In the Community

THOUSANDS OF LIGHTS TURN MILNER GARDENS & WOODLAND INTO MAGICAL WINTER WONDERLAND

December 2, 2013

Tens of thousands of sparkling Christmas lights have transformed Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Milner Gardens & Woodland into a magical winter wonderland, a perfect destination for families and others who enjoy the spirit of the holiday season. The annual Milner Christmas Magic event at VIU’s 70-acre wooded forest in Qualicum Beach runs three consecutive weekends Dec. 6 to 8, 13 to 15... Read more


NANAIMO SELECTED TO JOIN NATIONAL NETWORK TO PROMOTE BUSINESS GROWTH AND INNOVATION

November 29, 2013

Nanaimo is one of five cities in Canada – and the only BC city - selected as a 2014 Startup Canada Community. Startup Canada is a national non-profit grassroots network that partners with community organizations and institutions to give entrepreneurs the tools, resources and networks they need to help new businesses succeed. “This is exciting news for Nanaimo,” says Kelsey Wolff, a student in... Read more


VIU WUSC LOCAL COMMITTEE WINS NATIONAL AWARD

November 27, 2013

A committee of Vancouver Island University (VIU) students, faculty and staff working to promote global understanding while supporting refugee students attending VIU has won a national award. VIU’s WUSC (World University Service of Canada) Local Committee was awarded the Local Committee of the Year at WUSC’s 2013 International Forum in Ottawa Nov. 3. One of more than 80 Local Committees on... Read more


VIU Poinsettias Brighten Holiday Season in Nanaimo

November 27, 2013

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Vancouver Island University’s G.R. Paine Horticultural Training Centre on East Wellington Road in Nanaimo. That’s because students enrolled in VIU’s nine-month Horticultural Technician program have nurtured a colourful crop of more than 1,100 red and white poinsettias. Most of the plants are destined for school Parent Advisory Councils throughout the... Read more


FESTIVAL OF TREES ONLINE AUCTION TAKING BIDS UNTIL DEC. 1

November 25, 2013

Make a bid in the Festival of Trees online auction and you might just find the ultimate Christmas gift, or maybe a nice treat for yourself. Bidding is open until 4 pm Dec. 1 on many items, including tickets to BC Lions and Seattle Seahawks games, yoga passes, signed collector items, fine dining, golf, art, wine, and gift certificates for a wide variety of goods and services, plus much more at... Read more


VIU JAZZ STUDENTS AND SPECIAL GUESTS PLAYING END-OF-TERM CONCERTS

November 21, 2013

You might think it would be difficult to muster enthusiasm for a job you’ve been doing for 53 years. Not so for Bryan Stovell, who is looking forward to Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) end-of-term jazz concerts just as much as he did in the first years he taught music in Nanaimo’s secondary schools more than half a century ago. As head of VIU’s Jazz Music program, Stovell is hoping to see... Read more


IMPORTANCE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES FOCUS OF RESEARCH TALK NOV. 28

November 20, 2013

Today’s teachers need to know more about Aboriginal students, including their languages, in order to help improve student success rates in BC schools. That’s a message Lorna Williams, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning at the University of Victoria (UVic), will deliver during an informal presentation at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Nanaimo campus Nov. 28. Williams... Read more


EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAM COMING SOON TO VIU’S COWICHAN CAMPUS

November 20, 2013

Students in the Cowichan Valley region thinking about becoming elementary school teachers will soon have access to a full university degree program close to home. Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan Campus in Duncan will offer a five-year Bachelor of Education degree program starting Sept. 2014. Prospective students can find out more at an information session at VIU’s Cowichan campus Nov. 27... Read more


MUSIC, MAGIC, SANTA AND MORE AT FESTIVAL OF TREES FAMILY DAYS

November 19, 2013

Share the magic of Christmas with your family and view beautifully decorated trees during Family Days at the 19th annual Festival of Trees Nov. 23 and 24 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. “Children will have tons of fun activities to enjoy during Family Days,” says Jason Nelson, chair of the Festival of Trees. “The highlight is a visit with Santa, and story time with Mrs. Claus.”... Read more


REPEATS CONSIGNMENT HOSTING FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER FOR YOUTH IN CARE TUITION WAIVER PROGRAM

November 16, 2013

Two festive fashion shows on Friday, Nov. 29 will feature the ‘upcycled’, carefully curated and gently used women’s wear found at Nanaimo’s Repeats Consignment shop, and will raise funds for Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Tuition Waiver for Youth in Care program. Margaret Spencer says she rejoiced at VIU’s late August announcement that established it as the first university in BC to waive... Read more