As a kid who feasted on pulp fiction, Seamus Heffernan thought the coolest guy in the room only needed two things – a tan trench coat and enough grit to pave the Trans-Canada Highway. Seven years, 7,000 kilometers and one master’s degree later, and Heffernan finally has his own flawed hero in Thaddeus Grayle, the…

UFV’s Alumni Association will continue to be served by a dedicated leader, as Nav Bains takes the torch from Nik Venema as association chair. Bains (BBA ’13), a marketing specialist for G&F Financial Group, ascends to the chair after serving as vice-chair. “Under the leadership of Nik for the past two years, the Alumni Association…

Inspired by her 30 kids and sometimes smeared by squeegee or fork, the paintings created by UFV’s 2016 Young Distinguished Alumni Award winner Shannon Thiesen make their mark in more ways than one. She was the very last student to join her UFV Teacher Education cohort – accepted only two days before classes began. Now…

When Jason Beck signed up for a course in Canadian sport history at UFV, he had no idea that it would be a career-defining action. And when he wrote a directed studies paper on the famous Miracle Mile between Roger Bannister and John Landy, he didn’t know that it would one day grow into a…

When Dr. Mike Hildebrand says he’s working in his lab at Carleton University, he’s speaking literally. The lab is named after him and it’s symbolic of his long journey and the path he has taken from UFV and the Fraser Valley farm where he grew up, to the chronic pain research he now leads. This…

Passion is the energy that comes from the core of who we are as defined by our unique set of gifts. That’s the theme of a panel discussion to be led by sports psychologist Roger Friesen at the University of the Fraser Valley on October 15. Friesen and guest panelists — several of whom are…

Nik Venema is the new board chair of the University of the Fraser Valley Alumni Association. He joined the voluntary board in 2012, serving as member-at-large, treasurer, and most recently as vice-chair. He is replacing Justin P. Goodrich, who nearly completed his two-year term as chair, stepping down three months early to join the UFV Board of…

Roses are a hobby that flourished for Brad Jalbert. But if it weren’t for a chance encounter with an ad for the Fraser Valley College Agriculture program, he may never have reached his full potential. Today he is considered a leading hybridizer of roses and his Select Roses varieties are recognized world-wide for their unique…

UFV alumni can be found making a difference around the corner and across the world. “More than 30,000 alumni from the University of the Fraser Valley work in a variety of industries and sectors and have a significant impact on our economy and our communities every day,” says Nancy Armitage, UFV Alumni Engagement manager. “We…

Dr. Peter Eppinga has packed a lot of experience into his first three decades. Now a resident physician at Alberta Health Services, his fascination with health and the human body really took off when studying kinesiology and biology at UFV. He graduated with his BKin in 2006. “Kinesiology was great to study because it addresses…

Who’s in your top 40? As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the University of the Fraser Valley is seeking nominations for its Top 40 alumni, and organizers want your help. The campaign is into its final two weeks for nominations. “In this anniversary year we want to shine a bright light on our alumni…

There was a changing of the guards on the board of directors of the UFV Alumni Association at its recent annual general meeting as Tony Luck completed his term as board chair and a new executive was voted in. Jason Barnes (BSc ’04) was elected as chair, to serve a one-year term. Justin P. Goodrich…

A single, succulent suggestion is helping beautify UFV’s Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park this semester, and beyond. As those waiting nearby for the UFV/SUS shuttle bus have likely noticed, large concrete planters have sprouted up around Building V, beginning with a line of 11 along the south side. Smaller planters to the north will…

Are you a UFV alumnus who’d like to stay involved with your university while making valuable connections with other alumni and contributing to your community? Then consider volunteering to assist future alumni while gaining experience in networking, governance, leadership, and communication by allowing your name to stand for election to the University of the Fraser…

With the annual influx of family and friends coming to town for convocation ceremonies, there’s no better time for the University of the Fraser Valley's Alumni Association to announce a partnership with one of Canada’s premier hotel chains. Beginning immediately, all staff, faculty, alumni, and special visitors to UFV receive preferred accommodation rates at Sandman…