Psych grad’s “Just Do It” attitude takes her far
Working hard is how Rhonda Geres-Smith approaches everything in her life, whether it is martial arts, boxing, or her current goal of becoming a school psychologist. As this year’s recipient of the Jubilee Medal in Social Sciences, she has proven hard work really does pay off, achieving the highest undergraduate grade-point average in the faculty.
Children’s residential school art portrays a truth
Human faces, landscapes, cultural stories, wildlife and abstract shapes are just some of the depictions found in a collection of children’s art created during the years 1958-60 at the Alberni Indian Residential School. Each piece of art tells a story about a child who did not have a voice.
Memorial Scholarship established in memory of Leo Tak-Cheung Chan
Intelligent, enthusiastic and passionate are just some of the words that describe UVic political science student Leo Chan, who died Jan. 18 of meningococcal disease. On a memorial website, students, friends and professors at UVic also comment on his winning smile and unbounded curiosity about life. “He was passionate in his convictions yet never inflexible or dogmatic. He was a student who inspired his teachers,” said one professor.
RCMP to pilot BC bullying prevention program in rural Canada
A new partnership between the RCMP, youth organizations and researchers from the University of Victoria will train RCMP youth officers to assist schools and rural communities in delivering a successful BC anti-bullying program where it’s never been offered before.
Undergrad class publishes book on development economics topics
Most university students don’t have their research published until they are in graduate school—not so for students in Dr. Alok Kumar’s third-year Development and Economics course. Kumar compiled his students’ research into a book—Governance, Social and Physical Infrastructure, and Development—that was recently published by Lambert Academic Publication in Germany.
A virtual journey through the Coast Salish cultural landscape
What’s at stake in treaty negotiations? What is the cultural significance of the land? As one BC First Nations group has learned, the complex language of land claims can be a key obstacle to making well-informed decisions about the treaty process.
Now, thanks to researchers and students in the University of Victoria’s anthropology and computer science departments, First Nations communities can learn about the treaty process and their traditional territories in a fun way—by playing a video game.
Students’ ‘spare change’ funds 5 clinics for a year
Students in a first year environment and sustainability course surprised their professor, Dr. Phil Dearden (geography) when the class raised $550 in about 10 minutes for World Vision. In his wrap-up lecture Dearden was talking about the sins of over consumption and the threat of underconsumption in many parts of the world...a topic that threads throughout the course. Dearden showed the class a World Vision gift catalogue and explained that a mere $100 would fund a medical clinic for a year, as drug companies would match the amount raised by a 17-fold multiplier ($100 = $1700). Dearden passed around a hat and the students gave their "spare change" which amounted to $550, or enough to fund five medical clinics for a year, plus change to fund classroom supplies. “Do the math with the multiplier and that’s quite a gift from our students,” said Dearden.
Hofer elected president of professional society
Dr. Scott Hofer (psychology) has been elected President of the Society of Multivariate Experimental Psychology (SMEP) for the 2013 year. Hofer is highly respected for his contributions to the understanding of cognitive and social functioning over the life course, with special emphasis on creative approaches to the design and analysis of longitudinal data that are informative about stability and change in later life. He is also recognized for the service he has provided to SMEP in the role as coordinating officer. Election to the presidency of this 50-year-old society is one of the highest honours that one can receive in quantitative psychology.
Psychology grad follows her dual passions
Nichole Williams knew at 15 years old she wanted to study psychology and make a difference in the lives of people suffering from dependence issues. Williams graduates this month with an honours degree in psychology; fulfilling the first of many goals she has set for herself. Her honours thesis on homelessness and alcohol dependence explored how policy measures can be used to help Victoria’s most vulnerable populations.
Anthropology grad follows passion for film, photography and helping others
Devin Tepleski, who willo receive his BA at Fall Convocation, is making his mark on the world through documentary film and photography: two things he is very passionate about. He started taking classes in anthropology and visual arts at UVic after a year of backpacking from Berlin to Istanbul. He chose anthropology because, as he says, “I wanted to understand how the social world works, and how I fit into it.”
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