Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor
Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor
The President’s Leadership Lecture Series was established in 2011 with the intent to bring to UFV inspirational leaders to share their ideas with us, challenge us, and perhaps even provoke us.
In keeping with UFV's strategic goals, these lectures focus on issues relevant to social, cultural, economic, and environmentally responsible development in the Fraser Valley. The events are free and members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Join us for these unique opportunities to build awareness, dialogue, and engagement on topics of interest to us all.
The Witness Blanket exhibition is accompanied by President's Leadership Lecture series presentations on personal and community journeys of reconciliation, with a focus on the action that we can all take.
October 4, 2017 | 6 pm, Evered Hall, Student Union Building, Abbotsford campus
Shelagh Rogers, OC, is a Canadian broadcast journalist based in British Columbia. She is the host and a producer of CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter and Chancellor of the University of Victoria. In June 2011, she was inducted as an honorary witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Also in 2011 Ms. Rogers was named an Officer of the Order of Canada “for her contributions as a promoter of Canadian culture, and for her volunteer work in the fields of mental health and literacy.” Highly regarded for her advocacy work, she has spoken out to help destigmatize mental illness, and has raised awareness and funds for adult literacy initiatives. She now champions reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people as an honorary witness to the TRC.
Watch Shelagh Rogers on YouTube
October 11, 2017 | 6 pm, Evered Hall, Student Union Building, Abbotsford campus
Cecelia Reekie is a cultural presenter in the Aboriginal program in the Langley School District and was formerly a school board trustee in the District. She is a member of the Haisla First Nation. Cecelia believes in the power of sharing personal stories to bring awareness in regards to culture and the history of Aboriginal people in Canada. Cecelia always speaks from her heart and weaves many different life experiences through her cultural presentations.
October 25, 2017 | 6 pm, Evered Hall, Student Union Building, Abbotsford campus
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, OBC, is a founding member of Reconciliation Canada (reconciliationcanada.ca) and is a true peace-builder whose life and work are examples of his personal commitment. A Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, Chief Joseph has dedicated his life to bridging the differences brought about by intolerance, lack of understanding and racism at home and abroad. An eloquent and inspiring speaker, Chief Joseph shares his journey of reconciliation, including his childhood experience at St. Michael’s Residential School. He speaks about the important role of reconciliation in moving forward through trauma and will address the reconciliation work that is being done across Canada to build meaningful relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
Mon, June 5 at 4:30 pm
Aboriginal Gathering Place, Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park
Join UFV President Mark Evered and UFV Chancellor Dr. Gwen Point as they host Manon Labelle of the Canadian Heraldic Authority in the official unveiling of UFV’s newly minted coat of arms.
Ms. Labelle, who creates coats of arms, flags, and badges for Canadian citizens and institutions, will discuss the UFV Coat of Arms and use of heraldic symbols in Canada.
The natural symbols and their significance to the Stó:lō people and the Fraser Valley will be discussed by Dr. Gwen Point.
Tuesday, May 23 at 4:30 pm
Conference Centre (U-house, Building F), Abbotsford campus
UFV President Dr. Mark Evered is pleased to present faculty speaker, and UFV Research Excellence Award Winner, Dr. Derek Harnett.
Harnett has been changing the way UFV students view the world since 2003. His research explores things we can’t see and that might not even exist. He investigates our universe by examining how quarks stick together and bundle themselves into objects known as hadrons, the most familiar examples being protons and neutrons.
Working with graduate students on calculations that take months to complete, his commitment to the next generation of physicists is rivaled only by his passion for his work — the practical implementation of which might not be known for hundreds of years. His research is heralded by the scientific community and paved his way to receiving UFV’s Research Excellence Award in 2016.
This is a free lecture open to UFV faculty, staff, students and to the community.
March 13, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Lecture Theatre (room B101), Abbotsford campus
UFV President Mark Evered is pleased to welcome guest speaker, and UFV honorary doctorate recipient, Dr. Linda Frimer.
Dr. Frimer will present “Evoking Creativity” a lecture and slide presentation featuring her art and her philosophy.
She will discuss the inspiration of our life’s journey, how it colours our unique experience and fuels creativity and the desire to help and to heal.
The Vancouver artist sees art as a form of reconciliation and creativity as a means of expressing the love residing in humanity. She has shared her art to help worthy causes and to reconcile nature and culture for more than 35 years.
In recognition of her artistic, humanitarian, and philanthropic contributions and accomplishments, Linda Frimer received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of the Fraser Valley on June 2, 2016.
This is a free lecture open to UFV faculty, staff, students and to the community.
February 22, 2017
On Pink Shirt Day, UFV President Mark Evered proudly welcomed back guest speaker, and UFV honorary doctorate recipient, Dr. Halldor Bjarnason.
Bjarnason has been a practicing lawyer for 25 years. The cerebral palsy he was born with affects his movement and his speech. As a lawyer, he is an advocate within the system for people with disabilities. He has a thriving practice with Access Law Group.
He is also an elite athlete, competing with the Canadian National Disabled Cycling Team, including at the 1998 and 1992 Paralympics in Seoul and Barcelona.
January 10, 2017
The UFV Student Union society and UFV President Mark Evered proudly welcomed guest speaker Margaret Trudeau on January 10th. The Canadian icon offers an inspirational and practical approach to choosing a healthy, happy, and secure future. She is celebrated both for her role in the public eye and as a respected mental-health issues advocate.
October 12, 2016
We welcomed back to UFV our 2016 honorary degree recipient Dr. George Peary. From India to Whitehorse, Dr. Peary is well-known as a teacher and a community leader. A former Abbotsford mayor, councilor, and school principal, he has always been active in his community – no matter the geographic location – and innovative in his approach to education. In his early years he taught in Whitehorse, Yukon before moving to Abbotsford and eventually earning the role of vice-principal at Abbotsford Senior Secondary, then principal at Maple Ridge Secondary, W.J.Mouat Secondary, Abbotsford Junior Secondary and Yale Secondary.
September 15, 2016
University of the Fraser Valley President Mark Evered and The Coast Capital Savings Peer Resource and Leadership Centre at UFV welcomed guest speaker Benjamin O’Keefe.
He survived bullying and recovered from a suicide attempt. He forced major corporations in America to make big changes. Now he is helping others tell their stories.
O’Keefe is a speaker, writer, and activist who advocates for marginalized groups and encourages young people to find their voice and use their story to create change in the world.
He has appeared on Good Morning America, NPR, and the BBC. He is a contributor to the Huffington Post, The LA Times, The Guardian, and many more publications.
May 1, 2016
We welcomed back UFV Honorary degree recipient, Margo Kane. Movement and expression have defined Margo Kane for more than 40 years during an accomplished professional performance career. Kane is an Aboriginal storyteller, dancer, singer, animator, video and installation artist, producer, director, writer, and teacher who has been active on the Canadian cultural scene for more than four decades.
Mar 30, 2016
We welcomed back to UFV our 2015 honorary doctorate recipient Catherine Hickson. Dr. Hickson was an eyewitness to the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, in the state of Washington a half-day drive from UFV’s Abbotsford campus. This devastating, almost instantaneous destruction of a vast area focused Hickson’s attention on understanding the destructive forces of volcanoes. Dr. Hickson lead an audience of faculty, staff, students, and community members on an exciting exploration of the destructive regions of our planet.
Mar 9, 2016
Understanding the new peacebuilding in an age of violence and terror
UFV proudly welcomed Dr. George Lopez to the Abbotsford campus. Dr. Lopez is a writer and lecturer who has been a leader in developing the peace studies field for more than 30 years. Many pundits and professional politicians suggest global violence, and especially terrorism, is worse than ever, making lasting peace a fantasy. This presentation challenged both claims to demonstrate that there are new pathways to building peace. Pathways requiring the involvement of ‘average’ citizens more than the actions of pundits or politicians in the fight against violence.
Mar 1, 2016
The Power of Storytelling
We welcomed Terry O'Reilly to a sold-out event on the Abbotsford campus. Terry is an award-winning writer, director, marketer, and radio host. He has worked with such notable actors as Alec Baldwin, Ellen Degeneres, Martin Short, and Drew Carey. Terry taught students, faculty, staff, and guests to UFV how to build stroies and gave them the tools to start using storytelling to boost their business. Listen to Terry's show, Under the Influence, on CBC Radio One.
Oct 14, 2015
We welcomed back to UFV our 2015 honorary doctorate recipient Dr. Ginny Dennehy. This mental health advocate overcame the personal tragedy of her son Kelty’s battle with depression and suicide in 2001, followed by the loss of her daughter Riley in 2009. Out of her son’s death came the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation, with a mandate of preventing depression-related suicide in young people. Dr. Dennehy’s personal story is one of turning tragedy into hope and support for others, and of the ongoing importance of education and research into mental health issues for youth.
Feb 2, 2015
Dr. George Siemens returned to UFV to share his insights on the future of post secondary education in the rapidly changing digital environment.
This theorist and researcher on knowledge networks, learning and knowing in the digital age is recognised as a pioneer of open-access online courses. Dr. Siemens will share his insights on the future of education.
Oct 20, 2014
Prolific and colourful Cree artist, writer and UFV honourary degree recipient Dr. George Littlechild returned to UFV to share his reflections on connecting aboriginal culture and spirit through art.
Learn more about this colourful Cree artist and his commitment to reviving Indian culture and traditions through his art.
Oct 6, 2014
UFV honorary degree recipient Charllotte Kwon returned to campus to share her wisdom and experience. Charllotte has combined skills as an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and artist to build Maiwa Handprints, a successful retail business, and support the preservation of traditional textile crafts through the Maiwa Foundation.
Apr 1, 2014
Journalist, producer, science educator and 2013 recipient of a UFV honorary degree returns to campus to talk about the Science Media Centre: where science meets the headlines. View Penny Park Poster.
Mar 26, 2014
Canadian rocker, singer-song writer, actress, motivational speaker and UFV honorary degree recipient returns to campus to talk about positivity and leadership.
Oct 2, 2013
Sleeping with al Qaeda
Robert R (Bob) Fowler is uniquely qualified to discuss al Qaeda threats to Africa and the Western World and implications for Canadian Foreign policy. Fowler was a career diplomat working for the UN as Special Envoy to Niger when he was kidnapped and held hostage for 130 days by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Following his release he published a biographical account of the kidnapping ordeal: A Season in Hell: My 130 Days in the Sahara with al Qaeda.
April 9, 2013
Red Robinson is returning to the University of the Fraser Valley in April, this time in Mission. UFV president Mark Evered, partnering with the Mission Chamber of Commerce, welcomes the legendary Robinson to the Clarke Theatre adjacent to UFV’s Mission campus at Heritage Park Centre, on Tuesday, April 9, at 7 pm. Read more here.
March 12, 2013
Educating the Heart
Not too many people are best known for being a close friend of the Dalai Lama, but Victor Chan can claim that distinction. The Vancouver-based author, visionary, and peace leader is a trustee and founding director of the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education. Based in Vancouver, the centre “educates the heart and fosters... [READ MORE]
Feb 27, 2013
Sheldon Kennedy returned to UFV to bring his personal message of empowering individuals to stand up to bullying and abuse on Pink Shirt day. The... [READ MORE]
Jan 28, 2013
The value of a degree
Although not as famous as Alvin Toffler, Herb O’Heron is Canada’s own educational futurist. Working with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), as Director of Research and Policy Analysis, he analyzes statistics and trends in education and makes predictions for the future of post-secondary education in Canada. O’Heron will be providing his... [READ MORE]
Go to previous years' President's Leadership Lecture Series
For more information, contact betsy.terpsma@ufv.ca