Chilliwack – The second annual St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community, brings together members of the university community and guests from throughout the Fraser Valley. A signature initiative led by the Vice-President Community Engagement (VPCE) Portfolio, this program serves as a unique celebration of – and with – the vibrant community that is at the heart of UFV.
This Celebration of Community was held at the Agriculture Centre of Excellence, located at the Canada Education Park Chilliwack campus, on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
VP of Community Engagement, Susan Mide Kiss was the MC.
Among the accolades were recognition of former UFV alimni and their financial and personal contributions to continuing education at the Campus.
UFV Grad, Raylene Mumford of the Free Store, which aids Indigenous elders with food and supplies, was presented with the Betty Urquhart Award.
UPDATE from UFV:The University of the Fraser Valley’s picturesque Chilliwack campus hosted St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community on September 26. More than 250 friends and partners gathered for an evening of food, fun and celebration with UFV President Dr. Joanne MacLean thanking attendees for their continued support of UFV and its students.
As UFV marks its 50th anniversary, MacLean said the university wouldn’t be the wonderful place of learning that it’s become without them.
“Community is who and what we are, and what makes community is people,” she said. “Our community helps us, and pushes us, to live up to our core values of inclusivity, integrity, excellence, and community. Our community’s generosity helps us provide opportunities for students to learn and to grow, to discover and to open their minds to new ideas, to new perspectives, and to new ways of knowing.
“Every day I hear inspiring stories about the commitment and ingenuity across all our campuses. We want to recognize the contributions of our valued community partners and many supporters who helped make these inspiring stories possible.”
The program showcased some of UFV’s most treasured community-driven initiatives, many of which were chronicled in the newly published St’elt’elawtexw Community Report. Students, faculty, staff, and community partners hosted a range of immersive showcases at the celebration, offering attendees a window into the impactful work that’s being done at the university.
UFV announced three new partnerships at the celebration.
Auguston Town Developments Inc. recently pledged $80,000 to fund agriculture research, and student and community engagement opportunities through UFV’s Food and Agriculture Institute.
Coast Capital’s gift of $125,000 will support an inclusion and equity strategy that addresses the needs of non-traditional students in the trades.
And Prospera Credit Union and the Prospera Foundation are investing $500,000 into student wellness programming over the next three years, ensuring that peer support is more available than ever.
Longtime partners and supporters were also recognized with commemorative paddles at the UFV Ripple Makers reception. Loyalty paddles recognize people and organizations with more than 15 years of giving. Recipients this year include UFV’s Dr. Garry Fehr, Associate Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies, along with wife Sandra Fehr, Dr. Alisa Webb, Vice President Students, Baker Newby Lawyers LLP, Quantum Properties, and the Credit Union Foundation of B.C.
UFV also celebrated a wonderful community leader with the Betty Urquhart Community Service Award. This year’s award went to The Free Store Chilliwack, which partners with local farms to ensure that food waste is minimized. UFV alumna Raylene Mumford (Dip ’98) and a community of volunteers make sure surplus produce, meat, dairy, bread, and non-perishables are provided to more than 100 families in need each weekend at no charge, and with no questions or judgements.
The UFV Alumni Association presented three awards at the celebration.
Adam Currie (who graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a certificate in Professional Communitions) received the Distinguished Alumni award, recognizing his support of B.C.’s healthcare system as Director of Executive and Senior Leadership Aquisition at Fraser Health.
Keenan Beavis (who graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration), received the Young Distinguished Alumni award, recognizing the tremendous success of Longhouse Media, a marketing company he founded in 2017 that has supported the growth of more than 500 businesses.
And Jada McIntyre, who received the Outstanding Student Leadership award. Jada, who graduated in June with a Bachelor of Social Work, has committed herself to creating inclusive environments, and led the development of a peer case management program that is being used at universities across North America.
