The term “emeritus/emerita” is conferred on retired faculty members as an honour and a means to maintain certain privileges and maintain an ongoing relationship with VIU. Individuals are identified through a nomination process described below.
On October 4, 2012, Senate approved Policy 92.02 Awarding of Academic Emeritus Designation and its associated Procedure 92.02.001.
As outlined in Policy 92.02, the Academic Emeritus Designation:
- Recognizes the outstanding, distinguished contributions of a retired faculty member to the academic life of Vancouver Island University;
- Recognizes retired faculty members for significant contributions and exceptional service during their long-term association with Vancouver Island University; and
- Encourages and fosters an ongoing relationship between a teacher, librarian, or scholar and the University after retirement so that the reputation of the University may benefit from the continuing relationship and the recipient may benefit from using the University name in the context of appropriate scholarly endeavours.
An Emeritus may act as a mentor to faculty and students; undertake research projects at VIU; assist with or collaborate on grant or funding applications; and present guest lectures, seminars, and workshops. For a full listing of activity examples as well as a listing of some of the privileges granted to Emeriti, over and above those provided by VIU to all retirees, please refer to Policy 92.02.
The title of Academic Emeritus is granted without a definite term, which differs from the status of Honorary Research Associate – a title that is held for a renewable term of a maximum of 3 years.
Eligibility for Academic Emeritus Designation, as stated in Policy 92.02:
- Individuals who have left the employment of Vancouver Island University, normally through retirement, and who usually have served the University for a minimum of ten years may be nominated.
- The designation recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching or the support of teaching, including librarians, and at least one of either scholarship or service.
Please visit Academic Emeritus Designation Nominations to download the nomination form. Forms should be submitted to the Office of the Provost. Nominations will then be forwarded to the Awards and Honours Committee for review and recommendation to Senate. Successful candidates will be informed in writing by the Office of Provost, and the Emeritus designation will be awarded at a regular convocation of VIU. Please note that nominations must include the supporting signatures of at least three faculty members.
Nomination forms are accepted on an ongoing basis, but no later than six months prior to the date of the regular convocation at which the proposed award is to be made. Nominations for the June Convocation ceremony must be received in the Office of the Provost by mid-January of the same year.
If you have questions regarding the nomination process, please email Emeritus@viu.ca.
Sincerely,
Claire Grogan, PhD
Acting Provost and Vice-President, Academic
- VIU Academic Emeritus Nomination Form
- Policy 92.02 Awarding of Academic Emeritus Designation
- Procedure 92.02.001 Awarding of Academic Emeritus Designation
Academic Emeritus Recipients
2025
- Dr. David Bigelow (Science and Technology)
Dr. Bigelow led the mathematics department through major growth during his 14 years as chair, including the launch of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science mathematics majors in 2018. Under his leadership these programs met the highest academic standards and expanded opportunities for students. Over the course of his 34-year career, he demonstrated an exceptional commitment to teaching and mentorship, leaving a legacy of innovation and academic excellence. Bigelow’s presence in the classroom has inspired generations of learners.
- Dr. Laura Cranmer | Higalidzi (Arts and Humanities)
Gilakasdaxwla naɬnamyut, nugwa’am Higalidzi. Ax’ɛxsdan kan mumaɬkagʸaɬɛxoxda Snuneymuxw ka’ans gaxanayans kwaɬa laxux awinagwisas. Greetings to those with whom I am one. Thank you to the Snuneymuxw and VIU for initiating the Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies program, without which such transformational change for so many of our alumni and their communities across Canada – the beneficiaries of alumni talent, training and expertise – could not have taken place. I joined the department in 2000 and retired in 2017. My interests include arts-informed research, language revitalization, protecting wild salmon from open-net pen fish farms and applied theatre research.
- Dr. Alan Gilchrist (Social Sciences)
Throughout his 24-year career with VIU, Dr. Gilchrist has consistently demonstrated a passion for geography, leading to groundbreaking research, invaluable contributions to our community and innovative teaching methods. He developed a mapping tool that allows communities to take a more groundwater-centric approach to land-use planning, which is still used today by local governments to help protect groundwater quality. Gilchrist also examined how climate change has impacted the distribution of water in 13 key Vancouver Island watersheds, leading to many community presentations, media interviews and a Provost’s Award for Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity.
- Dr. Lev Idels (Science and Technology)
Dr. Idels thanks VIU for the most colourful second part of his life. He began teaching in VIU’s Mathematics department in 2001 after immigrating from Russia, starting a whole new life in his 50s. Highlights of his VIU experience include organizing an international applied math conference, collaborating with researchers from across the world on different research projects, and receiving many grants for research with applications for cancer dynamics, biology, networks, fisheries and more. Idels maintains a full-time position with the prestigious academic journal Applied Mathematical Modelling by Elsevier.
- Dr. Imogene Lim (Social Sciences)
For almost three decades, Dr. Lim has demonstrated an unparalleled dedication to the university, students and the community, inspiring change locally, regionally and provincially. As a scholar of Asian Canadians, Lim has exposed students to marginalized and forgotten histories, developing in them a curiosity and passion for understanding historical dynamics. Lim served as Anthropology Chair and has earned VIU awards for community engagement and research. She received the BC Medal of Good Citizenship in 2020 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025. She retired from VIU in 2024.
- Dr. Ross MacKay (Provost's Office, Arts and Humanities)
In his 30 years at VIU, Dr. Ross MacKay served as an English Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Associate Vice-President, Academic. In these positions, Dr. MacKay has played a key role in shaping institutional policies and revitalizing important programs and events. His advice: “If I could offer my best wishes to graduates with just a little advice, I would hope that, in your journey, each of you embraces lifelong learning, cultivates fulfilling relationships, develops resilience and maintains work-life balance."
2024
- Patrick Carpenter (Arts and Humanities)
- Doug Corrin (Science and Technology)
- Dr. Leigh McCarley Blaney (Health Sciences and Human Services)
- Dr. Marni Stanley (Arts and Humanities)
2023
- Dr. Steven Earle (Geology)
- Dr. John Lepage (English)
- Les Malbon (Kinesiology)
- Dr. John Morgan (Resource Management and Protection)
- Dr. Robert Willis (Management and Law)
2022
- Dr. Tim Goater (Biology)
2021
- Dr. Katharina Rout (English)
2019
- Ron Smith (Creative Writing and Journalism, English)
- Dr. John Black (Liberal Studies)
2017
- Greg Klimes (Resource Management and Protection)
- Dr. Kevin Roberts (Creative Writing and Journalism, English)
- Dr. Gordon Hak (History)
- Dr. Ken Hammer (Recreation and Tourism)
- Dr. Jane Watson (Biology)
2016
- Dr. Timothy Brownlow (English and Creative Writing)
- Dr. Patrick Dunae (History)
- Dr. Keith Harrison (English)
- Griffith Tripp (Recreation/ Tourism)
2015
- Dr. Robert Lane (Philosophy)
- Dr. Rick Rollins (Recreation/ Tourism)
2014
- Gary Tunnell (Anthropology)
2013
- Ian Johnston (English and Liberal Studies)
- Dr. William Pennell (Fisheries and Aquaculture and former Acting Director of the Institute for Coastal Research)
- Kathryn Barnwell (English and Women’s Studies)
- Dr. Helen Brown (History)