What's New with VIU's Alumni?

Powell River Oyster Fest

It’s the 27th anniversary of Powell River’s famous Oyster Fest, Friday, April 13, 6pm. Tickets are $45. As well as a fresh oyster bar you'll enjoy a four-course meal prepared by VIU Culinary students which includes an assortment of in-house baked breads; a cold seafood plate; oysters five ways: Champagne-Leek, Indonesian, Curried, Rockefeller, Casino, and “Po-Boy”; crusted filet of Lois Lake steelhead with lime pesto, three grain rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables; warm fruit strudel with vanilla bean ice cream. Doors will open at 6pm and dinner service will begin at 6:30. Phone 604.483.7967 to reserve.

VIU's Climate Change Symposium

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the issue of climate change or found yourself dazed and confused by conflicting information? If so, the Awareness of Climate change through Education and Research (ACER) group invites you to attend “The Future of Climate Change: Navigating the Science in a Changing Political Climate” - a one day symposium on the Nanaimo campus of Vancouver Island University on Tuesday, Feb 21st in the Arts & Science Building (B355). This event is open to students, faculty and members of the general public free of charge starting at 9 am.

VIU's Graphic Design Students Fundraiser for Year End Show

Celebrate the end of prohibition --more than 80 years later -- at the End of Prohibition Party being organized by VIU's Graphic Design students on Friday, February 17, 7pm at ACME Restaurant downtown Nanaimo. It's all in support of their end of year BLOCK PARTY on April 13th, 5pm-7pm, also in downtown Nanaimo, where they'll be exhibiting the great projects they've been working on in VIU's Graphic Design program.

Congratulations to VIU's Newest Alumni

grad_2012 We'd like to welcome the more than 200 graduates, who recently completed their degrees, to VIU's Alumni Association. Many of you celebrated at the convocation ceremonies on February 9 & 10. To relive the moment, or if your friends and family couldn't make it, you can watch it online or check out pictures from the ceremonies. We'd also like to remind you that even though you've graduated your connection to VIU will remain. Join our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter networks or register with the office and receive Journey, the free bi-annual alumni magazine and our bi-monthly enewsletter.

Volunteer Opportunity

Academics for Higher Education and Development (AHED) is searching for a volunteer who is an expert in primary science education and is interested in working on a project at the University of Makeni (UMAK) in Sierra Leone. The project is focused on upgrading the ability of faculty members so they can teach primary school teachers how to teach science with the goal of establishing additional capacity at Makeni University in the field of teacher education.

Fellowship opportunity

The VIU Institute for Coastal Research (ICR) has just announced a new Vancouver Island University ICR Fellows Program open to any applicant with expertise and/or interest in BC coastal resource management issues. Applications for the Institute for Coastal Research Fellows Program will be received twice each year, March 1 and October 1. Each fellowship opportunity is for up to one year in length. Up to $2,500 is available per fellowship.

Convocation goes live!

VIU's Convocation goes live. If you know someone who is graduating from VIU on February 9, 2012 at 2:30 pm or February 10, 2012 at 2:30 pm but can't make the ceremony then you can watch them online at VIU's Convocation Live site.

Follow us on Twitter

VIU's Alumni Association now has a Twitter account. Follow us @VIU_Alumni.

VIU Alumni now has own YouTube Channel

Upload, view, and share your stories by posting your own YouTube videos.

Alumni in the News

Michael Bortolotto (Assoc. in Applied Arts & Science-Recreation Admin. '89) is husband, father, and inspirational public speaker who has Cerebral Palsy. He teaches and challenges his audience through his own life's example by sharing uplifting stories of his own personal triumph over physical, mental and social obstacles.

Alumnus presents $50,000 donation to Shq'apthut, A Gathering Place

calder_donation_gathering_place VIU Alumnus Graham Calder of Great-West Life and its subsidiary company London Life presents VIU's Chancellor Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, and Director of Aboringial Education Sharon Hobenshield, with a $50,000 donation to the second phase of the Shq’apthut, A Gathering Place. The first phase of the new Aboriginal cultural and community centre recently opened on the Nanaimo campus and donations are still being sought for the second phase of the project.