VIU's Milner Gardens and Woodland in the news: Gardening as child's play
April 20, 2012
By Steve Whysall Vancouver Sun In the lush coastal woodland at Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, children are being taught how to remember the proper Latin names of plants in a particularly creative and memorable way. First, they make a Harry Potter wand out of fresh cut and peeled alder and then they approach a plant and pronounce its name out loud as if casting a magic... Read more
Fundraising dinner supports Student Refugee Program at VIU
April 17, 2012
The Vancouver Island University WUSC (World University Service of Canada) Local Committee is gearing up to host its largest annual fundraiser, the Harambee Gala Dinner. Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Student Refugee Program at VIU. “The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is a truly unique initiative”, says local committee Communications Chair, Gabrielle Bishop. “For over 30... Read more
Love of schooling grew slowly for First Nations graduate
April 16, 2012
Lelaina Jules has always loved learning. It just took a while for her to warm up to education in a classroom setting. “As I was growing up, I didn’t have a good relationship with school. I did it to pass time,” she said recently. It’s obvious that relationship has changed. Jules was describing her educational journey during her valedictory address for the Aboriginal Graduation Recognition... Read more
Warming up for exams
April 13, 2012
First-year Vancouver Island University student Josh Dieleman plays bagpipes to “kill time” before an exam Friday on music history. Dieleman’s usual musical focus on campus is jazz drumming. Final examinations at VIU continue until April 23. Read more
Creative Writing instructor’s novel shortlisted for Leacock medal
April 12, 2012
Creative Writing instructor Susan Juby's novel, The Woefield Poultry Collective, has been shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. The winner of the prize will be announced April 26. “Being nominated for a Leacock is a tremendous honour because so many of my literary heroes have been Leacock winners and I'm proud to be associated with our fine tradition of funny Canadian writers,”... Read more
VIU grad achieves international success studying parasites
April 11, 2012
“Immense pride.” That’s what Vancouver Island University Biology professor Dr. Tim Goater felt when he opened a recent issue of Nature magazine. A research article in the prestigious international science journal was written by one of his former students, Dr. Aaron Jex. Jex grew up in Nanaimo, attended John Barsby Secondary and VIU, and now is an award-winning scientist working at the... Read more
Students showcase mapping skills on Friday the 13th
April 11, 2012
Students in the Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications program deliver a final presentation summarizing their practicum projects to their fellow students, instructors, sponsors and the VIU community at-large Friday, April 13. The Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications program at Vancouver Island University provides skills training in geographic information systems, a mapping system that uses... Read more
Clock turns back at Milner Gardens Camellia Tea Room
April 4, 2012
Dedicated volunteers, staff and consultants at Milner Gardens and Woodland have been busy putting the finishing touches on a mid-winter project to shed the 1960s feel of the popular Camellia Tea Room and restore its original 1930s ambience. The much-used wall-to-wall carpet in the main serving area has been taken out and the original edge-grain Douglas fir flooring has been sanded and refinished... Read more
Award-winning journalist speaks at VIU April 5
April 4, 2012
Curtis Gillespie, novelist, journalist, and three-time National Magazine Award winner, and now co-editor of Canada’s newest cultural magazine, Eighteen Bridges, is the guest speaker at Vancouver Island University Liberal Studies department's year-end spring conference. Gillespie will deliver the keynote address (which is open to the public) on Thursday, April 5 at 10:30 am at the Nanaimo campus... Read more
In the news: VIU prof and students going to Ghana
April 3, 2012
By Jenn McGarrigle Nanaimo News Bulletin A conversation under a large tree in the middle of a town in north western Ghana has led to a long-term partnership between a Vancouver Island University professor and the town. Aggie Weighill, in the recreation and tourism department, is leading a field school in Ghana this year. The long-term objective of the field school is to help the town of... Read more