In the Community

VIU launches energy reduction campaign

March 18, 2009

“Every individual has the power to change.” That’s the tag line of a new energy reduction campaign at Vancouver Island University. In partnership with BC Hydro, VIU has hired Energy Manager Daryl Amos to lead a comprehensive Energy Management Program at the university.An official kick-off for the new program takes place the week of April 6. “Energy management is an important component of... Read more


The Stone Gods

March 17, 2009

In On Literature Umberto Eco, considering recipes for writers, writes:  There is no set of rules, or, rather, there are many, varied and flexible rules; and there is no hot magma of inspiration. But it is true that there is a sort of initial idea and that there are very precise phases in a process that develops only gradually. Winterson's novel grows naturally out of that non-recipe. She... Read more


Anthropology students search for VIU stories

March 16, 2009

By Jan Beecher Anthropology professor Helene Demers has started a unique oral history project based on a specific community: Vancouver Island University. The project is part of her third-year anthropology course called Community Oral History. Students are collecting stories from staff, students, faculty and members of the community on all aspects of the university. “Students have been... Read more


VIU art instructor selected to showcase artwork in First Nations museum

March 12, 2009

When Visual Arts professor Gregory Ball visited Haida Gwaii with his 79-year-old father, he never expected to be returning a year later to display his artwork in a prestigious First Nations museum. Ball has been selected to display 12 original drawings during a solo exhibition at the Haida Gwaii Museum at Kay’llnagaay April 17 to May 23. (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) “This is a dream... Read more


Experienced educator joins VIU Education faculty

March 12, 2009

Dr. John Phipps, Assistant Superintendent with Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District #68, will join Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Education as Field Experience Coordinator and Professor in the new Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership program. “We’re thrilled that Dr. Phipps is joining the VIU team,” said VIU president Dr. Ralph Nilson. “With 20-plus years of school based and... Read more


VIU forestry students well funded

March 11, 2009

Jessica Ainsworth is $1,000 richer after receiving a scholarship from the Truck Loggers Association. Ainsworth was one of six VIU forestry students awarded the scholarship for academic and professional achievements. This isn’t the first award Ainsworth’s picked up - last year the second-year student won five scholarships and bursaries, totally about $3,000. So far this year she’s collected $1,... Read more


VIU Media Studies offers free tuition

March 10, 2009

What would you do for $1000 tuition - stand on your head? Make a video? How about just entering a contest? The Media Studies Department at Vancouver Island University (VIU) is announcing its new Bachelor of Arts Major in Digital Media Studies with a contest to win $1000 in free tuition towards Digital Media or Media Studies classes. “We want to encourage students to create media of their own,”... Read more


Grandmother wins national essay competition

March 6, 2009

Catherine O’Rourke gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘life-long learner.’ She has four children and three grandchildren. Her latest claim to fame is winning a national essay competition. “I was surprised and excited when I found out I won,” said O’Rourke, a fourth-year Liberal Studies student at Vancouver Island University. “In my essay, I emphasized that a liberal education is tolerant,... Read more


World class botanist receives Honorary Doctorate from VIU

March 6, 2009

World renowned botanist Dr. Roy L. Taylor will receive a special honor from Vancouver Island University recognizing his extensive work in botany over the past 50 years. Dr. Taylor, one of the founding directors of Milner Gardens & Woodland Society, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from VIU at the convocation ceremony in June. “This award is completely unexpected,” said Dr.... Read more


BCCAA provincials 2009: VIU Mariners epitomize team play en route to perfect 18-0 campaign

March 4, 2009

By Howard TsumuraThe Vancouver Province Even if you had perched Tony Bryce in a crow's nest four months ago, and armed him with the strongest pair of binoculars you could find, the head coach of Nanaimo's Vancouver Island University Mariners would still have had to squint and strain to see a March Madness finish the likes of which his men's basketball team is currently experiencing. Read the... Read more