Celebrating 30 Years of Academic Excellence

Highlights from CUFA BC’s 30th Annual Distinguished Academics Awards Gala

Thank you for attending CUFA BC’s Distinguished Academics Awards gala in April. Here’s a quick recap below and a link to all the photos (the link will expire in one year).

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Thank you for joining us at the 30^th Annual Distinguished Academics Awards Gala at the stunning Fairmont Empress Victoria. With the BC Legislature as our backdrop and the Inner Harbour just outside our windows, we celebrated the very best in BC’s university community alongside 120 friends and colleagues, university leaders, legal professionals, labour allies, and sector supporters.

We were honoured to begin the night in a good way with Songhees First Nation Elder Cecelia Dick, who welcomed us to the territory. Her reflections on the land, our shared relationship to community, and the critical role of education in reconciliation set a thoughtful and powerful tone for the evening.

Our emcee, CUFA BC Acting President Ken Christie, opened the evening with his signature warmth and humour. As he reminded us:

“Whatever our individual perspectives are from within the university, it’s in seeing the bigger picture that we understand the central role universities place in bridging societal discord.”

After dinner, guests heard from each of this year’s award recipients – truly inspiring professors who shared not only their incredible work but the personal journeys and motivations behind their work. Their stories reminded us why we gather each year to celebrate the transformative impact of post-secondary education in British Columbia. Learn more about the award winners and watch their profiling interviews!

 

Early in Career Award

Dr. Laura Schummers (UBC, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Her research in reproductive population health is shaping public policy and improving health outcomes in BC and beyond. Watch her interview here.

 

Ehor Boyanowsky Academic of the Year Award

Drs. Dennis Hore and Bruce Wallace (University of Victoria)
Recognized for their Substance Drug Testing project, which addresses the toxic drug crisis through science-based harm reduction and community-driven intervention. Watch their interview here.

 

Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award

Drs. Philip Owens and Ellen Petticrew (University of Northern British Columbia)
Celebrated for their lifetime contributions to environmental science and public policy, helping shape sustainable environmental management in Canada. Watch their interview here.

 

In the words of Ken Christie:

“For three decades now, we have celebrated the outstanding scholarship of distinguished academics in BC. Let’s continue to strengthen these bridges of alliance and safeguard the academic mission of our institutions.”

We’re proud to carry this tradition forward and are already preparing for next year. Nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Academics Awards open in late October. Visit www.cufa.bc.ca/awards this fall to submit a nomination and learn more.

Thank you again for helping us mark this milestone year. We are grateful for your continued support and partnership in advancing post-secondary education in British Columbia.

In solidarity,
Annabree Fairweather
Executive Director
Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC)