featured Archive
Clough and Back win 2013 Betty Urquhart community service award
Two young women striving to make their communities better in very different ways are UFV’s latest Betty Urquhart community service award recipients. Among the first employees of Fraser Valley College (now UFV), Betty believed strongly in the values of volunteering and giving back to the community. While she passed away in 1995, UFV keeps her…Obituary: UFV loses beloved employee and volunteer Keith Newport
Gregarious UFV employee Keith Newport passed away suddenly on June 30. He was 55. An active and enthusiastic volunteer, Keith joined UFV on Sept. 29, 2008 as a program technician for the transport trades at UFV’s Trades & Technology Centre in Chilliwack. He lived in Yarrow (or ‘South Sardis’ as he liked to say) and…Top undergrad student Sol Sun says marks come naturally if
Sol Sun was a busy man at UFV’s recent convocation ceremonies. He was the student speaker for the College of Arts ceremony, the dean’s medalist for the Faculty of Social Sciences within the College of Arts, and the Governor General’s silver medalist, an honour bestowed upon the graduate from a four-year degree program with the…Literary Café has Pacific Northwest environmental theme; coincides with new
The Literary Café at the Harrison Festival of the Arts has a bit of green theme this year, as it celebrates the publication of an anthology of Pacific Coast environmental writing. This year’s café will take place at 8:30 pm on Monday, July 8 at the Harrison Memorial Hall. It is presented by Continuing Studies…Local educator with strong UFV ties wins education advocate award
A local educator with strong ties to UFV's Teacher Education program has won an award from the Association of BC Deans of Education (ABCDE), as a result of a nomination by the TEP department. The winner of the Education Advocate award for 2013 is Dr. Karen Nelson, Superintendent of Schools, School District #78 (Fraser-Cascade), based…Plecas named professor emeritus at UFV
The University of the Fraser Valley has been through a lot of changes over the past few decades, and Dr. Darryl Plecas was around for most of them. He started in 1979 at what was then Fraser Valley College, teaching in the early years of the Criminal Justice diploma program. As program head, he guided…Diane Keegan named UFV Governor General’s gold medal winner
It didn’t take long for a Master of Social Work student to break the monopoly held by criminology grads on the Governor General’s gold medal at the University of the Fraser Valley. Until this year, the only program graduating master’s students at UFV was the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. So they had a…UFV, partners, and donors team up to fund BC School
UFV has committed $750,000 toward the construction of the first stage of the new BC School of Agriculture on its Chilliwack campus at the Canada Education Park. Representatives from UFV, the provincial government, the City of Chilliwack, and Envision Financial gathered for a sod-turning event at the site of the new UFV agricultural facilities, including…More than 2,000 graduate from UFV in three ceremonies
The University of the Fraser Valley sent another batch of its best and brightest out into the world on June 13 and 14, as more than 2,000 students graduated and more than half of them attended Convocation ceremonies, crossing the stage at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. UFV president Mark Evered addressed the grads…ECE students learn new ways of engaging children in play-based
A glimpse into Early Childhood Education learning by instructor Monique Goerzen “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Confucius Students in Early Childhood Education are learning all about how children learn music through play and experience. In groups, students have created unique instruments using recycled material. The…UFV lieutenant governor medal winner Scott Klassen lands “dream job”
Lunch bags in hand, Scott Klassen and his daughter left for their first day of school — little Peyton heading to Grade 1, and dad off to the University of the Fraser Valley. Less than a year later Peyton’s nailed her ABCs, while Scott’s working at his “dream job” after having recently earned the Lieutenant…Parent Orientation at UFV answers questions for students’ biggest fans
When a student goes to university for the first time, their family is along for the journey. Mom and Dad may not be sitting beside them in the lecture theatre or attending labs, but they are often a key part of the support network for new students. But for many post-secondary students, university is a…Sandman named UFV Alumni Association’s official preferred hotel
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…Three student speakers to shine at convocation
Three student speakers will shine at this year's convocation ceremonies. Derek Froese is an involved Computer Information Systems (CIS) student, Sol Sun will be graduating from the psychology program with honours, and Laurie Schulz has completed her Master of Social Work. All three have advice for students graduating this year, but also for students who…Sharing research with students brings joy to UFV chemist
Research brings great joy to UFV chemist Noham Weinberg. “For, me, it is like drinking clean water fresh from the source! And having students working with you, seeing them grow into independent researchers, is an even greater joy. It is what drives me. Their enthusiasm is contagious! “I like teaching in a classroom setting but…National Aboriginal Day: a chance for reflection on culture and
National Aboriginal Day was Sunday, June 21 Posted on behalf of Shirley Hardman, UFV Senior Advisor on Indigenous Affairs National Aboriginal Day on Sunday, June 21 celebrates the unique heritage and diverse culture of indigenous people -- it also presents an opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada…Nik Venema new board chair of UFV Alumni Association
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…Convo-posal 2015: a credential and more for one UFV graduate
For student Sasha Morneau, crossing the stage and shaking UFV President Mark Evered's hand during her convocation ceremony was much more than the end of her undergraduate degree - it was the end of a long and arduous journey. During her time at UFV, Sasha persevered through a series of hurdles that might have stopped…Golf: Stinson tops star-studded field to win UFV Cascades Pro-Am
Kevin Stinson overcame a star-studded field featuring PGA Tour pros Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor to take first place at the UFV Cascades Pro-Am on Monday afternoon. Stinson, a Mission product, lit it up at Chilliwack Golf Club, carding an eagle and eight birdies en route to a seven-under 65. That left him two shots clear of Hadwin and…Thousands celebrate UFV Convocation 2015
Families and friends from the Fraser Valley and beyond gathered to cheer as more than 2,100 students graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley on June 11 and 12. It’s always a festive atmosphere at the Abbotsford Centre for UFV Convocation. There were four ceremonies spread over two days this year, and more than…Etienne Dreyer, 19: youngest ever UFV Science grad
His personality isn’t the only thing that’s electric about Etienne Dreyer, who at age 19 recently finished his undergraduate education before many even start. With a near-perfect 4.10 GPA, Dreyer is the youngest-known person to graduate from the University of the Fraser Valley’s Bachelor of Science program. He first caught the eye of future instructors…Governor General’s Gold Medal: Shelley Cole is top of the
Students in the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program at the University of the Fraser Valley are seasoned working professionals who bring their real-world back to the classroom to share with their fellow students. They are a motivated and accomplished group. So it’s no small achievement to receive the Governor General’s gold medal, awarded…Governor General’s Silver Medal: His prof was right: UFV was
When Sukhvinder Singh Mangat started his Criminal Justice degree program at UFV four years ago, his professor told him studying for his degree would be a transformational experience. Mangat was skeptical. “I was reluctant to believe this. How can simply completing a series of courses result in such a transformative change?” Mangat recalls. “Well, four…Social justice champion Shirzad Ahmed receives honorary degree from UFV
Effectively fighting for the rights of refugees and immigrants from 144 countries takes 12-hours a day, seven days a week. And Shirzad Ahmed wouldn’t have it any other way. For his dedication to human rights, Shirzad will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of the Fraser Valley at 10 a.m. on…Aboriginal performance artist Margo Kane receives honorary degree from UFV
Movement and expression have defined Margo Kane for more than 40 years during an accomplished professional performance career. You can’t categorize her, and you can’t keep her still. A seemingly endless well of perpetual energy helps this dynamo tell her own story, express herself as an artist, and facilitate the sharing of many stories reflective…Crystal Gala organizers earn UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service award
Call it kitchen-table philanthropy. Fundraising without the frills. Every year, the women of the Crystal Gala Foundation put on a breathtakingly fancy and painstakingly planned gala fundraiser. Their goal? Raising money to support women undergoing breast cancer treatment in the Fraser Valley. Since inception in 1999 the group has raised $1.8 million in support of…Hardworking Heather Bakker earns UFV’s Lieutenant Governor’s Medal
Kind, caring, and incredibly capable, Certified Dental Assistant graduate Heather Bakker is UFV’s 2015 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal recipient. Bakker received her medal at the June 11 UFV Convocation ceremony. The Lt. Governor’s Medal is awarded to students graduating vocational or career programs less than two years long who excel in their studies and contribute to…