September 2009 Newsletter

Our third Academic Year began on August 31 when we welcomed our largest incoming class yet - 105 students! Enthusiastic discussions of summer journeys and fall plans have re-energized the campus. Below are some highlights:

Student Life Highlights

  • Quest sponsored another successful Summer Scholars program led by Dr. David Helfand and Toran Savjord. Students enjoyed discussions on astronomy, geology, radioactive dating, and genetics and pursued related adventures through geological field trips, water navigation, interpretive hikes, and astronomical observation.
  • Our students traveled far and wide for adventure and experiential learning. Ian Fornshell studied at the University of Hong Kong's Summer Institute, Julia Green took a summer course at Colorado College, Evan Captain travelled to India to study the economics of a tea plantation, and Carmen Petrick built houses with an NGO in Cambodia.
  • There were plenty of opportunities for students who wanted experiences in the Sea-to-Sky corridor as well: Aidan Nikiforuk worked for a block with the Centre for Disease Control at UBC. Allison Black helped a UBC graduate student gather ticks in the Okanagan, analyzing the epidemiological and social factors associated with Lyme disease. Brittany Harteveld spent one block learning with a Speech Therapist in Vancouver.
  • Our students are also gaining recognition for their accomplishments. Kellina Higgins's paper received Honorable Mention in the Progressive Economics Forum national undergraduate essay competition. Krista Caldwell won First Prize in the Vancouver Evolution Festival's Evolution Video Contest.
  • Although the students have only just arrived back, they are already busy planning programs and activities for the year. The Arts Bay has changed locations to accommodate the growing interest of this co-curricular program, and students are busily re-creating this imaginative space. Quest has also designated a prayer and meditation space to promote interfaith development. Our musicians and vocalists will have the opportunity to present their talent with our first choir and musical ensemble this fall.

Videos, Blogs and More!

  • Andrew Ward, a third-year student, has begun Quest's first full-semester exchange program at the University of Hong Kong. To read about Andrew's adventures, check out his blog.

To see more of our breathtaking campus and see what our students are busy with, visit us online!

Academics

  • Over the summer, four new full-time faculty members have joined Quest: Megan Bulloch in Psychology; Shira Weidenbaum in French; Ryan Derby-Talbot in Mathematics; and Laurel Parsons in Music. In addition, Kiersten Burge-Hendrix has become the Rhetoric Programme Coordinator. She has helped develop our new Rhetoric block, which Quest has introduced for all first-year students in order to improve writing and oral presentation skills. Over the course of the year, we will also welcome a number of very talented visiting faculty to the campus, who will contribute their expertise and experience in many fields, including Clement Apaak in Anthropology; Robert Browne, Penny Le Couteur, Bob Perkins in Chemistry; Jill Fellows in Philosophy; Luce Mélançon in French; and Art Wright in International Organizations. We encourage you to read more about them at our Meet the Faculty webpage.
  • Our new study-abroad partner, the University of Guadalajara, adds Mexico to the foreign destinations now available to Quest exchange students. Our Partner Institutions provide invaluable opportunities for international study and language learning.
  • All our incoming students are probing the theme of "Humans and Nature" in their Cornerstone course, while an advanced Field Ecology course has just left for two weeks in the Great Bear Rainforest to conduct surveys of flora and fauna in this spectacular wilderness area.

Quest Admissions and Scholarships

If you are interested in applying to Quest, or if you know of anyone who might be interested in applying, we are now accepting applications. Please complete our free online application form and read more about our Admissions requirements. Feel free to email with any questions you may have.

We also have a number of Scholarships and Financial Aid packages available. Students interested in learning more about these opportunities can read more here.

Students interested in applying to Quest should keep the following important dates in mind for the coming year:

  • Early Action Program deadline is December 1st (While admissions will continue on a rolling basis, this guarantees a decision on admission from Quest before the new year)
  • Full-tuition Scholarship Application deadline is March 15th, 2010

Visiting Quest

  • Register online to attend one of our Preview Events! This is a fabulous way to learn about our Bachelor of Arts and Sciences program, participate in a class, learn about the benefits of the block plan, meet faculty, staff, and students, and experience our living laboratory. Upcoming Preview Events will take place on October 3rd, November 14th, and December 5th.
  • If you are unable to join us for a Preview Event, please consider scheduling a visit Monday through Friday to speak with a member of our Admissions team, attend a class, and tour our campus.
  • Take advantage of our Travel Grant. We offer this incentive because history suggests that the majority of students who experience our campus first-hand decide to enrol!

From the Quest Admissions Team