Academic Emeritus designation nominations

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

• Document

  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

2026

• Bruce Ballam (Management)
  Bruce Ballam began teaching in the Marketing Department at VIU in 1990. He was instrumental in developing the Bachelor of Business Administration and several groundbreaking initiatives for the Faculty of Management. Ballam is known for his engaging teaching style and focus on real-world applications. He is also widely recognized for his professionalism, mentorship and committee service. Ballam represented VIU as an ambassador and teacher on four continents. He continues to support graduates and the VIU community through ongoing mentorship and marketing guidance. 
• Terri Doughty (Arts and Humanities)
  Terri Doughty began her VIU journey as a first-year transfer student at Malaspina College in 1980. She returned to teach in the English Department in 1990 and has chaired the department three times in her 34 years at VIU. Doughty also worked with academic advising, Arts One First Nations and Liberal Studies, and developed field schools with colleagues in other departments. Her advice for graduates: "We are living in a world that is changing rapidly on all fronts. I encourage openness, curiosity, relationality and cooperation. Whatever you find yourself doing, these values are transformative." 
• Dr. Paige Fisher (Education)
  Dr. Paige Fisher began teaching in VIU’s Faculty of Education in 2006, shaping innovative approaches to teacher education for nearly two decades. Highlights of her VIU experience include co-creating the embedded teacher education program, leading international field schools and advancing research in assessment, leadership and Indigenous education. Fisher has led numerous funded research projects and received provincial recognition for her teaching, including the prestigious Teacher Educator Award from the Association of BC Deans of Education. She continues to contribute to education through mentorship, collaborative inquiry and leadership across BC and beyond. 
• Dr. Cheryl Krasnick Warsh (Arts and Humanities)
  Dr. Cheryl Krasnick Warsh began teaching at VIU in 1994, building an international reputation as a leading scholar in medical and social history. Over the past three decades, Warsh expanded the History Department’s offerings in women’s history, health-care history and popular culture. She published nine books, including Frances Oldham Kelsey, the FDA and the Battle against Thalidomide, which has received international media attention. Warsh is widely recognized for her engaging teaching style. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and is on the Board of Directors of Canada’s History.