The University of the Fraser Valley welcomed more than 180 friends and partners to its Mission campus and the Clarke Theatre on Wednesday, Sept 24 for St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community. An evening of food, fun, and lively conversation included remarks from Dr. James Mandigo, UFV’s new President and Vice-Chancellor, who spoke of the strong…

Greg Elford led efforts to revitalize a historic building in downtown Mission, turning it into a vibrant community-oriented space. In the process, he helped breathe new life into the heart of the city. The Hougen Block Project is a case study in community building and collaboration, and it’s a big reason why UFV has recognized…

A trailblazer in the legal and business communities, Sam Varing has shown a deep commitment to equity and youth empowerment, and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has played a significant role in her journey.  Sam, the recipient of UFV’s 2025 Young Distinguished Alumni Award (YDAA), graduated from UFV in 2014.  “I had the…

Kamaldeep (Kam) Singh Sandhu is using his talent for business development, improving the economic outlook for BC Indigenous communities.    The 2025 recipient of the University of the Fraser Valley’s Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) is a graduate of UFV’s Bachelor of Business Administration program (2012). A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Aboriginal Finance Manager…

There’s a question echoing across kitchen tables and boardrooms in Canada: Is a university education really worth it today? As costs rise and artificial intelligence promises instant answers 24/7, many Canadians are wrestling with doubts. In fact, a recent Ipsos poll found that less than half of Canadians believe a university or college credential offers…

The University of the Fraser Valley will present honorary degrees to four exceptional people at next week’s Convocation ceremonies. They include T’ít’elem Spáth Eddie Gardner, a lifelong champion of Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability; Marion Keys, a passionate advocate for social justice and community collaboration; Michelle Frances Good, a tireless proponent for meaningful decolonization and…

The University of the Fraser Valley celebrated its connection to community on September 14 with a special event at Abbotsford’s EcoFarm that welcomed more than 250 friends and partners of the university. Showcasing community-engaged UFV initiatives and partnerships, St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community also launched UFV’s immersive St’elt’elawtexw: UFV Community Report, highlighting many projects and…

The Keeping in Touch section of UFV’s Skookum magazine features brief updates from a variety of alumni. Derek Epp (BSW ’15), whose Xwélmexw name is Weli’leq, is the elected Chief of the Tzeachten First Nation, part of the Ch’iyàqtel Tribe. He is a proud descendant of the Wealick family.  During his studies at UFV he…

When the devastating floods of November 2021 inundated parts of the Fraser Valley, former UFV VP External Craig Toews and his team leapt into action to help a traumatized community recover.  Every resident in the Fraser Valley can probably tell you exactly where they were on November 14 and 15, 2021, and the rain-soaked days that…

As UFV celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, we look back at our roots and key moments in our evolution.   The year was 1991. Nirvana topped the music charts, Thelma and Louise, Beauty and the Beast, and Silence of the Lambs graced the silver screens, while grunge jeans, scrunchies, and Doc Martens walked the…

A former UFV student from the university-college era is now a Federal Court judge. Justice Shirzad Ahmed was appointed to the Federal Court on September 14, 2017. The Federal Court is Canada’s national trial court. It deals with cases in a broad range of areas of federal jurisdiction, including national security law, intellectual property law,…

Jasmin Kaur’s imagination is taking her places. From her bedroom office in Abbotsford she is living the life of a twice-published author and worldwide influencer. Her novel If I Tell You The Truth, is interspersed with poetry and tells the story of Kiran, an international student who stays illegally in Canada to raise a baby…