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City of Victoria honorary citizens

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Of 12 people recognized on May 29 with City of Victoria Honorary Citizen awards, five have strong connections to UVic. Congratulations to Murray and Lynda Farmer; Kathy and Ken Shields; and Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe.

2014 CUFA-BC Academic of the Year

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Michael J. Prince, UVic's Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy, received the 2014 CUFA-BC Academic of the Year Award on April 23. Visit uvic.ca/news for UVic's official announcement.

Leadership update, Summer 2014

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Four academic leaders will take new posts on campus this summer, with the appointments of Dr. Catherine Krull as dean of social sciences, Dr. Ralf St. Clair as dean of education, Dr. Bruce Wright as head of medical sciences and Dr. Robina Thomas as the inaugural director of Indigenous academic and community engagement.

Smart oceans

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UVic’s world-leading Ocean Networks Canada embarks on a bold new phase of ocean monitoring. The British Columbia coast is about to become the “smartest” on the planet. Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), an initiative of the University of Victoria, is partnering with Western Economic Diversification Canada and IBM Canada on a three-year multimillion dollar project known as Smart Oceans BC. Smart Oceans BC builds on the know-how and proven technologies of VENUS and NEPTUNE—the world’s most advanced cabled ocean observatories—to develop and install a series of mini-observatories, high-frequency radars, and automated vessel information systems at key points along the BC coast.

Getting smart, in the water

The Ring

The BC coast is about to become the “smartest” on the planet. UVic’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is partnering with Western Economic Diversification Canada and IBM Canada on a three-year multimillion dollar project known as Smart Oceans BC. The project builds on the know-how and technologies of VENUS and NEPTUNE—the world’s most advanced ocean observatories—to develop and install a series of mini-observatories, high-frequency radars, and automated vessel information systems at key points along the BC coast. ONC has already pioneered Smart Ocean Systems on VENUS and NEPTUNE, and on a mini-observatory in Nunavut. “Smart Oceans takes these proven technologies to a whole new level,” says Dr. Kate Moran, ONC president and CEO.

Convocation medals and awards

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Congratulations and best wishes to all convocating students. Read more about Spring Convocation 2014. Governor-General's Gold Medal (best Doctoral thesis) Dr. Andrew Pon PhD, Department of Physics & Astronomy

Far from her comfort zone

The Ring

As recipient of the Jubilee Medal for the Faculty of Science, Liyuan (Leslie) Ren is finishing top of her faculty. Despite earning a near-perfect 9.0 grade average, for Ren, the university experience was about more than just academics. “It was a pretty challenging last five years,” she admits with a smile. “I wasn’t even aware there was an award, so I’m actually pleasantly surprised!” After completing high school in her native China, Ren was determined to move to Canada, learn English and get a university education. She chose UVic for the climate, beauty and size, and because it was a research-based university. “It was the best decision I ever made,” she says confidently.

Life lessons in perseverance

The Ring

UVic law student Ben McConnell will be graduating with a JD (Juris Doctor) degree in June. And like many of his fellow classmates, McConnell worked hard to get to where he is today. The satisfaction of convocation day—the sense of achievement in the face of challenging coursework, long reading lists and intensive research that a law degree demands—is awesome for anyone. McConnell’s path, and his commitment to education, have been distinct and remarkable. In addition to having to contend with the everyday realities of being a law student, McConnell is totally blind—a result of early-onset glaucoma and another serious eye disease that afflicted him during childhood.

Indigenous place names

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Long before settler culture attached the names of explorers, businessmen and political leaders to the mountains, rivers and landscape we now call Vancouver Island, the traditional names used by First Nations carried a wealth of information about those places—information that anthropology student Amy Becker has been working to preserve. Becker, recipient of a 2013-14 Jamie Cassels Undergrad Research Award (JCURA), explains “Indigenous place names are embedded in the culture, landscape, language and identities of the people who use them.”

Commerce grad thrives on change

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Denis Luchyshyn, a first-generation Canadian who moved to Vancouver from Belarus with his pregnant mother when he was seven, credits his adaptability for much of his success. “I attended six or seven different schools growing up,” he explains, “that has had a lot of impact on who I grew up to be. I had to take care of my sister a lot, too, before my dad moved out to Canada as well.” Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business this June, Luchyshyn has already received numerous accolades both at school and in the workplace. At work, he has been acknowledged for achieving high sales goals and having the “Most Positive Attitude.” And at UVic, Luchyshyn competed in Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec, along with classmate Kyle Kozma, and was also on a winning team that presented a mobile app to the United Way.

Theatre grad already in good company

The Ring

Few students would be proud of being called a scam artist, but theatre grad Max Johnson is—just note the alternate spelling. Johnson, who has been working for local professional theatrical company Theatre SKAM since 2011 (associates are charmingly dubbed “SKAM artists”), is graduating this June with a double major in writing and theatre. And the practical experience he learned at Phoenix Theatre has made him a valued member of SKAM’s team.

Witness Blanket and CUVic 2014

Media release

During the CUVic 2014 opening ceremonies, people can view the Witness Blanket -- an art installation created by Kwagiulth artist and Master Carver Carey Newman and inspired by the traditional woven blanket as a symbol of protection and comfort.

CUVic 2014: The Witness Blanket

The Ring

During CUVic 2014 opening ceremonies on the evening of May 20 at UVic, the Witness Blanket—an art installation created by Kwagiulth artist and Master Carver Carey Newman (Ha-yalth-kingeme) and inspired by the traditional woven blanket as a symbol of protection and comfort—was presented for the first time.

Construction begins on expanded transit exchange

Media release

The Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) along with the Government of British Columbia, BC Transit and the University of Victoria are pleased to announce the construction of a 10-bay expansion of UVic transit exchange.

UVic Aero team national competition

The Ring

The UVic AERO Team—40 mechanical, electrical, and computer and software engineering undergrads who design, build and fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones—came away from this year’s national student unmanned aerial systems competition with a third place win in the operational phase category.

Brent Mainprize recognized twice

The Ring

Dr. Brent Mainprize, a professor at the Gustavson School of Business, came up a winner twice in the past month. Most recently, Mainprize garnered a 2014 Desire2Learn Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning from The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and Desire2Learn. Mainprize is one of only five winners nationally.

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