UFV eNews Summer 2009
What's new at the U? Stay current with news and events at your local university with the UFV eNews, an e-newsletter published by the Marketing & Communications team at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Subscribe here to receive our enewsletter .
Bassford leaves legacy of new name, new campus, new community connections
When Dr. Skip Bassford agreed to take up the presidency of the University College of the Fraser Valley in 1998, it was because he was intrigued by a concept. The university colleges of British Columbia were unique types of post-secondary institutions — ones that combined degree-level university studies with applied disciplines. This meant not only offering trades training, upgrading, and career programs as well as bachelor’s degrees, but integrating an applied focus into the university programs. When he left 11 years later, handing the presidency over to Dr. Mark Evered, it was as president of the University of the Fraser Valley. More...
Evered begins term as president and vice-chancellor
As of July 1, 2009, Dr. Mark Evered is the new president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley. Dr. Evered comes to the valley from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, where he served as provost and vice-president academic, and was deeply involved in TRU’s transition to university status. He holds a B.Sc. in biology from McMaster University and a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Western Ontario. Over the course of his 30-year career, he has held research and academic appointments at Cambridge University, the University of Western Ontario, the Howard Florey Research Institute in Melbourne, and the University of Saskatchewan. More...
UFV signs historic agreement with Mennonite Faith and Learning Society
The University of the Fraser Valley signed an agreement on June 24, 2009 with the Mennonite Faith and Learning Society (MFLS) with the intent of establishing a Centre for Mennonite Studies, as well as a Chair, a certificate, and possibly a minor in Mennonite Studies. The goal of the partnership is to jointly create an opportunity for students to study the rich heritage of the Mennonites and their contributions to the Fraser Valley and beyond. As resources permit and community interest warrants, the Centre will undertake research and education related to history, religious studies, ethno-religious culture, philosophy, literature, fine arts, political studies, international development, peace and reconciliation, agriculture, music, and other disciplines of interest to the Mennonite community.
More...
UFV honours Dalip Singh Gill for founding Punjabi school in Abbotsford
Dalip Singh Gill was pretty comfortable in his career in India. He was rising in the ranks of the education ministry after starting out as a teacher and headmaster. But when he learned that there was no school where Indo-Canadian children could learn about their culture, heritage, and ancestral language, he accepted the challenge of being founding principal of the Dasmesh Punjabi School in Abbotsford and immigrated to Canada. For this contribution to the local education environment, UFV recognized him with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at its June convocation ceremonies.
More...
From berry picker to blueberry baron: Parm Bains honoured for community contributions
When Parm Bains was spending his summers picking berries in Richmond as a young boy, he didn’t imagine that in the future he’d be a world-travelling blueberry industry leader and entrepreneur.
Bains combined his business acumen with a strong sense of community leadership and duty to help the University of the Fraser Valley in several ways. UFV has now formally recognizing him with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
More...
Chilliwack’s Kostrzewa awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degree
After more than 33 years of public service as a city councillor Dorothy Kostrzewa has earned enough certificates, awards, plaques, and thank-you cards to create a pile almost as tall as her five-foot frame. She honestly thought she’d seen the last of the accolades.
Retiring from municipal politics last fall, Kostrzewa, labelled one of Chilliwack’s most popular city politicians, was sure the spotlight would now shine on others and she would enjoy a quiet, yet still busy, retirement. So she was ‘bowled over’ when UFV called to tell her the university was presenting her with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for her outstanding community service. More...
Rob Nicklom honoured for leadership during drive for university
When former UFV Board Chair Rob Nicklom and his wife Orla first considered moving back to his hometown of Chilliwack with their young family in 1979, the fact that there was a college here was a real draw. The young accountant was then living in London, Ontario, a great example of a “university town”.
Nicklom didn’t know at the time that he would end up serving a seven-year term on the UFV Board, including six as the board chair, and that he would play an important role in achieving university status for the institution. It is for his leadership during a crucial period in UFV’s history that the university is recognizing him with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at its annual convocation ceremonies. More...
Humour, humility, and love of sharing knowledge key to success for Teaching Excellence winner
| |
 |
|
|
Perhaps the best teachers never stop thinking of themselves as students... and never stop thinking of students as fellow human beings. Those are two of the teaching secrets of Dr. Sven van de Wetering of Port Coquitlam, a University of the Fraser Valley psychology professor who is this year’s recipient of the UFV Teaching Excellence award.
Van de Wetering teaches many introductory psychology courses, as well as specialized upper-level courses in social psychology, cultural psychology, the psychology of language, political psychology, the history of psychology, and social cognition. He also supervises senior students in directed studies projects. More...
Gold medal winner had his eyes on the prize
Darren Caul regarded a master’s degree as a bit of unfinished business, and as an opportunity to excel academically that he’d missed the first time around. And excel he did: Caul graduated in June from the University of the Fraser Valley’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program as the winner of the Governor General’s gold medal. This award is given to the student at the graduate level with the highest GPA at each university. Caul is currently the regional manager of community relations and training for the National Parole Board, based out of Edmonton. He flew in to Abbotsford for intensive three-day courses and to pursue his research project about 20 times over the two-and-a-half year period.
More...
“Time and effort” key to success for UFV silver medalist Leandra Quiring
There’s no magic route to the top academic spot at UFV, according to Leandra Quiring, this year’s winner of the Governor General’s academic silver medal. This award is given to the graduating student with the highest grade point average at the bachelor’s degree level. Quiring, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (major in biology and minor in chemistry) says it’s all about “time and effort.” She’s interested in graduate school and a career in medical research, but she’s planning to work for the next year to consider her options, as well as volunteer overseas in Cambodia.
More...
Dental Hygiene student wins Governor General’s bronze medal
You could say that Petra Rindt is following in her mother’s footsteps. She paid close attention while her mother was taking the Certified Dental Assistant program at UFV and, shortly after her mom graduated, Rindt registered for UFV’s Dental Hygiene program. She wanted a career that would allow her to encourage people to manage and prevent gum disease. Good oral hygiene is an important health issue and Rindt says working as a dental hygienist will enable her to help individuals improve their oral and overall health. She worked hard -- extremely hard -- and her diligence paid off, as she was named UFV’s winner of the Governor General’s academic bronze medal. The medal is awarded each spring to the UFV diploma graduate with the highest grade point average.
More...
Award winner goes from cleaning rooms to cleaning teeth
Angela Morris certainly sees the irony in her career change. The Harrison Hot Springs resident spent five years after high school working in a local hotel, the last two in the housekeeping department. It was not her dream job and last fall she registered in UFV’s Certified Dental Assistant program. She graduated from the 10-month certificate program in June at the top of her class. Morris was excited about the opportunity to go back to school. After making beds and scrubbing floors for five years, she was ready to hit the books and put all of her effort into studying. In addition to being on the dean’s list, Morris won the Outstanding Achievement award in Dental Assisting and is also this year’s winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s medal. This medal is presented each spring at UFV’s convocation and is awarded to the top student in a one-year certificate program.
More...
The Reach’s Milt Walker wins Betty Urquhart Community Service award
Milt Walker has a tough job, so when he’s ready for a break from work, or he wants to focus on something completely different, he turns to the arts. Walker has lived in Abbotsford for 26 years and has been connected with the Kinghaven Peardonville House Society for much of that time. The society has two residential addiction treatment facilities and many programs to help adults cope with, and hopefully recover from, addictions.
A long-time community advocate, Walker has a healthy list of volunteer credentials and hours including the role of president of Abbotsford’s B.C. Summer Games in 2004. He is also the chair of the Reach Gallery Museum board. It’s this second job, away from his day job, that led to his nomination for the University of the Fraser Valley’s Betty Urquhart Community Service award. More...
Surrey RCMP study first of its kind in Canada
The Surrey RCMP have partnered with the University of the Fraser Valley to begin a new research project believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. On June 15, Surrey Detachment and the University of the Fraser Valley commenced a study into the resource requirements of General Duty patrol members. The results will have relevance to all police agencies in Canada and specific relevance to RCMP-policed jurisdictions. The project will involve approximately thirty Criminology students who will ‘ride-along’ with General Duty members. A selection of issues to be examined include: the difference between day and night shifts, the differences in the five districts, at what time of day is the greatest capacity, how much time is spent conducting investigations, serving documents, dealing with suspects and court issues, processing prisoners, assisting the public or other organizations, and securing crime scenes.
More...
What do you think of your U?
UFV is taking the pulse of Fraser Valley communities to determine the level of awareness of our current activities and the types of activities that our communities expect us to offer as a university. We greatly appreciate you taking a few moments to share your thoughts. The questions will take about 10 minutes to answer. Please be advised that responses given will remain confidential. Thank you for your assistance. Take the survey now.
Mark your calendars
July 6-10, 13-17, and 20-24
Science Rocks! camps. Designed especially for young people in Grades 4, 5, and 6 (as of Sept '09), these camps will be fun and a great learning opportunity. There are three week-long camps that focus on different aspects of science -- sign up for one, two or all three! More...
July 13
Andreas Schroeder, Elsie K. Neufeld, and Leonard Neufeldt will read at the UFV Literary Café, to be held as part of the Harrison Festival of the Arts on Mon, July 13 at 7:30 pm at the Harrison Memorial Hall. More...
July & August
Learn to play the Cascades way at UFV Cascades summer sports camps. More (PDF document)...
September 1 & 3
New student orientation sessions are happening in Chilliwack on September 1 and in Abbotsford on September 3. Details available online through Student Life.
September 18
The second annual Party on the Green at UFV's Abbotsford campus. Come check out your university, enjoy fun and games, and perhaps even meet the new president and vice-chancellor! Watch for more info to come.
2009/2010 Season of Theatre
Nov. 11 – 29, 2009: Schoolhouse by Leanna Brodie
Jan. 20 – Feb. 7, 2010: Paper Wheat by 25th Street House Theatre
Mar. 10 – 28, 2010: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
For information call the UFV Theatre at 604-795-2814 or email theatre@ufv.ca
Keep in touch by watching the news and events listings at www.ufv.ca . Follow UFV on Twitter at www.twitter.com/goUFV or check out our Facebook group.
