UFV’s Ripple Makers program is a society of donors who support the University of the Fraser Valley. Through Ripple Makers, donors are celebrated for the ripple effect their gifts create in education, innovation, and prosperity within the UFV community.

UFV recognizes important milestones in a donor’s relationship with UFV by presenting a Ripple Makers Paddle. Each paddle has been hand-painted by a UFV College of Arts student, and custom engraved at our Trades & Technology Centre. There are three distinct Ripple Makers paddles awarded to donors: Lifetime (to recognize cumulative giving of $100,000+), Loyalty (to recognize donations spanning 15 years+), and Legacy (to recognize donors who have included UFV in their estate planning).

In 2023, UFV celebrated the following donors with a UFV Ripple Makers paddle:

• The UFV Alumni Association marked 15 years of supporting their alma mater by receiving the Loyalty Paddle award. The Association has actively supported students through various awards, bursaries, scholarships, and leadership honors.
• Professor emeritus and politician Darryl Plecas was honored with a Loyalty Paddle in September at UFV’s Celebration of Community. Darryl has been a significant contributor to student awards for over a decade.
• Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union received both Loyalty and Lifetime Paddles at the Celebration of Community, recognizing their 17 years of support, including over $100,000 in donations to help UFV students.
• First West Credit Union/Envision Financial was also recognized with a Loyalty Paddle at the Celebration of Community for their 25 years of support for students. Their long-term involvement has been key in providing educational opportunities at UFV.
• UFV alumnus Quentin O’Mahony, who currently lives in Singapore, was awarded a Loyalty Paddle during a recent visit to the Abbotsford campus, highlighting his support for student awards since 2003.
• BMO was given a Lifetime Paddle for more than 21 years of support, with donations totaling close to $1 million since 1999.
• TD Bank Group, a supporter since 1996, was acknowledged for their contributions of more than $350,000 over 16 years. They have been involved in a variety of university-wide initiatives.
• Scott McCarthy, Vice-President of Finance at Conair Group Inc., and a UFV alumnus, accepted a Lifetime Paddle on behalf of the company. Conair Group has donated more than $500,000 since 1996 to support UFV student awards.
• Barbara Moon was recognized for her 28 years of dedication and support, including two endowments that support Indigenous students in UFV’s Teacher Education program and students who are focusing on environmental sustainability or social justice in their graduate studies. She received the Loyalty and Legacy Paddles.
• Virginia Cooke and Deb Greenfield, both retirees, were presented with Ripple Makers Paddles at the 2023 UFV Retirement Dinner in recognition of their dedication and contributions to the UFV community.
• Angela and Allen Au of Auguston Town Development Inc., along with Gavin Dew, received a Lifetime Paddle acknowledging their support exceeding $100,000. This included contributions to student awards and to UFV’s Food and Agriculture Institute. Three students who benefited from these awards also attended the Paddle award ceremony, highlighting the impact of Auguston’s support.

As the year draws to a close, these paddle presentations stand as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of generosity and commitment within the UFV community.

If you would like to learn more about the UFV Ripple Maker program, visit https://giving.ufv.ca/ufv-ripple-makers/ for more information.