In the Community

Visiting Artist series set to launch at VIU

October 23, 2008

Connie Watts will the be the first artist to visit Vancouver Island University as part of the Fall 2008 Visiting Artist Series. Watts is a mixed media artist of Nuu-Cha-Nulth, Kwakwaka’wakwa and Gitxsan ancestry from the West Coast of Vancouver Island. “Having the opportunity to showcase an important, emerging aboriginal artist from British Columbia will be of great interest to VIU’s... Read more


VIU Creative Writing Alumnus self-publishes first book

October 22, 2008

Sometimes the difference between possible and impossible lies in determination. For Howard Smith, a former VIU creative writing student, determination has helped him accomplish his dream of publishing a book of poetry despite odds stacked against him. Smith, a member of the Haisla Nation, lives in a small village outside the City of Kitimat. He recently self-published a book of poetry titled "... Read more


VIU Student Making a Difference with United Nations Environment Program

October 21, 2008

Vancouver Island University (VIU) student, Christine Loscerbo has been chosen as one of 20 North American student volunteers for the United Nation’s "Kick the Carbon Habit" Education Campaign Youth Network. The campaign aims to make a dent in climate change by educating people on how to lower their carbon consumption. A student in VIU’s Green Building & Renewable Energy Technician program,... Read more


Graphic design grad wins provincial design contest

October 20, 2008

Josh Nychuk is $10,000 richer. He designed the winning logo for the provincial government’s LiveSmart BC program. Nychuk, a recent graduate from Vancouver Island University, said the money will come in handy. “I’m paying off some loans and plan to travel to Europe or Asia,” he said.  “I was thrilled to win the contest, especially since there were 140-plus entries from student designers in BC... Read more


Eve Joseph Reads at Poets on Campus

October 17, 2008

Eve Joseph is the next reader in Vancouver Island University’s Poets on Campus series. Joseph will read at 4 pm in the Library Writing Centre (fourth floor of the library, building 305) at the Nanaimo campus on Monday, Oct. 20. “I've heard Eve Joseph read several times and have been struck by the power and wisdom of her poetry,” said Marilyn Bowering, Creative Writing instructor and coordinator... Read more


Strong presence for VIU at World Leisure Congress

October 16, 2008

Vancouver Island University is hoping to become an international centre of excellence in leisure studies. Faculty members in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management including Nicole Vaugeois, Dan McDonald and Robert Pfister attended the 10th World Leisure Congress in Quebec to present the idea of offering a Master’s in Leisure and Sustainability Degree at VIU. Dr. Ralph Nilson, VIU... Read more


VIU students receive $5000 scholarships

October 16, 2008

Four Vancouver Island University students were each recently awarded a $5000 Ike Barber transfer scholarship. These scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students who have completed two years at a public post-secondary institution in BC and are transferring to another degree-granting institution in BC to complete their degrees. Vanessa Hitchcock, a Liberal Studies student at VIU... Read more


International development speakers' series launched at VIU

October 15, 2008

Global Village Nanaimo and the Global Studies program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are launching an exciting international development speakers' series called "What's Going on?" The series of free public lectures begins Tuesday, October 21, 7 to 9 pm, at VIU with guest speaker Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Professor Emeritus, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of BC. Founder and... Read more


MBA student interns making big impact in business

October 14, 2008

A unique student internship program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) is making a big impact in the business world. Sixty students in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program recently completed four-month internships for high profile companies and organizations, including the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, Meyers Norris Penny Chartered Accounts, Nanaimo Airport Commission, the... Read more


Sick Feeling Turns Dangerous

October 14, 2008

After experiencing a heart attack last year, Diane Shipclark, an administrative assistant in Vancouver Island University’s office of the Vice President Administration & Finance, can add “survivor” to her resume. Shipclark was an independent, outgoing 56-year-old, so when she decided to go camping by herself one weekend in July 2007, it wasn’t out of character. When she left for her trip she... Read more