In the Community

City of Nanaimo Advisory: Bowen Road Project Set to Begin

February 17, 2011

The Bowen Road widening and Quarterway Bridge project will get underway in March 2011. This will be one of the largest infrastructure improvement projects that the City has undertaken. It is scheduled to be complete late fall 2012. The impacted stretch of Bowen Road carries between thirteen (13,000) to sixteen (16,000) thousand vehicles a day and is a critical route for many people as they make... Read more


Ugly Sweater Week promotes energy conservation at VIU

February 14, 2011

Students, faculty, staff and administrators are making a fashion statement at VIU this week. Ugly Sweater Week is not just an opportunity to wear ugly, tacky, crazy, wacky, retro, techno or comfy sweaters to campus, says Michele Patterson, Manager, Environment and Sustainability for Facilities Services/Campus Development at VIU. “It’s a fun and highly visible way to highlight VIU’s commitment... Read more


Medal sweep for VIU Culinary students

February 12, 2011

Four students from Vancouver Island University showcased their award-winning culinary arts skills at the 15th annual BC Chefs Hot Competition LIVE! in Vancouver recently. Students James Hannah, Alex Formosa, Carlos Cordeiro De Mello Neto and Adriana Purdie brought home a Grand Gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal respectively. As the overall winner, Hannah received $500. “It was a... Read more


VIU soccer program scores at Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards

February 8, 2011

The VIU Mariners men’s soccer team was selected Team of the Year and Sports Story of the Year at the Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards on Feb. 5. Coach Bill Merriman, who guided the team to national glory with the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association championship last fall, won High-Performance Coach of the Year. “It was a big year for soccer and it’s great to see Bill and the team get the... Read more


VIU mourns the loss of beloved Elder Mavis Wyse

February 8, 2011

Vancouver Island University is among the many organizations and communities mourning the loss of Snuneymuxw First Nation Elder Mavis Wyse. Wyse was a popular Elder-in-Residence at VIU’s Cowichan Campus. She passed away unexpectedly Friday Feb 4. “The faculty, staff, students and administration at VIU are heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend and Elder Mavis Wyse,” said VIU President... Read more


Poets on Campus welcomes critically acclaimed poet Erín Moure for a Valentine’s Day reading

February 7, 2011

Governor General’s Award-winning poet Erín Moure will read at Vancouver Island University Monday, Feb. 14, at 4 pm. The event takes place in the Nanaimo Campus Library Writing Centre, and is open to the public. Admission is by donation. Following the readings, there will be cookies, coffee and conversation. Moure is a Montreal poet whose work, considered experimental, has received several... Read more


VIU music student builds on success of Victoria Idol win

February 7, 2011

2011 has started off on a strong note—make that several strong notes—for Vancouver Island University music student Sydney Needham. The Victoria-raised singer took first place in the recent Victoria Idol competition held at the 1,400-seat Royal Theatre. Later in January, she performed as part of the Needham Wigmore Band in Victoria at Hermann’s Jazz Club, a popular venue where the 21-year-old... Read more


VIU focuses on International Development

February 1, 2011

The public is invited to help celebrate International Development Week (IDW) at Vancouver Island University Feb. 7 to 11. Highlights include interactive cultural displays, a children’s global art show, a student photo display, information booths, and presentations by VIU students about their exciting international experiences around the world, and more. “Our theme for the week-long celebration... Read more


Chinese students celebrate Year of the Rabbit at VIU

February 1, 2011

Chinese students at Vancouver Island University will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with their annual Lunar New Year Party on Friday, Feb. 4. Festivities, including performances, games and refreshments, will be held in Malaspina Theatre (Building 310 on the Nanaimo campus) from 5:30 to 8 pm. In the past, the event was held in the Richard W. Johnston Centre for International Education, but it... Read more


Speaker focuses on inappropriate Images of Indigenous people

January 28, 2011

On Friday, Feb. 4, Dr. Keith Smith will give a talk "On Black Hawks, Pontiacs, and Crazy Horse Malt Liquor: The Policy and Cultural Relations Implications of Constructed Images." His presentation is part of the Arts and Humanities Colloquium series and will take place in the Boardroom of Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus Library (Bldg. 305, R. 507) from 10 to 11:30 am. The event is... Read more