The University of the Fraser Valley welcomed more than 180 friends and partners to its Mission campus and the Clarke Theatre on Wednesday, Sept 24 for St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community. An evening of food, fun, and lively conversation included remarks from Dr. James Mandigo, UFV’s new President and Vice-Chancellor, who spoke of the strong connection between the university and communities throughout the Fraser Valley.  

“Here in Mission, community collaboration is at the heart of our collective story,” he said. “From revitalization initiatives in the downtown core to student-led projects that support local non-profits, UFV works alongside Mission’s leaders, businesses, and service organizations to engage learners and create meaningful change.” 

The celebration was hosted by UFV’s Community Engagement team and the program opened in a good way with a welcome message from Leq’á:mel First Nation Councillor Lance Campo, and Indigenous drumming by Phil Sherwood (also a Councillor with Leq’á:mel First Nation), UFV Resident Elder Stephen Williams (Skwá First Nation), UFV Knowledge Keeper Jonny Williams (Skwá First Nation), and Stelometen (aka Eddie Gardner, also from Skwá First Nation). 

Guests toured the renovated Mission campus, which officially opened one year ago, as they visited immersive showcases, including some inspired by stories in the St’elt’elawtexw Community Report. One story highlighted a group of students transforming lives by challenging gender stereotypes in UFV’s automotive program. At a painting simulation showcase, guests wore a virtual reality headset and held a sprayer, painting a piece of autobody. The simulator provided detailed analytics, evaluating evenness of the spray, coverage, and thickness/wastage of the paint.   

Another story highlighted UFV’s South Asian Studies Institute, and its work preserving and archiving millions of photos taken by Chandravadan “Chandra” Bodalia before he passed away in 2017. They document hundreds of South Asian cultural events, each picture filling a historical gap where the stories of over a million South Asian Canadians have previously gone untold. 

An interactive loom demonstrated the many ways UFV is woven into the fabric of the communities it serves and leads. Guests wrote their connections to the university and community on colourful strips of fabric that were woven together, creating a beautiful and meaningful piece of art. 

“These unique threads weave a tapestry that illustrates our shared commitment to each other and the Fraser Valley — the unique voices, roles, and contributions that form the fabric of community,” said Susan Mide Kiss, UFV’s Vice-President, Community Engagement. “We are proud to share the stories of resilience, transformation, and innovation reflecting the spirit of community engagement: honouring diverse perspectives, building connections, and creating something stronger and more beautiful together.” 

UFV made a significant announcement during the program, which was emceed by CBC journalist Kier Junos. The university has been designated an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, joining a global network of institutions that are reimagining the role of post-secondary education in driving social innovation, equity, and systems-level change. UFV is one of only a few Canadian institutions to receive the honour and the first institution in six years to earn this designation. 

“Educating for political, social, and economic citizenship is the core responsibility of any university,” said Dr. Martha Dow, who leads UFV’s changemaking team. “In this time when the relevance of universities is being challenged, the Ashoka U designation cements that responsibility in all that we undertake.” 

The university also presented four awards recognizing community service and outstanding leadership. 

Greg Elford led efforts to revitalize a historic building in downtown Mission, turning it into a vibrant community-oriented space. In the process, he helped breathe new life into the heart of the city. Greg received the 2025 Betty Urquhart Award, given to a person or collective who has made an extraordinary contribution to a community in the Fraser Valley. 

Kam Sandhu’s impactful work using business acumen to empower Indigenous communities earned him the Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Sam Varing’s ongoing efforts to encourage young entrepreneurs, helping them to build connections across Abbotsford business communities, earned her the Young Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Ashley McDougall received the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, recognizing the work she did  and the results she achieved advocating for UFV students. 

The university recognized FortisBC and BC Hydro as Ripplemakers, presenting each organization with Lifetime Paddle Awards for cumulative lifetime giving.  

From start to finish, St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community left Mandigo feeling inspired about where UFV is today, and where it’s going in the future, walking alongside community partners. Through initiatives such as changemaking and One Health, and a commitment to being a student-ready university, UFV is creating positive, systemic impact through community engaged teaching and learning, research, and partnerships. 

“Serving as UFV’s Provost and now its President and Vice-Chancellor, I’ve had the privilege to learn and appreciate the welcoming, inclusive, and accessible spirit that defines our institution and the many communities we serve,” James said. “I’ve witnessed the remarkable dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to excellence, engagement, and transformational change. It’s inspiring to be part of a university that lives its mission of engaging learners, transforming lives, and building communities.” 

Susan Mide Kiss said valued members of the university and broader community are stepping forward to meet the moment, from bold community-driven research and student success to social innovation and leadership. 

“With your support, we are moving in a direction that’s rooted in equity, education, and action. This gathering was a powerful reminder that meaningful community engagement is changemaking in action. Join us in building and weaving community, 50 years forward.”

From the UFV Today Blog, October 6 2025