Betty Urquhart Community Service Award

Celebrating local changemakers

The Betty Urquhart Community Service Award recognizes a person or a collective who has made an extraordinary contribution to a community in the Fraser Valley. This annual award is an essential part of UFV's commitment to changing lives and building community.

See past award recipients

Who should we recognize next?

Know an outstanding individual, group, or organization who goes above and beyond to help build, shape, or enrich our community? Help us honor their achievement by nominating them for the UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service Award.

Submission deadline

You can submit your nomination until 11:59 PST on May 17, 2026.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award, the nominee must be:

an individual
a group of volunteers
a not-for-profit organization

located in the Fraser Valley.

Assessment criteria

The project or series of projects for which the recipient is being nominated must meet the following criteria:

The project must demonstrate UFV’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its communities.

The project must have had a significant impact on the community.

The recipient of the award must have played a major role in the planning and implementation of the project.

The project must have been undertaken at least partially as a volunteer endeavor and not as part of anyone’s salaried or contractual obligations.

The project must have taken place at least partially during the last 12 months.

Nomination guidelines

To be eligible to nominate, you must be located in the Fraser Valley or affiliated with UFV.
Your nomination package must explain how the nominee meets each of the five assessment criteria and should include supporting documentation.

Before you submit your nomination

Ensure your nominee is eligible for the award
Read the assessment criteria
Decide whether to create the nomination package on your own or collaborate with a partner or a group.

Nominate someone today

Nomination deadline: 11:59 pm PST on May 17, 2026

Nomination form

Questions?

Please contact Alysia.Wood@ufv.ca

Review process and selection

The award selection committee — led by UFV president or a designate — consists of three members appointed annually by the Board of Governors.

Typically, only one award is given out each year.

Award presentation and recognition

The award will be given to the winner at a public event hosted by the university. The recipient will also receive a monetary prize to donate to the charity of their choice.

The names and projects of the award recipients will be displayed on campus and on the UFV website.

Did you know?

This award is named in honour of Betty Urquhart, one of UFV’s first employees who strongly believed in volunteering and giving back to the community. While Betty passed away in 1995, UFV wants to keep her memory alive by giving this award to people who show the same kind of dedication to life-long learning and helping others.

2025 recipient

Greg Elford

Greg Elford led efforts to revitalize a historic building in downtown Mission, turning it into a vibrant community-oriented space. In the process, he helped breathe new life into the heart of the city. The Hougen Block Project is a case study in community building and collaboration, and it’s a big reason why UFV has recognized Greg with the 2025 Betty Urquhart Award.

Greg’s work touches people from all walks of life — creating spaces where individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs feel seen, supported, and connected. His commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate community reflects the spirit of Betty’s legacy.

Before its transformation, the Hougen Block building was underutilised. Today, it’s a bustling hub for arts, entrepreneurship, and community gathering — fostering cultural connections and sparking downtown revitalization. But the project goes beyond one restored building. Greg’s team uses the profits from property management, matched by grants, to fund and facilitate charitable initiatives across Mission. Each year, the Hougen Block Project supports five Mission-based organizations, working with them to spread awareness and raise funds.

View all past recipients since 1992