UFV 50
UFV 50
For Evan Wiens, dentistry goes beyond perfecting smiles—it’s about giving back through mentorship and community service. A 2006 graduate of UFV’s Bachelor of Science program and recipient of the 2013 Young Distinguished Alumni Award, Evan balances his dentistry practice, leadership roles in dental organizations, and his family of four.
Dr. Bonnie Reilly Schmidt has been a pioneer, not once, but twice. As part of the first generation of women to serve as members of the RCMP and later as a scholar documenting their experiences through her doctoral research, Bonnie first discovered her passions at what was then the University College of the Fraser Valley.
Bonnie Reilly Schmidt wrote the book on women’s experience in the RCMP »
Tracey Vanderaegen-Jones credits UFV with giving her the foundational skills for a successful 30-year nursing career. Now, she has taken the expertise she gained through her education and experience and uses it to save lives in organ recovery.
Tracey Vanderaegen-Jones went from nursing to saving lives in organ recovery »
It’s a long journey from refugee to Federal Court judge, and UFV was an important step along the way for Justice Shirzad Ahmed. At the age of 18 Shirzad was a political exile from Kurdistan. He gained temporary refuge in Italy and a permanent home in Canada.
As the daughter of Romanian immigrants who arrived in Canada during her childhood, Julie Czeck saw her family navigate the complexities of adapting to a new country. Despite the challenges they faced, the unwavering support from the community, including social-support organizations, was essential to their journey.
Lived experience fuels Julie Czeck’s pursuit of social justice »
With over 40 years in the financial sector, Gus Hartl has seen significant changes in the industry, but his core principles of leadership and community involvement have remained constant. Graduating from UFV’s business administration program in the early 1980s, Gus was part of only the second class to complete the diploma program.
Gus Hartl built a career in banking on leadership, community service »
Dr. Lisa Kelly teaches her law students at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario with confidence and compassion, qualities instilled in her as an undergraduate at UFV (then the University College of the Fraser Valley) in the early 2000s. Completing a two-year Associate of Arts degree at UFV before embarking on a multi-institution academic journey...
Lisa Kelly’s long academic journey sparked by inspiration in UFV classes »
From his days as a business student at UFV to becoming the founder of one of Canada’s fastest-growing accounting firms, Alex McAulay’s journey is a true testament to entrepreneurial spirit and community connection. His career, marked by both impressive successes and significant challenges, serves as an inspiring story to highlight how hard work and strong connections can propel a person forward...
It isn’t the life she envisioned when she chose a soldier as her partner, but Debbie Greene has embraced the life she shares with husband Trevor. Debbie and Trevor had already welcomed baby Grace when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2006. Trevor was well-suited for his assignment as an emissary, travelling to remote Afghan villages to meet with elders...
Debbie Greene’s lived experience led to advocacy for veterans »
Through careers spanning from IT to agriculture, one constant runs through Jason Lum’s professional life – his absolutely unwavering commitment to community. As a four-term councillor with the City of Chilliwack, Jason has dedicated his political career to grassroots advocacy, striving to make positive changes for the people of the Fraser Valley.
For many people, earning a PhD means they have plans for a career in academia, pursuing their research interests and teaching the next generation of scholars. Dr. Tanya Jonker had other ideas. While she loved her university studies, she was intrigued by opportunities and revolutionary developments in the private sector.
Tanya Jonker says understanding how we think will help AI to help us »
From his humble beginnings in Abbotsford to his current role in Brussels, Shawn Neumann’s journey from the UCFV classrooms of the 1990s to the global stage is a testament to lifelong learning.
Shawn Neumann is leading global change with a legacy of learning »
Some artists struggle for years in obscurity. A few find fame and glory young, their talents celebrated, their work snapped up by collectors who pay top dollar to acquire a piece or two. Chris Woods falls into that latter category; his extraordinary talent gained attention just as he was beginning his career.
Chris Woods’ artistic vision endures decades after early fame »
Award-winning film and TV producer Mary Anne Waterhouse started out in the theatre, treading the boards at Fraser Valley College as an acting student in 1984. She had her sights set on a career as an actor, but after transferring to the University of British Columbia in 1986, she had an epiphany that changed her direction.
Mary Anne Waterhouse makes a difference through TV And film »
Dr. Dave Dhat is a busy man on many fronts. As a trauma and emergency physician at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, he puts in long shifts caring for people at their time of greatest need, managing heavy patient demand and whatever medical emergencies bring them to his door.
There’s always something new to learn, and usually a powerful story to tell. At least that’s what Crown Counsel Kathleen McIntosh has found. Kathleen, who earned a BA in Criminal Justice in 2002 from what was then UCFV, has been a Crown Prosecutor in Surrey for more than 17 years.
In 1988, when Rebecca Anderson started her post-secondary education at Fraser Valley College at the age of 27, she developed a personal mantra: one course at a time.
When Rob O’Brennan started at the Fraser Valley Regional Library, he wouldn’t have guessed he would become its CEO. But that’s how it turned out, and Fraser Valley College helped him get there.
When Peter Eppinga was a young boy growing up on Haida Gwaii, his parents told him he could do great things. "This is where I learned the fundamentals on how to be successful in school. It was my father who bought me a medical book when I was in Grade 3 and my mother said I was smart because I ate fish!...
Dr. Peter Eppinga encourages youth to embrace healthy lifestyles »
UFV gave Terry-Lynn Stone a springboard into a meaningful career in her 40s. Three decades later, she continues to contribute to her community through volunteerism.
Sherry Mumford’s story proves that it’s never too late to learn something new, and it’s never too late to make a difference in your community. Sherry was a mature student and a mom when she came to UFV in the 90s.
Jennifer Owen experienced the scientific discovery of a lifetime — an amazing and remarkable event. And now, she shares the excitement of discovery with undergraduate students...
Stu Chahal’s time at UFV allowed him to gain expertise and experience in both business and computing—something that has served him well. Launching his career with Cisco Systems, an IT industry giant focused mostly on networking infrastructure such as routers and switches, in 2019 he transferred his talents to Splunk...
For theatre graduate Ken Hildebrandt, one art evokes another. “Staging a production is not just having actors moving around the stage,” he says. “The stage is essentially a canvas, and you are ‘painting’ with actors, set, lighting, costumes, et cetera, and applying the sense of line, mass, form, shape.” This is a lesson learned from Ian Fenwick – UFV’s Theatre program head while Ken was a student.
Ken Hildebrandt engages Abbotsford audiences with thought-provoking theatre »
Surround yourself with good people, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Those are the two biggest lessons Shelley Besse has learned during a 38-year career with First West Credit Union — better known in the Fraser Valley through its local brand, Envision Financial ...
Dave Lanphear has had a successful career in financial services. With nearly 25 years at Envision Financial, he climbed the ladder from working the front desk, to financial advisor, all the way to president...
Dave Lanphear builds on his success by following his passions »
It was in a UFV counsellor’s office at the age of 17 that Andy Thompson decided he would be an actor. Since that pivotal appointment with Dave Birkett, this alum has been following his art, and his heart.
Studying at University of the Fraser Valley helped Darren Penner prepare for a career as lawyer. It also helped shape the kind of lawyer he would be: one who puts compassion ahead of compensation. Like many students, Darren planned to complete only two years at what was then University College of the Fraser Valley before…
Myrtle-Anne Rempel has long been a community leader in Abbotsford. She’s not the type who runs for office or heads a company–although she helped run her husband’s business ventures– rather, she’s the kind who shows up and is present, as an advocate for arts and culture, and charitable causes.
Amar Kingra joined the Abbotsford Police Department (formerly Matsqui Police) in 1981 as its first visible minority and spent 34 years in the eastern Fraser Valley before calling it a career in 2015. He was the APD’s longest serving member and had attained the rank of Staff Sargeant when he retired. “I was the only…
Three-term city Councillor Kelly Chahal has a storied career in Abbotsford. In addition to her decades as a probation officer, she chairs the city’s public safety committee, participates in the Purple Lights Campaign -- part of the violence against women in relationships committee (VAWIR) -- and she is part of the Empower Goddess group which…
Kelly Chahal continues to grow herself, and help others grow »
What is your favourite type of rose? It’s the one question Brad Jalbert dislikes more than any other. “It’s like being asked to choose which is your favourite child,” he says with a groan. “They’re all my favourites.” And they really are like children. There are tens of thousands of varieties of roses in the…
What a difference a decade can make. 10 short years ago, Matt Loewen was in Botswana, Africa with an organization called Kings Active Foundation, a group that leverages sports to enrich the lives of young people, while at the same time helping them to find and fulfill their potential. Today, Loewen, who was named one…
Matt Loewen brings his lifelong passion for service back home »
Of the 50,000 alumni who have graduated from a UFV program since 1974, 17,000 of those have earned a four-year bachelor’s degree. But if it weren’t for a determined group of students and community members who advocated for degree-granting status in 1991, UFV might still be a two-year college. Jackie Rea was one of the students…
Jackie Rea helped forge a path for thousands of degree students »
Stacey Irwin was a leader on day one. And she hasn’t stopped since. Irwin (BBA ’97) co-founded the UCFV Alumni Association and sat as its first chair -- a position she held until 2008 -- but her contributions didn’t end there, thanks to an incredible commitment to community, driven by three principles of success: be…