The newest member of UCFV's Board of Governors, Ronald Downe of Abbotsford, is no stranger to community service.  

A managing partner at the law firm of Robertson Downe Mullally and father of two adult daughters, Downe has donated his time and expertise to numerous community organizations over the past two decades including the United Way , Rotary Club, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Abbotsford Community Foundation, and more.  

Downe says he is excited to have been chosen to serve on the UCFV Board. "I've been involved with lots of volunteer projects to do with education, but this is an exciting new challenge," says Downe.  

"I'm especially interested in promoting the relationship between UCFV and institutions in China , and the establishment of an Indo-Canadian research chair," he says. If Downe's past record is any indication, UCFV stands to gain much from the lawyer's experience, energy, and community-spirited drive.  

Downe was a charter member of the committee that established the Career Technical Centre in Clearbrook in the early 1990s. The CTC, a joint project of School District #34 and UCFV, is a constructive training alternative for young adults. "The Centre has helped capture kids who would have otherwise fallen out of the school system," says Downe.  

Downe is also a past president and current member of the Rotary Club. He chaired the committee that established the Rotary House, as well as the committee that organized the Rotary Million Dollar Hole-in-One Tournament, raising more than $65,000 for the service club's scholarship fund.  

More recently, in April this year, Downe was named Director of the Abbotsford Community Foundation. "When you live in a community and do the kind of work I do, you become aware of a lot of different needs," he says. This recognition of need is what has led to Downe's prolific involvement in volunteer activities.  

UCFV president Skip Bassford says he is looking forward to working with Downe. "It's always exciting to welcome someone new to the Board," says Bassford. "When you look at everything that Ron has accomplished, you know you'll be dealing with someone who is committed to improving life in the Fraser Valley , and education is a huge part of that."  

Downe will be joining UCFV Board of Governors members: Satwinder Bains (Abbotsford), Cory Bargen and Shelley Milligan (UCFV students), Ian Bunbury (Abbotsford), Dr. Edith Camm (UCFV faculty), Vi Chappell (UCFV staff), Randy Kelley (chair, University College Council),  Hilary Kennedy (Hope), Harry Mertin (Chilliwack), Robert Nicklom (Chilliwack), Stan Nicol (Mission), and Carol Uszkalo (Abbotsford).  

To contact Board members or for further information on making representation to the UCFV Administration or the Board of Governors, please contact Jacqueline Ritter at (604) 854-4521 or email jacqueline.ritter@ucfv.ca