News & stories
Feature stories
Stories, profiles and interviews with UVic alumni and features from the UVic Torch magazine.
Beyond the numbers
May 26, 2025
UVic History alumna Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of YVR, has earned national acclaim as a gifted, compassionate leader who can navigate organizations through turbulent times to produce a...
Canadian beauty
May 26, 2025
Alumni Maureen Gordon and Kevin Smith are co-owners of Maple Leaf Adventures, a BC coastal-based adventure travel company. We asked them for top tips and insights on adventure travel in BC.
Expert travel tips
May 26, 2025
We asked four UVic alumni with expertise in travel about their favourite places, top how-to tips and cherished memories of their time on the fly.
Bear witness
May 23, 2025
UVic alumnus and geography professor Chris Darimont advised researchers who found that bears viewed as a part of ecotourism are not predisposed to causing conflicts with neighbouring...
Becoming a Saké Samurai
May 23, 2025
Inspired by an insatiable thirst for Japanese culture, UVic grad Patrick Ellis became Canada’s largest importer of Japan's national drink, earning the rare distinction of 'Saké...
Born to fly
May 23, 2025
Alumnus John Wensveen found support and mentorship during his UVic geography studies, which helped him fulfill his dreams of a career in the aviation business, ascending to his new role as...
Healthy optimism about new faculty
May 23, 2025
Speech pathologist and change maker Tammy Hopper serves as dean of UVic’s new Faculty of Health
Work journey
May 23, 2025
The job-search process can be challenging, but being intentional and using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool can help, according to alumni career educator Kerry Vaughan.
Sweet summer reads from UVic Alumni Relations
May 6, 2025
We help you pick from a crop of interesting alumni books for readers of all ages.
Indigenous names given to alumni awards
Čeyɫəm, Dr. Elmer George from Songhees First Nation bestowed the Lək̓ʷəŋən word and J,SIṈTEN, Dr. John...
My business
We profile enterprises run by UVic alumni.
Business grad brings French connection to macaron shop
February 14, 2025
From salted caramel to kimchi, there’s something for everyone at Yann Fougère’s colourful and adventurous Bon Macaron Patisserie.
Benny energy
December 4, 2024
UVic grads Paige Cey and Julie Letizia poured their passion into Benny, an energy drink that promises to give you a boost without the nasty extras.
Creating planet-positive solutions
September 6, 2023
Science grad Parmjot Gill co-founded Kite, a venture studio that helps work through problems to create world-class companies and a cleaner, more sustainable resource industry
Leading the charge
July 24, 2023
BCom grad Andrew Johns is helping drivers go electric with a new network of charging stations
Distill my beating heart
April 20, 2023
Mechanical Engineering grads Darcy Lane, BEng ’06, and Brandon Fry, BEng ’10, are helping fuel the craft distilling revival with their custom-made stills
Ask an expert
We learn useful tips and life hacks from UVic alumni.
Cake it to the limit
May 26, 2025
Cookbook author and musician Lyndsay Sung, BA ’00, rocks the cake world with her colourful, creative takes on classic bakes. Here, she dishes on top decorating tips, tools, cookbooks and...
Food tour operator dishes on culinary tourism
July 8, 2024
UVic Poli Sci grad Bonnie Todd keeps tourists and curious locals well fed and informed with her Off the Eaten Track walking food tours.
For the thrill of it
June 19, 2023
Bestselling author and Writing alumna Gail Anderson-Dargatz delivers some need-to-know tips to start up a literary novel or a fast-paced thriller
Alum shares tips on mental wellness
April 20, 2023
UVic triple grad and campus counsellor Adam Tran offers up some life hacks on caring for your health and well-being.
Cyber security expert offers life hacks
April 19, 2023
UVic double grad Nav Bassi shares his dos and don'ts when it comes protecting yourself online.
Change-up
We profile UVic alumni who recently made a bold life change.
Where the Magic happens
February 7, 2025
Engineering grad and TCG Machines founder Graeme Gordon ditched the oil and gas industry to parlay his passion for Magic: The Gathering trading cards into a thriving business.
Capturing memories
May 1, 2024
Chelsea Warren turned her focus from science to photography to fulfill her creative drive and run her own business.
Fits to a tea
November 8, 2023
Business grad Zet Le gave up a corporate job to make his dreams come true by starting Y Not Today, a unique Bingsu ice-cream and bubble-tea business in Calgary.
A kind word for social workers
April 20, 2023
Social worker Amy Pinnell left public service to start her own business, sharing messages and products to ease the load of her colleagues in the field.
Vox alumni
Alumni share stories in their own words.
Life is a Carnival
May 23, 2025
As a recent Theatre grad in her 20s, Jackie Adamthwaite put her production skills to work on a cruise ship, stage managing shows for an international crowd at sea.
Adventures in teaching
December 4, 2024
Education grad Nya Harle finds joys and challenges working in São Paulo, Brazil, where personal connection takes centre stage.
Now boarding
May 1, 2024
UVic social work alumna and debut author Amy Mattes, BSW ’17, writes about the enduring joy of skateboarding and why kickflips might help kick-start creativity.
Different fires
May 24, 2023
How a return to wildfire fighting in BC helped Writing grad Kelly Bouchard reboot from the stress and exhaustion of his work with Toronto’s homeless.
Wheels, words and healing
April 20, 2023
Martin Bauman discovered the life-changing power of stories during a cross-country bike ride for mental health.