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Alumni

2024: UVic alumni in the news

December 20, 2024

Collage of photos of nine UVic alumni.

In 2024, UVic alumni were creating, leading, innovating and generally making a difference in the world, whether through art, sport, health, science, education or business. Here are nine UVic grads who were in the news this year

Jeannette Armstrong

Woman smiling wearing glasses and colourful scarf.
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In 2023, UVic Fine Arts graduate Jeannette Armstrong joined the Order of Canada. In 2024, she added an honorary degree from UVic, receiving a DLitt to recognize her contributions to Indigenous literature. Armstrong is an associate professor at UBC, the Canada Research Chair in Okanagan Indigenous knowledge and the author of Slash, considered to be the first novel by a First Nations woman in Canada.  

Jeremy Bagshaw

Man in swim cap and swim goggles in a pool looking upwards at end of a race.
Jeremy Bagshaw punches his ticket to the Paris Olympics. Photo Ian MacNicol/Swimming Canada

UVic Kinesiology alumnus and elite swimmer Dr. Jeremy Bagshaw, MSc ’19, earned a medical degree in Ireland while training for the Olympics. After 16 years, he qualified for the Olympics on his fifth and final try. He made his childhood dream come true and won the hearts of sports fans. 

Rory Hills

Man in a blue shirt standing in front of three shelves filled with medicine bottles.

UVic Science grad Rory Hills is going places and he’s trying to make the world healthier along the way. After graduating from UVic, Hills became a Rhodes Scholar, and is working on an ingenious nanoparticle vaccine that could be a game changer in protecting against coronaviruses, including ones not yet discovered. He was lead author on a study that was widely covered in the news. 

Bruce Alexander McKean

Older man with white facial hair sitting in a chair with a wooden desk and credenza behind him.

UVic Political Science alumnus Bruce Alexander McKean, BA ‘70, has donated $203 million to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation since 2018.

His donation to CAMH is the largest cumulative donation for mental health care in Canadian history.

His $1.5 million gift to UVic in 2021 established the Chief Mungo Martin Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health.

Marion Newman

Woman standing in the woods wearing Indigenous blanket and hat.
Marion Newman returns to teach at UVic. Photo by Tony Hauser.

UVic Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman, Nege'ga, made headlines this year over her exciting return to campus. The radio host is of Kwagiulth and Stó:lo First Nations ancestry with English, Irish and Scottish heritage. Considered one of Canada’s most accomplished singers, she joined UVic as a professor in the School of Music this year. 

Aaju Peter

Woman with Inuit face tattoos wearing a parka.
Photo courtesy of Twice Colonized Films.

Inuk activist and lawyer Aaju Peter, one of the star graduates from UVic Law’s Akitsiraq program, was in the public eye in 2024. The documentary film Twice Colonized, about her life, her fight for Indigenous rights and the loss of her son, received many accolades.  

Laura Ramoso

Woman on stage of night club pointing to appreciative audience who is applauding her.

Fine Arts graduate Laura Ramoso brought her Sit Up Straight tour to North America and around the world. She was featured on the cover for our Spring Torch alumni magazine. The UVic alumni relations team was thrilled to give away tickets to the comedian’s sold-out Royal Theatre show in Victoria in November. Listen to her interview on CBC’s Q Radio. 

John Wensveen

Man in button up shirt and jacket smiling.

Geography alumnus John Wensveen boldly went to the top of the academic leadership universe with a promotion to president of the International Space Academy in France.

Paige Whitehead

Woman in shirt that says Lux Bio smiling and holding two glow sticks.
Paige Whitehead pitched to CBC's Dragon's Den in November.

Science alumna Paige Whitehead appeared on CBC’s Dragon’s Den to pitch her company Lux Bio, which develops bioluminescent enzymes to create long-lasting light formulation.