June 22, 2023 - 2:45pm
#VIUGrad, new ways of learning to read and more
On Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23, more than 1,200 Vancouver Island University graduates will cross the stage at the VIU gym (Building 190 on the Nanaimo campus) to receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates. Ceremony schedule:
- Thursday, June 22: 10 am and 2:30 pm
- Friday, June 23: 10 am and 2:30 pm
- Honorary degree recipients (Randle Jones in absentia)
Learn more about Convocation details for grads.
Featured experts
New research on learning to read
Learning to read and write changes the architecture of the brain, but learning to read is not natural. Our brains are designed for speech and in order to learn to read and write we must rearrange our brains. Dr. Ana Viera, a VIU Education Professor, says now more than ever, literacy is a major social justice issue. She says teachers are facing a crisis post-COVID in trying to help students catch up after learning was interrupted. She’s launching a new Literacy, Language and Learning Graduate diploma this summer to support teachers in teaching students this important skill.
World Refrigeration Day
Matthew Beck, chair of VIU’s Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Mechanic program, is taking his students to Victoria on June 26 to see the site of the first mechanical ice production in BC and to watch the proclamation for World Refrigeration Day read by the City of Victoria. He is available to share knowledge about the importance of refrigeration and new refrigeration technologies in lowering carbon emissions.
Pride Month experts
- Dr. KJ Reed, a Studies in Women and Gender Professor, researches how transgender, non-binary and other gender creative youth understand and experience privacy, and make gender and sexual orientation disclosure decisions.
- Dr. Marni Stanley, Dean of VIU’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, is available to talk about Pride Month and why it matters.
VIU in the news
End of life support
VIU Social Work Professor Dr. Carmen Lavoie had been interested in the end-of-life process for a while. It was her own cancer diagnosis that really made things come into focus. Now, Lavoie is getting set to launch a new end-of-life doula course this fall. Listen to her interview on People First Radio.
Athletic Director of the Year
VIU’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, Danielle Hyde, made the news last week after being named the 2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s athletic director of the year. Read VIU athletic director tops off huge year with CCAA’s top honour.
Domestic violence and brain injuries
Up to 90 per cent of people surviving intimate partner violence experience a brain injury. VIU researcher Dr. Sandy Shultz wants to change treatment for brain injury after intimate partner violence. His research was recently featured by Michael Smith Health Research BC: Survivors shape research on brain injury after intimate partner violence
Alum is Vancouver's first senior director of Indigenous relations
VIU alum Michelle Bryant-Gravelle was recently profiled by CBC in her role as the City of Vancouver’s first senior director of Indigenous relations. You can also listen to her interview with CBC’s Early Edition.
Students transform business ideas into reality
The Cooperative Entrepreneur Training Program helps students with disabilities or who have faced employment challenges learn the necessary skills to become business owners. Here are four student success stories.
A tour of VIU's aquaponics greenhouse
Students are growing their knowledge - and vegetables - in VIU's aquaponics greenhouse. Learn more about VIU's aquaponics greenhouse.
Events
Milner Gardens
The whimsy and magic of fairy houses return to Milner Gardens & Woodland from June 22 to 25. Stroll along the garden paths and view the Milner Fairy Houses that are only visible to the human eye during this time of year. Admission is from 11 am to 4:30 pm and is $14 for adults and $8 for youth. Children 12 and under when accompanied by an adult.
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