The president of the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) presented the City of Mission with a “Ripple Makers Paddle” on Jan. 17, making it a lifetime member of UFV’s donor club.
The paddles – each one with a unique design – are given as a thanks to people and organizations that have given $100,000 or more to the university.
UFV President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Joanne MacLean said their partnership with the city is a “two-way street” which has helped to build strong local programming.
“The partnership … has been truly a wonderful contribution to the work of the university,” MacLean said. “It is impactful, it is profound, and I believe that our students are so much better for it.
“We hope that you’ll display (the paddle) proudly.”
Mayor Paul Horn, Coun. Ken Herar, and Coun. Jag Gill are all graduates of the university, and said they were excited for expansion of the UFV programming at the Mission campus.
“It has been nice to see the university grow … And it will be nice to see the campus on Mission grow,” said Coun. Ken Herar.
The local campus is slated to undergo huge renovations in the coming year to create an education center which will relocate all of Abbotsford’s teaching programs to Mission. Paul Horn said it’s going to be an $8 million investment from the university.
He said he’s heard there’s also an initiative to potentially add a local planning program to the Mission campus, and the university was looking for letters of support. Council voted unanimously to send a letter in favour.
@portmoodypigeon
patrick.penner@missioncityrecord.com
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