Progress
The Chilliwack
Friday
28
3
17
Chiefs
Crash
Run 4 Mom
All-Interior weekend starts with Vees.
Serious injuries in head on crash.
New date and distance for popular run.
Sports
News
Life
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • F R I D AY, F E B R U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5
Ready to roll on the Fraser Valley Express Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
jfeinberg@theprogress.com Twitter.com/chwkjourno
%off
50 Retail 85¢ Box $1.00
PLUS PST
Alarmes Batteri expires
5
/1 Jan. 31
Dr. Gwen Point was installed as the new chancellor of University of the Fraser Valley on Wednesday during a formal ceremony at the Chilliwack campus. Point is the second chancellor for UFV, taking over from Dr. Brian Minter, who served from 2008 to 2014. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
UFV chancellor looks to lead by example Jessica Peters The Progress Dr. Gwen Point has been installed as UFV’s chancellor, becoming the second person to hold the ceremonial position. A crowd of about 400 people gathered on the Chilliwack campus Wednesday afternoon to witness the historic event, as Point was appointed to the role by B.C. Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon. Warm applause turned to cheers and then a standing ovation for Point, as she was dressed in her dark green chancellor’s robe and cap. She mouthed the words “thank you” as a First Nations drumming circle beat out a powerful rhythm and sang the honour song at her feet, below the stage.
While her family and friends in the audience held their hands open, Point jubilantly moved her fists to the beat of the drums, smiling and nodding. In her speech, the new chancellor spoke about difficult beginnings, friendships, and moving forward. “This is special,” she said, “because this is a house of learning.” Despite not finishing high school initially, education has been a constant thread throughout Point’s life, leading up to her new role as the ceremonial head of UFV. “I didn’t get to finish high school, not because I didn’t want to but because of the conditions of the times,” she said. “But I
wanted to get my Grade 12 and my mentors said ‘write your GED and apply.’ I did, and I’ve never looked back.” Point first took courses at UFV in the 1980s, when it was the Fraser Valley College. Her husband, now former Lt.- Gov. of B.C., Steven Point, also studied at the school in its early days. As Point’s education and career grew, the school’s did as well. She became a member of the University College of the Fraser Valley, and then an assistant professor at what is now a full-fledged university. Point stepped down from her role as an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, in order to take on the volunteer chancellor position. She had been teaching First Nations Studies, including Stó:lo
Nation Development, and Stó:lo Communications and World View. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from UBC, a post-baccalaureate diploma from SFU, and a Master of Education degree from the University of Portland, and is near completion of a doctorate in education from SFU. She also holds an honorary Doctor of Education degree from the University of Victoria. “I am very pleased to be working with Dr. Point,” said UFV President and Vice-Chancellor Mark Evered. “She brings a unique balance of community and university experience, leadership and understanding. She has served our university as a teacher, a scholar, an administrator, and a Continued: UFV/ p5
LOCAL OWNER. LOCAL EMPLOYEES. B Because when it comes to your safety... LOCAL MATTERS. CALL US FOR A FREE QUOTE C
604.792.8055
12-14F CS12
The idea of an express bus shuttling passengers from Chilliwack to Abbotsford was very high on the BC Transit priority list. The Fraser Valley Express is now set to roll from downtown Chilliwack to points west for the first time on April 6. Local stops of the #55 FVX will include the Lickman Park and Ride, Vedder and Luckakuck and downtown Chilliwack. They will be offering free rides on the first day of bus service on April 6, BC Transit senior regional transit manager Johann VanSchaik told Chilliwack council. The long-awaited regional bus route will connect Chilliwack to Abbotsford, and Langley. “I don’t think I have been so excited for something in a long time,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz. It should take just under an hour and half to take the bus from Chilliwack to Langley, at an estimated 79 minutes, and with transfers to get to Tsawwassen ferries in 222 minutes. “A very conservative” estimate for the annual ridership in Chilliwack is 136,000 for the new bus, the BC Transit official said. The suggestion was made that they may have to look at starting Chilliwack local transit service “earlier in the morning” to accommodate the 5:15 a.m. time for the first westbound trip from downtown. The last one leaves at 9:05 p.m. In Abbotsford, the Express will stop at the McCallum park and ride and Highstreet Shopping Centre, and in Langley at Carvolth Exchange. It will cost $5 for a ticket and free for kids eight years and under. A book of 10 tickets will cost $45, and an adult monthly pass will be $100 and a student/senior monthly pass will cost $85. Abbotsford and Chilliwack will each contribute funds for the service, with Abbotsford’s projected share at $411,897 and Chilliwack’s at $233,709 while BC Transit will contribute $704,813. Next steps include more talks about schedules and routing, and work on plans like expanding the local Chilliwack system or connecting to Agassiz and Hope.