The University of the Fraser Valley’s board of governors has renewed Dr. Mark Evered’s term as president and vice-chancellor through to June 30, 2017.
“The board was unanimous in its decision to extend the president’s contract,” said chair Barry Delaney. “A survey of students, employees and community members reflected overwhelming support of Mark Evered in the areas of effective leadership, relational and communication skills, achievement of strategic goals, and promotion of UFV and its mission.”
According to a press release, Evered has served UFV through a time of growth and renewal. He guided the university through a number of major initiatives, including the establishment of a new Faculty of Health Sciences, the B.C. School of Agriculture, and the Clearbrook Centre for continuing studies.
Evered also oversaw the transformation of the Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park into the internationally acclaimed 150,000-square-foot classroom, laboratory, and office building and the soon-to-be completed plant and animal laboratory facilities supporting agriculture teaching and student research. Another UFV centre at Five Corners in downtown Chilliwack is also under development.
The press release states that Evered has given high priority to connecting UFV with the region, building relationships with municipal, provincial and federal political leaders, school districts, chambers of commerce, rotary clubs and other community and cultural groups.
The university’s profile has risen in the last few years and student demand exceeds capacity. UFV now serves over 15,000 students annually.
Evered noted that continuing funding challenges, driven by increased costs, competing demands for provincial resources, and tuition caps will require UFV to be evermore innovative and entrepreneurial to fulfill its responsibilities to students and the Fraser Valley. He will continue to prioritize fundraising and the development of local and international partnerships in the coming years.
“It’s a real honour to serve this university and our region,” said Evered. “I work with extraordinary people, including dedicated board members, an outstanding administrative team, the best faculty and staff colleagues a president could wish for, exceptional student leaders, and very supportive community leaders, partners, and donors.”
Evered holds a BSc in biology from McMaster University and a PhD in physiology from the University of Western Ontario. Over the course of his 40-year career, he has held teaching, research, and administrative appointments at Cambridge University, the University of Western Ontario, the Howard Florey Research Institute in Melbourne, the University of Saskatchewan, and Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.
