Striving for athletic and academic excellence
Danielle Groenendijk is graduating from VIU this June with a Bachelor of Science, major in Biology and minor in Kinesiology – graduating with honours.
She is also a member of the VIU Mariners women’s volleyball team and the combination of both a strong volleyball program and the academic programs offered was a major factor in why she decided to attend VIU.
Finding his fit with VIU’s Biology program: Gordon Skocic
Gordon Skocic is graduating this June with a Bachelor of Science, major in Biology and minor in Chemistry. He is a co-valedictorian for the faculty of Science and Technology, sharing the honour with fellow Bachelor of Science grad Baneesha Gill.
Finding humour and comradery in organic chemistry: Baneesha Gill
Baneesha Gill is graduating this June with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology and specializing inmolecular cell biology. She is a co-valedictorian for the Faculty of Science and Technology, sharing the honour with fellow Bachelor of Science grad Gordon Skocic.
The power of getting involved in the campus community: Kayla Passmore and Victoria Ross
Kayla Passmore and Victoria Ross and are co-valedictorians for the Faculty of Education’s graduating class of 2022. From varsity athletics to student leadership roles, Kayla and Victoria are some of the most involved students on campus, so you’ve likely seen them around.
Striking a balance between studies and social connections: Siddhanth Arikari
Siddhanth Arikari is graduating this June with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies. Siddhanth is co-valedictorian for the faculty of Arts and Humanities, sharing the honour with fellow grad Lauryn Mackenzie.
Persistence in the face of difficulties: Lauryn Mackenzie
Lauryn Mackenzie is graduating this June with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies. She is co-valedictorian for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, sharing the honour with fellow grad Siddhanth Arikari.
Lauryn is excited to see what the future holds and after graduation plans see where to road takes her.
Getting involved and pursuing possibilities: Nicole DiCastri
Nicole DiCastri, a co-valedictorian for the Faculty of Social Sciences, is graduating this June with a Bachelor of Arts, major in Criminology and minor in Creative Writing. She plans on taking a year off from academics before applying to law schools with the goal of becoming a lawyer.
Helping youth get excited about science
Rebecca Timmons loves helping kids get excited about science. For the past few months, the fourth-year VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture student has been working as a Let’s Talk Science site coordinator, which is coordinated out of the Deep Bay Marine Field Station.
From undergraduate research to an honours thesis: Emmerson Pollard
Emmerson Pollard, who is co-valedictorian for the Faculty of Social Sciences, is graduating this June with a Bachelors of Arts, Honours in Psychology. She plans on starting a Master of Public Health at the University of Victoria this September.
Ready to put her education into practice: Timilehin Maryam Olayiwola
For Timilehin Maryam Olayiwola, who is graduating this June from VIU’s Early Childhood Education and Care program, VIU has felt like home because of the in-depth interactions she had with profs and other students, as well as having friends and family studying alongside her. After she represents the Faculty of Health and Health Services as valedictorian, she is ready to put what she learned at VIU into practice.