lorna Andrews helps colleagues
Lorna Andrews doesn’t have an easy job, but she has an important one. As UFV’s Teaching and Learning Specialist with a focus on Indigenization, she helps faculty and staff understand issues regarding colonial impacts on Indigenous people and the need to work towards reconciliation in Canada. For her efforts, she is being recognized as the…Research Excellence 2023: Dr. Edward Akuffo finds joy in balancing
Dr. Edward Akuffo first encountered Canadian foreign policy in the late 1990s when he was completing his undergraduate education in Ghana. After seeing the work that the now defunct Canadian International Development Agency was doing under the leadership of John R. Schram (the retired diplomat and former Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana), his curiosity was…Teaching Excellence 2023: Steven Marsh’s love of climate studies has
A passion for studying the elements led Steven Marsh to his life’s work as a geography professor. Now, generations of students have benefited from the knowledge and skills he shared and are on the frontlines of resource management and academic research in climate-related disciplines. For his dedication to his profession and influence on students, Marsh…Inspirational Leadership award 2023: Whitney Fordham follows ‘authentic’ model in
Whitney Fordham has been drawn to leadership roles for her whole life. Through Girl Guides and 4-H and serving as a goalkeeper on various soccer teams, she has emerged as someone who can keep her eye on the big picture and guide her teammates or colleagues through their challenges. As Director of Alumni Relations, Fordham…