In Memoriam

In Memory of Markus Batraki

Markus Batraki will be remembered by the Inside-Out community at Vancouver Island University for being a kind and compassionate leader. Markus was a role model and mentor to many students. He participated in three Inside-Out classes between 2021–2023 and encouraged and supported his colleagues every step of the way. Markus made history for the VIU Inside-Out program when he became the very first student to begin class as an inside student and finish it as an outside student: he was released and came back to the facility each week with the other outside students by his side.

Markus was creative and reflective, sharing poems about his classmates and seeing people for who they were. He was also proud and eager to learn, showing up first for office hours wanting to talk about the readings or the class or programs at VIU or job potentials. Because of his passion to help and support others, Markus was integral to getting our Think Tank operational and he was employed by the Inside-Out program at VIU while completing the first year of his BA degree. Markus was a friend and inspiration to many, and he will be greatly missed.