番茄社区

Denis Luchyshyn, a first-generation Canadian who moved to Vancouver from Belarus with his pregnant mother when he was seven, credits his adaptability for much of his success. 鈥淚 attended six or seven different schools growing up,鈥� he explains, 鈥渢hat has had a lot of impact on who I grew up to be. I had to take care of my sister a lot, too, before my dad moved out to Canada as well.鈥� Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business this June, Luchyshyn has already received numerous accolades both at school and in the workplace. At work, he has been acknowledged for achieving high sales goals and having the 鈥淢ost Positive Attitude.鈥� And at UVic, Luchyshyn competed in Canada鈥檚 Next Top Ad Exec, along with classmate Kyle Kozma, and was also on a winning team that presented a mobile app to the United Way.

Carolyn Peacock has always been an advocate for children, even when she was one herself. In grade three, she often went home with bloodied hands after getting the strap at the Edmonton school she attended. Her crime? Defending other children who were being bullied. Those children were usually immigrants and were picked on, as she too had been at school.

When people ask Renee McBeth what she does for a living, she often gives the same answer. 鈥淚 tell people I鈥檓 an organizer,鈥欌�� she says with a laugh. 鈥淚 depend on post-it notes and to-do lists.鈥� Indeed, as someone who holds dual positions at UVic鈥檚 Faculty of Law, her daily balancing act requires a high degree of prioritization and time management.

Retired professors return to the 番茄社区 throughout the month of April to offer insight on topics ranging from Islam to the use of math in slowing the spread of infectious diseases and more.

Victoria鈥檚 restaurant reviewers have some fresh (and easily recognizable) competition, thanks to the Don Ho Dining Club. Formed in November 2012, the club began in a break room shared by the UVic paint and carpentry shops, Fittingly, the idea of a monthly dinner club was first served up for discussion over lunch.

Alumni Week鈥攈onouring the social, economic and artistic impact of UVic graduates鈥攔uns from Feb. 2鈥�8 with more than a dozen special events on campus and at alumni branches across Canada and in Asia.

The first thing Louise Peters says, during a break in an otherwise busy day as one of nine assistants in UVic鈥檚 undergraduate admissions office, is that she tries to bring her mug whenever she buys coffee at the Biblio Caf&e#180;. So it is no surprise Peters is a keen proponent of her department鈥檚 transition to a paperless office.

Outstanding members of the 番茄社区 alumni community鈥攕elected by each of the university鈥檚 faculties, divisions and the UVic libraries鈥攚ill be honoured on Wed., Feb. 5.

In 1973, Peter Klit and Grant Hughes were assigned the same UVic dorm room鈥擠avid Thompson 209. They quickly bonded, beginning a friendship now in its 40th year. It鈥檚 only coincidence they both currently work on campus. (A happy excuse to catch-up more often, they say.)

Down in the basement of the Bob Wright Centre, in a room within a room that cannot be disturbed by traffic from nearby Ring Road or the infinitesimally small particle showers of the sun, the diminutive and engaging Dr. Elaine Humphrey is entrusted with the care and operation of the most powerful microscope in the world.

When it comes to the Department of Visual Arts, Jackson 2Bears is not the typical Audain Professor of Contemporary Arts of the Pacific Northwest. Although he has yet to achieve the international reputation of previous Audain professors Rebecca Belmore, Michael Nicol Yahgulanaas and Nicholas Galanin, he is the first UVic alumnus to be appointed to the position.

Did you know that there鈥檚 a team of people here at UVic ready and willing to answer any computer questions you might have? It鈥檚 the Computer Help Desk, led by manager Marcus Greenshields.

A day in the life of Jennifer Lang is as full of scene changes and costume changes as any opera. On a typical weekday, she鈥檚 up at 6 a.m. for yoga; then it鈥檚 four hours as administrative assistant for UVic鈥檚 Web Initiatives Team in UVic Communications. After an hour of singing practice and music preparation, she teaches voice students at the Peninsula Academy of Music Arts or Long and McQuade. And one evening a week, she tops it all off with a karate class (she holds a black belt).

Heather Richards might not be a name you recognize, but if you鈥檝e been to a 50th anniversary event at UVic, you鈥檝e seen her handiwork. For the past two years, Heather has been a constant force behind the celebrations. 鈥淚鈥檓 really passionate about UVic,鈥� says Heather. Considering what she鈥檚 accomplished in the past few years, it鈥檚 no wonder why.

The law is in Katelyn Crabtree鈥檚 blood, as is her connection to UVic Law. Crabtree, who graduates this spring from the Juris Doctor program, is the fifth UVic Law alumnus in her immediate family.

Not every reader will recognize him from his picture, but since February 2007, each issue of UVic鈥檚 community newspaper has benefited from Robie Liscomb鈥檚 discriminating touch. After more than 1,200 days in the life of The Ring, its editor retired at the end of April.