All photos were taken with appropriate distancing measures in place.
“Our student staff are an important part of our operations. We could not run our Recreation facilities without the hard work and dedication our students bring on a daily basis. Our diverse group of UBC Students bring a unique perspective to our daily operations that help us grow as a department. Those who chose to work with us throughout their 4-5 years here at UBC really feel like family so when they graduate it is very bittersweet. We are so proud of all they have accomplished but sad to see them leave.” Operations Coordinator, UBC Aquatic Centre, Christine Saunders
At the heart and soul of UBC Recreation are students. Student staff. Student volunteers. Student athletes. Student instructors. Student leaders. Every year we say goodbye to a handful of amazing members of our UBC Recreation community as we congratulate them for completing their undergrads at UBC. This is part 1 of our graduation series as they reflect on their time at UBC and provide some words of wisdom for incoming students.
Gabby Quigley
Lifeguard/Instructor/Sports Instructor/Supervisor, UBC Aquatic Centre – 5 years
Degree: Bachelor of Kinesiology
One piece of advice for incoming first-years? Find your community! Putting myself out there in Collegia, Kin Camp and at the UBC Aquatic Centre really helped me find my community at UBC early in my degree, and the people I met there quickly became my support system — we got through our degrees together!
Favourite place on campus? The rooftop garden of the Nest when it's sunny out!
Favourite class? KIN 367 or KIN 275!
Favourite event or activity? Storm the wall with our aquatics supervisor team! We had so much fun, it was definitely a highlight of my degree.
How has UBC Recreation made an impact on your university experience? Working at the UBC Aquatic Centre gave me a really strong sense of community at UBC. I met my closest friends here and I know they will be a big part of my life forever!
What will you miss most about UBC? Everyone being in the same place.
What do you look forward to most after graduation? Getting to use all the knowledge from my courses in real life!
What is one thing every student should add to their UBC bucket list? Storm the wall!! Definitely worth the bruises!
Naihe (Jonathan) Fang
Floor Staff and Health & Safety Team Lead, ARC & BirdCoop Fitness Centres – 3 years
Degree: Biology, Bachelor of Science
How has UBC Recreation made an impact on your university experience? Working at UBC Recreation has allowed me to meet many awesome friends and people from different parts of the world. It definitely made my university experience more fulfilled.
Favourite Place on campus? IKB Library, where I spent countless hours studying.
Favourite Class? BIOL 363 or AFST 250
Favourite Event or Activity? Block Party. It's a relaxing way to finish off a school year.
What will you miss most about UBC? I'll miss the Blue Chip's coffee and cookies.
What do you look forward to most after graduation? I’m looking forward to having a full-time job and develop my career.
What is one thing every student should add to their UBC bucket list? Bonfire and sunset at Wreck Beach
One piece of advice for incoming first-years? Keep in touch with your faculty advisor for class schedule and program advices, and have some fun.
Diane Obra
Move U Crew – 1 year
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health
One piece of advice for incoming first-years? Have fun and explore but still keep your academics a priority as you adjust to university life.
Favourite Place on campus? Blue Chip Café
Favourite Class? FNH 355: International Nutrition
Favourite Event or Activity? Intramurals Dodgeball League
How has UBC Recreation made an impact on your university experience? Working for UBC Recreation has allowed me to integrate my experiences throughout university and use them through a creative lens.
What will you miss most about UBC? Witnessing the campus go through seasonal changes and the people I got to interact with!
What do you look forward to most after graduation? No more exams and more sleep!
What is one thing every student should add to their UBC bucket list? Attend UBC Intramurals events especially Storm the Wall and Day of the Longboat!
Balthazar de pennart
Volunteer, UBC Intramurals – 4 years
Degree: Bachelor of Kinesiology (B.Kin)
One piece of advice for incoming first-years? At UBC there is never a dull moment. I suggest you try everything that is offered. Your time as UBC is a safe environment where you are able explore who you are and find out your interests. I believe joining a club, program, or sports team are one of the best ways where you can create connections with other fellow students. Like Nestor Korchinsky’s says “Academics give a university its character, extracurricular activities give a university its personality, and the combination of character and personality give the university its soul.”
Favourite Place on campus? Student Recreation Centre (SRC)
Favourite Class? FNH 355 (International Nutrition)
Favourite Event or Activity? Winter Classic
How has UBC Recreation made an impact on your university experience? Volunteering for UBC Intramurals gave me the opportunity to become part of something in my second term of first year when I felt lost at UBC. This program welcomed me with open arms and introduced me all types of volunteering opportunities the program had to offer. They gave me a safe place on campus where I met some of the most compassionate students. I'd always be welcomed with a “Hello, how are you doing today?” when walking into the student office or invited to compete on the various sports teams the other staff had registered for.
What will you miss most about UBC? What I will miss most about UBC, particularly about the campus, is everyone being in the same location all at once. It makes planning for pop up events such as a Vance Joy concert in front of the AMS Nest so memorable.
What do you look forward to most after graduation? I aspire to make change and improve people’s quality of life. By working in the health care system, either working in injury rehabilitation or injury prevention I ideally want to encourage individuals to stay active and maintain a functioning body to support their active lifestyle.
What is one thing every student should add to their UBC bucket list?The obvious choice is to participate in Storm the Wall as this event is unique to UBC and is an impressive accomplishment. There is such a rewarding feeling when you finally get over the 12-foot wall for the first time and look out onto the campus. In addition, with the event lasting two weeks between both the clinic and race week, it has become a big cultural event for UBC and as a result it attracts large crowds of spectators and creates excitement on campus.
One piece of advice for incoming first-years? At UBC there is never a dull moment. I suggest you try everything that is offered. Your time as UBC is a safe environment where you are able explore who you are and find out your interests. I believe joining a club, program, or sports team are one of the best ways where you can create connections with other fellow students. Like Nestor Korchinsky’s says “Academics give a university its character, extracurricular activities give a university its personality, and the combination of character and personality give the university its soul.”
Calista Valente
Operations Staff, Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre – 4.5 years
Athlete, TSC Cycling Team – 4 years
Executive, TSC – 2 years
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Systems
What is one thing every student should add to their UBC bucket list? Everyone should go on exchange if they can. I’m from Vancouver, so going on exchange was the first time I lived outside of the city. I went to the UK and despite the language being the same, I had a huge culture shock when I got there. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I got to meet other exchange students from all over the world and learn about their home countries and schools.
Favourite place on campus? The Iona Building. It looks like a castle and has amazing views of the mountains.
Favourite class? CPSC 304 because it’s one of the few classes I’ve taken that I use material from at my current job.
Favourite event or activity? Storm the Wall. A UBC Classic that everyone should do at least once.
How has UBC Recreation made an impact on your university experience? Being a part of UBC Recreation made me feel like I was a part of the UBC community. It is where I met my closest friends and made countless memories. Whether it was working at the rink, riding with my team or playing intramural sports, UBC Rec fostered an environment to escape from the daily university rush of studying and stress.
What will you miss most about UBC? I'll miss seeing my classmates and friends everyday.
What do you look forward to most after graduation? I look forward to having my weekends free from studying and homework! Also, I'm excited to start working (and making money, of course).
One piece of advice for incoming first-years? UBC is a huge campus so build your community by finding people that have similar interests to you. The best way to do this is by joining a club, sports team or working at a facility!