Reading in Tamagawa Garden

Celebrating Students

English Student Association

Join the English Student Association.

Student Support

You are at the core of our programs, and we want to help you succeed. In doing so we also help ourselves in our own aspirations for life-long learning. We particularly enjoy recognizing and celebrating your achievements. To that end, we have a number of scholarships and awards, and we host an annual Essay Competition and follow-up celebration. Faculty are one of your primary resources at VIU. We enjoy the amount of instructor-student interaction made possible by the small class sizes at VIU, and we welcome your visits to our offices for one-on-one assistance. All of us post regular office hours.

The Department Chair, Paul Watkins, is available to discuss  your program of study. His email address is Paul.Watkins@viu.ca

A Degree Completion Advisor will help ensure you meet all degree requirements with your chosen program of study:

  • Lynda Patterson's phone local is 2178, her email address is Lynda.Patterson@viu.ca, and her office is in Building 355, Room 307.
  • Andrea Martin's phone local is 2603, her email address is Andrea.Martin@viu.ca, and her office is in Building 355, Room 305.

You should see Lynda or Andrea before beginning third year to start a Record of Degree Program (RDP) to track your progress towards completing your degree.

Writing Workshops may be offered each semester. Contact the Writing Centre for more information. For employment opportunities, including the position of Student Office Assistant with the English Department, consult the Campus Career Centre.

Scholarships

There are several scholarships for English studies:

Mike Matthews Award for Studies in Canadian Literature

Available to students who have a strong interest and passion for Canadian Literature and who are  enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program with a major or minor in English. Preference will be given to students who will be pursuing further studies in their field, and whose focus is on effective writing, originality and humour.

Morris Donaldson Memorial Scholarship

1 award, $750; for continuing students who demonstrate academic growth, originality and commitment to a career in English studies. Recipients recommended by the English department. No application necessary. Recipient recommended by the English department in May, with funds issued in June.

Pat Bevan Scholarship in English Literature

1 or more awards, $500 each; for continuing full-time students in English literature, who combine high academic achievement, creativity, motivation and enthusiasm, and who make a positive contribution to their classes. Recipients recommended by English department. No application necessary. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the Fall term.

Helen “Nellie” Keigan Memorial Award

1 award, $500; for students of children’s literature who demonstrate a sensitivity to the imagination of children, and who show originality and creativity in unlocking children’s natural potential. Recipients recommended by the English department. No application necessary. Recipient recommended by the English department in May, with funds issued in June.

L. C. Parkin Award

1 award, $250; available to full or part-time students enrolled in a university degree program who intend to complete a degree in Journalism, English or Creative Writing at VIU or another Canadian university. Applicants must demonstrate potential for success through traits such as ability to meet deadlines, by showing original written expression, and by having had work published or performed in a medium for which the consumer pays. Apply to Financial Aid & Awards office by April 30. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall term.

Bill Juby Award

1 award, $750; for mature part-time students in English or Creative Writing, returning to Vancouver Island University in the fall; based on academic achievement. No application necessary. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall term.

Kevin Roberts Poetry Award

1 award, $500; for continuing students in English or Creative Writing, who demonstrate excellence in writing poetry or the literary study of poetry, as determined by faculty from the English and Creative Writing departments. No application necessary. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall term.

Jason Peskanovich Memorial Award

1 award, $500; for continuing students majoring in English or Creative Writing, based on academic achievement and financial need. Apply to Financial Aid & Awards office by April 30. Funds awarded as a tuition credit for the fall term. See the Financial Aid Office for more details. Every year, we raise money for scholarships with the English Department Book Sale. For employment opportunities, including the position of Student Office Assistant with the English Department, consult the Campus Career Centre.