Former pro hockey player Sheldon Kennedy returns to UFV to share his personal message of standing up to bullying and abuse on Pink Shirt Day.

Kennedy will be featured on Feb. 27 as part of the President's Leadership Lecture series at 4:30 p.m. in the lecture theatre (room B101) at the Abbotsford campus.

The former hockey star was the first to accuse coach Graham James of abusing junior hockey players, which led to a conviction and, eventually, further charges.

Kennedy chose to 'out' himself as a victim in order to expose a problem that had been hidden away in sport for years.

Since then he has devoted his life to abuse prevention and education.

"By educating everyone on the prevention of abuse, bullying and harassment, we are deputizing each person with the necessary tools to intervene and/or report inappropriate behaviour, whether it's in sport, schools or the workplace," said Kennedy.

"When everyone is on the same page we are more likely to feel comfortable and confident with these issues and speaking up."

UFV conferred an honorary doctorate on Kennedy in 2012. As he spoke from his heart to the graduating class, he also committed to return to UFV to continue to share his message of personal empowerment with others. Kennedy will be at Alumni Hall before heading to the UFV Bookstore on the Abbotsford campus (1385 Mackenzie Rd.) at 3:30 p.m. for a book signing of his story, Why I Didn't Say Anything.

Popular Vancouver rocker Bif Naked will speak about body image and the media at the International Women's Day celebration at UFV's Abbotsford campus March 8.

Fighting against adversity is a main theme, and having a strong female voice is one of the ways women and men can learn about the difficulties women face in today's society.

A breast cancer survivor and punk rocker, Bif Naked has experience in the spotlight, and knows the pros and cons of media coverage.

The event is free to students, and for faculty and community members there is a $10 entrance fee. Tickets can be bought at the Abbotsford or Chilliwack UFV libraries.