Over the past two years, the Imagine VIU campaign raised $7.3 million in support of our students and transformed the Nanaimo VIU campus:
- We constructed the new Dr. Ralph Nilson Centre for Health and Science, the new Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre, and the District Geo-Exchange Energy System
- We created over $2M worth of new student scholarships, awards, and bursaries
- We acquired almost $2M worth of new equipment and program support
We could not have done it without the help of our community partners like Windsor Plywood, Island Savings, Nanaimo Port Authority, Harbourview Volkswagen, the VIU Alumni Association, and so many more generous supporters who helped us surpass our original fundraising goal of $5.5M. Thank you so much!
Dr. Ralph Nilson Centre for Health and Science
Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre
District Geo-Exchange Energy System
Success Stories
Mark Gledhill is a first-year Master of Community Planning student at VIU. Mark loves to cosplay, is a huge fan of the Honor Harrington Series by David Weber, and enjoys building and painting sci-fi and WW2 models. Mark is also person with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is using his educational experience to try to find ways to improve accessibility in community for those experiencing visible and invisible disabilities.
“I’m hoping to bring my love of heritage together with my understanding of being a person with a disability to create what I hope will be something unique and helpful,” Mark says. “I plan to do my thesis on strategies to improve the accessibility of heritage buildings and districts. What most Canadians don’t realize is that many cities are getting to the age where buildings are becoming heritage and need to be protected, but also have to be used by all elements of our society. It is my hope that creating something like this can help bridge the gap between old and new as we move into the next Canadian century.”
Mark’s other passion is encouraging those with disabilities to enter the planning profession to increase accessibility in community planning.
“While I don’t have a formal idea of where I wish to work yet, I do have aspirations to create a course or module for the MCP program on accessibility in urban planning. I also want to write a book on accessibility in community planning.”
For more information about VIU’s Social Sciences programs, visit https://socialsciences.viu.ca/.
Coastal Community Credit Union Supports the Scientists of Tomorrow
Thank you so much to Coastal Community Credit Union who has generously donated $5000 to the VIU Faculty of Science and Tech in support of a fun and interactive program designed to cultivate and encourage the scientists of tomorrow! Stay tuned in mid February 2021 for an exciting announcement on this program!
Arnold MacDonald Tedford was a teacher prior to the war, whose specialty was in organic chemistry. In honour of her late husband, Joy Tedford recently created the Arnold MacDonald Tedford Memorial Bachelor of Science Award at VIU, which will provide full tuition plus some living expenses for a female student enrolling in our Chemistry program. Selection will be based on financial need and academic achievement.
Joy, thank you so much for creating such a wonderful legacy for Arnold, one that will give women in science and tech a fantastic opportunity to achieve their academic goals.
To see this award or apply for it, click here and filter to the Bachelor of Science and click on the award.
Mosaic Forest Management has created a wonderful new set of financial awards for Indigenous VIU students. One of the recipients reached out to tell us her story, and we wanted to share it with everyone! This is what amazing partnerships can do for our community.
“I started in the automotive trade which is where I met welding. It was love at first UV burn! I knew from that class on that I was passionate about welding, and I had found something that sparked my interest in more ways than one.
Unfortunately, being a young adult and living on my own, finances were tight and I had no idea how I was going to make it to the end of the program without having to work full time and do school full time. Now I can focus more on my education and being the best welder I can be.”
– Victoria Paulo, VIU Welding Student
Run by the Community Cousins, Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem (Indigenous Summer Camp) connects Indigenous youth with peers, Elders, and VIU students to create strong relationships and support their future educational journey.
The VIU Foundation and Office of Aboriginal Education is grateful to The Peter Cundill Foundation, who has provided over $430,000 to create and sustain this program. Hay ch qa’ sii’em.
The Pieter de Reuver Foundation has been supporting various programs at Vancouver Island University since 2009, including a focus on the Post Care Tuition Waiver (PCTW) program. The foundation awards 30 $500 bursaries to PCTW students every year.
"This bursary has helped me to pay for my car insurance, gas money, make sure I have food to eat, get that last bit of money for my textbooks, and support my family. Thank you so much, Pieter de Reuver, for your support. It really helps." - PCTW Student
Get the whole story from our students on YouTube.
Jane and Frank Gregory were some of VIU's most active community leaders. They were with VIU from the very start in the 1960s, ensuring our successful progression from college to university.
The Jane and Frank Gregory Memorial Fund has been created in honour of their legacy at VIU. The fund supports Milner Gardens and Woodlands, Jane's favourite place to be.
We're working from home!
Due to COVID-19, Advancement staff members are from home. If you'd like to get a hold of us, please email foundation@viu.ca.