Le
Far from her comfort zone
The Ring
As recipient of the Jubilee Medal for the Faculty of Science, Liyuan (Leslie) Ren is finishing top of her faculty. Despite earning a near-perfect 9.0 grade average, for Ren, the
university experience was about more than just academics. “It was a pretty challenging last five years,” she admits with a smile. “I wasn’t even aware there was an award, so I’m actually
pleasantly surprised!” After completing high school in her native China, Ren was determined to move to Canada, learn English and get a university education. She chose UVic for the climate,
beauty and size, and because it was a research-based university. “It was the best decision I ever made,” she says confidently.
Commerce grad thrives on change
The Ring
Denis Luchyshyn, a first-generation Canadian who moved to Vancouver from Belarus with his pregnant mother when he was seven, credits his adaptability for much of his success. “I
attended six or seven different schools growing up,” he explains, “that has had a lot of impact on who I grew up to be. I had to take care of my sister a lot, too, before my dad moved out to
Canada as well.” Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business this June, Luchyshyn has already received numerous accolades both at school and in the
workplace. At work, he has been acknowledged for achieving high sales goals and having the “Most Positive Attitude.” And at UVic, Luchyshyn competed in Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec, along with
classmate Kyle Kozma, and was also on a winning team that presented a mobile app to the United Way.