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Skookum Magazine

Skookum magazine — Keeping in Touch — 2022 edition

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 […]

After the Flood — UFV helped launch Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund

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 […]

Celebrating three decades of university degrees at UFV

UFV will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024 and as we anticipate a bright future, 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 […]

Catching up with Justice Shirzad Ahmed — 2011 Distinguished Alumni award winner

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, […]

Teaching social justice — How Nerlap Sidhu is transforming the classroom and empowering youth

Inside Nerlap Kaur Sidhu’s classroom, there’s a giant sign that reads: If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. Underneath are more than 30 colourful self-portraits neatly lined up and symmetrically organized into three rows. More important than the art quality is the diversity, the pride, and most importantly, the stories, derived from each […]

Skookum magazine 2021 — Keeping In Touch — extended version

The Keeping in Touch section of UFV’s Skookum magazine features brief updates from a variety of alumni. We couldn’t fit every submission into this year’s print edition, so here’s an extended online version. Sheetal Deo (BA ’11) When Sheetal Deo (BA ’12) felt the call to become a lawyer after graduating from UFV, she headed […]

Passion Ignited — mentors guided Matt Douma from rebel to ER nursing career

Two mentors guided Matt Douma from rebel living in a car to ER nursing career Matt Douma wasn’t a typical nursing student. He chafed against convention and questioned the rules. He had passions outside of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, despite being warned by his professors that he wouldn’t have time for […]