Alumni Relations Archive
50 Remarkable Alumni: Tanya Jonker says understanding how we think
For many people, earning a PhD means they have plans for a career in academia, pursuing their research interests and teaching the next generation of scholars. Dr. Tanya Jonker had other ideas. While she loved her university studies, she was intrigued by opportunities and revolutionary developments in the private sector. Tanya, who earned a BA…Keenan Beavis: Avid entrepreneur, Indigenous mentor, and UFV’s 2024 Young
Walking into Longhouse Branding and Marketing, the values instilled by founder Keenan Beavis are immediately evident. The office buzzes with a team of nearly 15 people, working collaboratively in one large open space – reflecting the long-standing traditions of the Stó:lō People, who have done so for generations in their longhouses. Keenan is an up-and-coming…50 Remarkable Alumni: Chris Woods’ artistic vision endures decades after
Some artists struggle for years in obscurity. A few find fame and glory young, their talents celebrated, their work snapped up by collectors who pay top dollar to acquire a piece or two. Chris Woods falls into that latter category; his extraordinary talent gained attention just as he was beginning his career. Having exhibited in…50 Remarkable Alumni: Terry-Lynn Stone gives back to community
UFV gave Terry-Lynn Stone a springboard into a meaningful career in her 40s. Three decades later, she continues to contribute to her community through volunteerism. Terry-Lynn served two terms on the UFV Board of Governors, one in the 1990s and again in the 2010s. She was also founding chair of the UCFV Alumni Association in…Janet Antonio joins UFV as Director, Relationship and Fund Development
Janet Antonio will be the new Director, Relationship and Fund Development at the University of the Fraser Valley starting August 6. Janet joins UFV from the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation and CTS Youth Society, where she served as executive director. She brings over 20 years of broad-based fundraising experience, including major gifts and…50 Remarkable Alumni: Empowering the next generation of physicists
Jennifer Owen experienced the scientific discovery of a lifetime — an amazing and remarkable event. And now, she shares the excitement of discovery with undergraduate students. In 2006, Jennifer graduated from what was then called UCFV with a Bachelor of Science in physics. She then continued her education, completing her master’s degree and PhD at…50 Remarkable Alumni: Stu Chahal forges leadership career in IT
Stu Chahal’s time at UFV allowed him to gain expertise and experience in both business and computing—something that has served him well. Launching his career with Cisco Systems, an IT industry giant focused mostly on networking infrastructure such as routers and switches, in 2019 he transferred his talents to Splunk, a software company focused on…50 Remarkable Alumni: UFV’s Ken Hildebrandt engages Abbotsford audiences with
For theatre graduate Ken Hildebrandt, one art evokes another. “Staging a production is not just having actors moving around the stage,” he says. “The stage is essentially a canvas, and you are ‘painting’ with actors, set, lighting, costumes, et cetera, and applying the sense of line, mass, form, shape.” This is a lesson learned from Ian…50 Remarkable Alumni: Darren Penner finds passion in helping others
Studying at University of the Fraser Valley helped Darren Penner prepare for a career as lawyer. It also helped shape the kind of lawyer he would be: one who puts compassion ahead of compensation. Like many students, Darren planned to complete only two years at what was then University College of the Fraser Valley before…Retired police officer led a career of firsts
Amar Kingra joined the Abbotsford Police Department (formerly Matsqui Police) in 1981 as its first visible minority and spent 34 years in the eastern Fraser Valley before calling it a career in 2015. He was the APD’s longest serving member and had attained the rank of Staff Sargeant when he retired. “I was the only…50 Remarkable Alumni: Decades of authentic community connections for Stacey
Stacey Irwin was a leader on day one. And she hasn’t stopped since. Irwin (BBA ’97) co-founded the UCFV Alumni Association and sat as its first chair -- a position she held until 2008 -- but her contributions didn’t end there, thanks to an incredible commitment to community, driven by three principles of success: be…UFV Distinguished Alumni 2023: Blue skies ahead for Eric Gerbrandt
Dedicated to creating and caring for a better berry, Dr. Eric Gerbrandt’s research takes him from the fields of his Yarrow farm to labs and conferences around the world. For this and more, Eric has been named UFV’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner for 2023. Eric has been leading the BC berry research portfolio as Research…Young Distinguished Alumni 2023: Eryn Braley advocates for Indigenous Peoples
Eryn Braley is thankful to have chosen a career in Indigenous public health that allows her to connect with her Indigenous identity. “I am so appreciative of the Indigenous mentors and peers who have guided me in my career and personal journey. Through teachings, connection, and ceremonies, I am connecting with who I am as…Outstanding Student Leadership award — Manjot Benning leads by example
A student would have to be really outstanding to be the first-ever winner of the UFV Alumni Association’s Outstanding Student Leader award. Manjot Benning fits the bill, and then some! She’s graduating this June with top marks in her Bachelor of Science degree program, with sights set on medical school applications in the future. She’s…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…50 Remarkable Alumni: Tanya Jonker says understanding how we think
For many people, earning a PhD means they have plans for a career in academia, pursuing their research interests and teaching the next generation of scholars. Dr. Tanya Jonker had other ideas. While she loved her university studies, she was intrigued by opportunities and revolutionary developments in the private sector. Tanya, who earned a BA…Keenan Beavis: Avid entrepreneur, Indigenous mentor, and UFV’s 2024 Young
Walking into Longhouse Branding and Marketing, the values instilled by founder Keenan Beavis are immediately evident. The office buzzes with a team of nearly 15 people, working collaboratively in one large open space – reflecting the long-standing traditions of the Stó:lō People, who have done so for generations in their longhouses. Keenan is an up-and-coming…50 Remarkable Alumni: Chris Woods’ artistic vision endures decades after
Some artists struggle for years in obscurity. A few find fame and glory young, their talents celebrated, their work snapped up by collectors who pay top dollar to acquire a piece or two. Chris Woods falls into that latter category; his extraordinary talent gained attention just as he was beginning his career. Having exhibited in…50 Remarkable Alumni: Terry-Lynn Stone gives back to community
UFV gave Terry-Lynn Stone a springboard into a meaningful career in her 40s. Three decades later, she continues to contribute to her community through volunteerism. Terry-Lynn served two terms on the UFV Board of Governors, one in the 1990s and again in the 2010s. She was also founding chair of the UCFV Alumni Association in…Janet Antonio joins UFV as Director, Relationship and Fund Development
Janet Antonio will be the new Director, Relationship and Fund Development at the University of the Fraser Valley starting August 6. Janet joins UFV from the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation and CTS Youth Society, where she served as executive director. She brings over 20 years of broad-based fundraising experience, including major gifts and…50 Remarkable Alumni: Empowering the next generation of physicists
Jennifer Owen experienced the scientific discovery of a lifetime — an amazing and remarkable event. And now, she shares the excitement of discovery with undergraduate students. In 2006, Jennifer graduated from what was then called UCFV with a Bachelor of Science in physics. She then continued her education, completing her master’s degree and PhD at…50 Remarkable Alumni: Stu Chahal forges leadership career in IT
Stu Chahal’s time at UFV allowed him to gain expertise and experience in both business and computing—something that has served him well. Launching his career with Cisco Systems, an IT industry giant focused mostly on networking infrastructure such as routers and switches, in 2019 he transferred his talents to Splunk, a software company focused on…50 Remarkable Alumni: UFV’s Ken Hildebrandt engages Abbotsford audiences with
For theatre graduate Ken Hildebrandt, one art evokes another. “Staging a production is not just having actors moving around the stage,” he says. “The stage is essentially a canvas, and you are ‘painting’ with actors, set, lighting, costumes, et cetera, and applying the sense of line, mass, form, shape.” This is a lesson learned from Ian…50 Remarkable Alumni: Darren Penner finds passion in helping others
Studying at University of the Fraser Valley helped Darren Penner prepare for a career as lawyer. It also helped shape the kind of lawyer he would be: one who puts compassion ahead of compensation. Like many students, Darren planned to complete only two years at what was then University College of the Fraser Valley before…Retired police officer led a career of firsts
Amar Kingra joined the Abbotsford Police Department (formerly Matsqui Police) in 1981 as its first visible minority and spent 34 years in the eastern Fraser Valley before calling it a career in 2015. He was the APD’s longest serving member and had attained the rank of Staff Sargeant when he retired. “I was the only…50 Remarkable Alumni: Decades of authentic community connections for Stacey
Stacey Irwin was a leader on day one. And she hasn’t stopped since. Irwin (BBA ’97) co-founded the UCFV Alumni Association and sat as its first chair -- a position she held until 2008 -- but her contributions didn’t end there, thanks to an incredible commitment to community, driven by three principles of success: be…UFV Distinguished Alumni 2023: Blue skies ahead for Eric Gerbrandt
Dedicated to creating and caring for a better berry, Dr. Eric Gerbrandt’s research takes him from the fields of his Yarrow farm to labs and conferences around the world. For this and more, Eric has been named UFV’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner for 2023. Eric has been leading the BC berry research portfolio as Research…