In the Community

Local basketball duo selected for national mentorship program

December 15, 2009

Maria Kirkbride in her second year as a Assistant Coach of the VIU Women’s Basketball team was awarded $4000 earlier this season in the 2009-10 CCAA Female Apprentice Coach program.  Bill McWhinnie Head Coach of the VIU Women’s Basketball team will be her Mentor Coach.The grant is identified for professional development opportunities in either NCCP or related coach education, and for operational... Read more


VIU students and employees launch ‘good neighbour’ project

December 15, 2009

Students, faculty and staff at Vancouver Island University have big hearts. They are going all out this Christmas season to help families in need. It’s part of a new “Good Neighbours” initiative to forge positive relationships between VIU and the Harewood community. This Christmas season, VIU employees and students have “adopted” 19 families in need from John Barsby, Nanaimo District Secondary... Read more


Christmas Magic continues at VIU’s Milner Gardens and Woodland

December 11, 2009

Christmas Magic at Milner Gardens and Woodland features the Cantando Chamber Singers this evening (Friday) and Starlight Reverie on Saturday. Both performances start at 6 pm in the main house.  On Sunday, actor Douglas Fisher will read A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas. The two readings will be at 6 pm and 7:30 pm.  In between the readings, there will be a performance by the Culacino... Read more


Graphic design students display creative talents

December 10, 2009

Creative juices were flowing in a graphic design class at Vancouver Island University during a unique marketing project initiated by VIU's International Education department. Graphic design instructor Nancy Pagé asked students in her Imagery class to come up with innovative design ideas for products that could be used as giveaways to prospective international students. VIU's International... Read more


Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island launches cookbook

December 9, 2009

Talented Vancouver Island University students, alumni and instructors serve up a tantalizing mix in Recipes from the Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island at VIU. “A few students came up with the idea of producing the cookbook as a fundraiser,” said instructor Debbie Shore. The project expanded to feature favourite recipes of students, faculty and graduates. The $20 book includes dishes from... Read more


Gift of education is always welcome

December 9, 2009

Just in case you haven’t completed your Christmas shopping, there are dozens of continuing education courses at Vancouver Island University that make ideal gifts for everyone from budding birdwatchers to Broadway musical fans. Courses are priced to fit most budgets -– from the $10 Lazy Angler Fishing School at the Powell River campus to Renaissance Florence: A Cultural Tour for $3,295 held in... Read more


VIU Engineering fairs challenge high school students

December 7, 2009

The Department of Physics and Engineering at Vancouver Island University is pleased to continue its 3rd Annual Engineering Fair competition with two all-day events on December 8 and 9. These events introduce Grade 11 physics students to engineering practice through a design competition and interaction with local engineering firms. Schools within District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), 69 (Parksville-... Read more


First Nation students win Canada Post Award

December 7, 2009

Balancing school and raising young children is never an easy task.  Nanaimo students Wanda Good and Jennifer White made it happen with unwavering determination and drive.  In spite of challenging life circumstances, both women have distinguished themselves as strong role models in their community.  Their ability to persevere and their contribution to their family and community are being... Read more


VIU physical education student lands dream volunteer job at the Olympics

December 4, 2009

When Canada’s men’s and women’s hockey teams pursue gold at the Winter Olympics, Vancouver Island University physical education student Luke Couture will be as close to the action as you can get without  being in the lineup. Couture, 19, of St. John, New Brunswick is a volunteer on the ice crew at Canada Place – known outside the Feb. 12-28 Olympic period as GM Place. “I’ll be cleaning the ice... Read more


VIU students spread Christmas spirit

December 2, 2009

By Michael Briones Kindness, generosity and the simple act of caring are qualities we can expect from a group of future leaders at Vancouver Island University. The Sport, Health and Physical Education (Shape) Applied Leadership class of professor Les Malbon has recently shown an admirable act of kindness that will help bring smiles to homeless people in Nanaimo and Comox Valley this Christmas... Read more