THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE on Campus Sustainability 34. Dis cover A Dec Winnipeg
The Legacy ofDr. Lloyd Axworthy ade ofTransformation: & RecPlex UNITED Health 10. Achieve
Learning Community 18. Belong
S P 2014 RING
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Docket #: 13-321 Ad or Trim Size: 8.375" x 10.75" Publication: The Journal (Univ of Winnipeg FILE COLOURS: Type Safety: – Alumni Magazine) Description of Ad: U. Winnipeg Affinity Ad C M Y K Client: BMO Bank of Montreal Bleed Size: 8.875" x 11.25" Issue: Contact: Laura Francey eMail: [email protected] Phone: 416.927-2610 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
CONTENTS
NEWSWORTHY COMMUNITY innovation PEOPLE ALUMNI 10. 33. 47. The UNITED A Sustainable Alumni Association Health & RecPlex Solution 38. 48. 15. Climate, Class Acts 2013 Campus Communities & 4. Campaign a Success Communication The Collegiate Finds a New Tempo 52. 16. 44. Reunions UWinnipeg Alumnus Instant Mom 6. Gives Back Nia Vardalos 53. ARTSFEST 34. In Memoriam Celebrating UWinnipeg’s Campus Sustainability Cultural Heritage 18. A Joint Effort to 46. Spotlight: Maximize Results Anne Mahon Gives the 8. Community Learning Gift of Education Future Fund Raises $1.2 Million
NEW UWINNIPEG Magazine Editors LEGACY: We hope you enjoy the new look and format of UWINNIPEG Helen Cholakis Dr. Lloyd Axworthy magazine (formerly The Journal). To be produced twice Kevin Rosen annually, The University of Winnipeg’s newly-revamped flagship publication contains recent news, initiatives, and Contributors successes of the UWinnipeg community. Megan Benedictson Cindy Doyle Stay in touch with UWinnipeg via our online News Centre— Naniece Ibrahim newscentre.uwinnipeg.ca—which is updated regularly with Teresa Murray the latest news, photos, videos, stories, events, and more! Steve Pataki Diane Poulin All correspondence, advertising & undeliverable copies: Fabian Suárez—Amaya The University of Winnipeg Graphic Design Alumni Affairs 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9 Erin Heroux 22. 30. [email protected] Printing A Decade of In Conversation with Publication Mail Agreement #40064037 The Prolific Group Transformation— Dr. Lloyd Axworthy Inside & Out
Discover • Achieve • Belong
Cover photo: David Lipnowski Photography (L–R): Kevin Freedman, JoJo Ngongo, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Kuet Kuet, Grace O’Farrell, Kevin Tom THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
NEWSWORTHY The COLLEGIATE FINDS A NEW TEMPO Naniece Ibrahim
Juno award-winning singer-songwriter and “These new, exciting offerings at our Collegiate humanitarian Chantal Kreviazuk (The Collegiate are possible thanks to our continued partnerships 90) returned to her alma mater in late March for with the MCM and the RWB, two prestigious arts a launch event establishing The Collegiate as a institutions in our province,” explained Robert premier destination for students who are passionate Bend, Dean of UWinnipeg Collegiate. “Our new about music and the arts. An innovative suite of program carves out a new path that will allow programming will begin this fall in partnership with further collaborations with other Manitoba arts the prestigious Manitoba Conservatory of Music & groups to ensure the best program possible in the Arts (MCMA) and the renowned Royal Winnipeg performing arts. This, combined with our continued Ballet (RWB). A classically-trained pianist, high level of academics, will create a new hybrid Kreviazuk (pictured at right) performed at the event, of interdisciplinary learning that will make the as did Collegiate grad Dominique Reynolds (at left) Collegiate a very exciting place to study.” and students of the RWB (below).
In September, The Collegiate will be offering an instrumental band program (senior and junior bands) and a choral program in partnership with teachers of the MCMA. A jazz dance program will also be introduced, along with established courses in art, drama, extra-curricular dance and creative writing on campus. Courses in other performance arts, such as additional forms of dance and musical theatre, are planned for the future, as are opportunities for Collegiate students to earn undergraduate credit hours in a music course.
An innovative suite of programming will begin this fall in partnership with
the prestigious Manitoba S EP T E MB R Conservatory of Music & Arts (MCMA) and the renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB)
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 204.786.9221 4 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
News briefs
03.
Ani DiFranco joins UWinnipeg community The University of Winnipeg awarded renowned singer-songwriter and performer Ani DiFranco with an Honorary Doctor of Letters at a Special Convocation on Friday, November 22, 2013. DiFranco helped pioneer the independent music movement and has had a profound impact on the folk music community, including in Winnipeg. Feminist activists recognize her as a 01. cultural icon for her unflinching critiques— Special Convocation honours expressed in song—of sexism, heterosexism, three extraordinary individuals racism, and class-based discrimination. The University of Winnipeg held a Special Convocation ceremony on March 26, 2014 to honour three extraordinary individuals —singer-songwriter and philanthropist, Chantal Kreviazuk; humanitarian and champion of women’s rights, Dr. Denis Mukwege; and Joseph Stern, whose commitment to justice, development and good governance has made a significant difference to communities both in Canada and abroad.
02. S EP T E MB R IMAGE 01. 100th Convocation Celebration L–R Dr. Denis Mukwege, Chantal Kreviazuk, Dr. Lloyd The University of Winnipeg honoured former Chancellors, Axworthy, Joseph Stern Presidents and other key individuals who have contributed IMAGE O2. to the institution’s, 2013 success, at UWinnipeg’s 100th See write-up at right Convocation on Friday, October 18. A special 100th Convocation Image 03. Ani DiFranco receiving an Award also was given to recognize nine key individuals who have Honorary Doctorate from played an integral role in contributing to the viability and growth of Dr. Lloyd Axworthy UWinnipeg: (pictured above, L–R:) Debra Radi, Dr. Patrick Deane, Dr. Frank Hechter, Richard Graydon, Sherman Kreiner, Carole Wylie, Susan Thompson, Margaret McPherson, and Janet Walker. 5 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
NEWSWORTHY Artsfest Celebrating UWinnipeg’s Cultural Heritage
2014 ArtsFest celebrations will kick off on September 25, 2014
01. 02.
On September 27, 2013, UWinnipeg launched its very first ArtsFest. The nine-day celebration was an opportunity to showcase highlights from the University’s large visual art collection, archival collections and rare books, ancient artifacts and historic letters, as well as productions from Theatre Projects Manitoba & zone41 Theatre, Virtuosi Concerts, The Downtown Jazz Band, and the UWSA Freestyle Festival.
To kick off festivities, the University invited the community to a Wine & Cheese Art Auction and Live Cabaret Performance co-hosted by Wanda Koop and featuring a cabaret performance by Tony Award winner Len Cariou. Thanks to more than 230 attendees, donors and event sponsors, $19,200 was raised to support the capital costs associated with preserving UWinnipeg’s rich arts and cultural heritage collections.
The University is investigating development plans for a shared space for three of its academic units—Gallery 1C03, the Archives Centre, and the Anthropology Museum —in a project called “Heritage Conservation and Gallery Space”. The proposed new area will provide suitable storage and conservation space for its current collections holdings, 03. while enabling expansion of these collections, and providing greater access to them. Most importantly, it will allow for enhanced programming for students, researchers, and the public and, ultimately, enable the University to preserve Canada’s cultural heritage for current and future generations.
IMAGE 01./02. Boys Club exhibition in Gallery 1C03 (Photos: Ernest Mayer)
IMAGE O3. Archives Exhibit 6 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Highlights of UWinnipeg’s Cultural Heritage Collections News briefs The University of Winnipeg Archives preserves and makes accessible the public, corporate, and administrative records of the University and the private papers of University faculty, staff, and alumni. These records date back to the 1870s and serve as rich resources for researching the University’s history within the greater context of Canada’s history. Continuing Carol’s legacy New Downtown housing On October 16, 2013, UWinnipeg’ s A new 14-storey building is set to rise The Archives Centre also houses the English Department and Foundation in the prominent arts precinct nestled United Church of Canada Archives. hosted a reading that celebrated works between the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Gallery 1C03 is The University of by Carol Shields, for the Friends of Carol UWinnipeg’s Buhler Centre that will Winnipeg’s campus art gallery. It Shields Writer-in-Residence. The event provide students, families, and individuals a engages diverse communities through was a hit—with radio personality Bill range of living options. In partnership with the development and presentation of Richardson (76 BA, 98 LLD) emceeing the Government of Manitoba, UWinnipeg contemporary and historical art exhibitions and Don Shields, husband of the late Carol is constructing an approximately and related programming initiatives. The Shields, reading the short story Love so 112,000-square-foot building that will Gallery is responsible for the development, Fleeting, Love so Fine from Carol’s first contain 100 apartments, ranging from preservation and presentation of the published collection of short stories. one to three bedrooms. What makes the University’s art collection. Gallery 1C03 Videos will be posted on the Foundation’s new project unique is the “mixed use” typically highlights work by professional website soon. model, which provides units for residents Manitoba and Canadian artists. To join our Friends invite list, please contact at affordable, market and premium price [email protected] | 204.988.7509 points. The project is estimated to be Since its inception in 1986, Gallery 1C03 Since November 2012 the Friends of Carol completed in 2016. has hosted more than 100 exhibitions and Shields Writer-in-Residence have generously has welcomed over 135,000 visitors. donated $19,639.44!
For more information, please contact Jennifer Gibson, Director/Curator 204.786.9253
The University of Winnipeg Anthropology Museum collections 01. span evidence of the first human and human-like ancestors to the diversity of supporting MDP students Investment management firm and peoples and cultures in the contemporary Belanger Honoured at 2013 UWinnipeg supplier Foyston, Gordon & world. Incumbent on the Museum is the Duff Roblin Award Dinner preservation of the physical and cultural, Payne Inc. (FGP) has donated $50,000 to More than 330 guests attended significantly strengthen student awards tangible and intangible heritage in the UWinnipeg’s 2013 Duff Roblin Award within the University’s Master’s in collections, and the use of these resources Dinner at the Fort Garry Hotel, which Development Practice (MDP) program. in sensitive and responsible manners for raised more than $90,000. The UWinnipeg This gift represents one of the largest the enrichment and enjoyment of students, community honoured the legacy of the donations since the launch of the MDP staff, faculty, and visitors. The collections late Duff Roblin and his contributions to program in 2011. were established in the 1960s through our province, while paying tribute to Ms. archaeological and ethnographic research Jan Belanger, an individual who epitomizes The MDP is an innovative professional the qualities for which The Duff Roblin conducted by Dr. Jack Steinbring, the degree offered by a network of 24 Award is presented annually: exceptional University’s first anthropologist. leading universities around the world. dedication to both education and the At The University of Winnipeg, the MDP enhancement of community. Event proceeds uniquely combines academic and practical IMAGE 01. were directed to UWinnipeg’s Community MDP Student Tatenda Bwawa aspects of development with a focus on & FGP President James Houston Learning Initiatives. Indigenous Peoples. 7 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
NEWSWORTHY FUTURE FUND Raises $1.2M TO SUPPORT FACULTY PROJECTS Launched in fall 2012, the goal of the Future Fund is to raise $15 million in private funds to strengthen academic programs and foster innovation on campus. To date, more than 300 generous donors have contributed over $1.2 million to the University’s campus-wide Future Fund and many other department and faculty- specific Future Funds. The contributions have enabled numerous initiatives, including the new Chair in Co-operative Enterprises, $625,000 (see page 33); the Sun Life Diabetes Awareness and Education Program, $100,000; the Dr. Beni Department of Religion & Culture students travelled to Bordeaux, France in summer 2013 with faculty members, thanks to support Sahai Research Fund, $100,000; and the Arctic Gateway project, $75,000. from a Future Fund grant.
Recently announced FUTURE FUND GRANTS
On January 29th, 2014, President in the basement of the Richardson College for the Faculty of Arts and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lloyd Environment and Science Complex. Counter- $25,000 intuitively, these freezers generate a great deal of Axworthy announced the latest round heat. A sound and economical solution is to activate The Faculty of Arts received $25,000 to support of UWinnipeg’s campus wide Future special air conditioning in the event of building research, travel and a number of projects including: Fund grants to support academic power outages. a Shanghai travel course; a Greece travel course; the Indigenous Studies Field School; the Endowment of The $25,000 Future Fund grant also helped support programming, faculty research and Arts Teaching/Research Award; the Women’s and Science Rendezvous, a community outreach program experiential learning opportunities for Gender Studies Annual Students’ Colloquium; the held across Canada every May. Science Rendezvous students, totaling $75,000. Centre for Writing Excellence (RHET); Educating has been well represented at UWinnipeg in recent Justice, the Criminal Justice Annual Conference; years as friends, neighbours and families from all the Prairie Undergraduate Research Conference Faculty of Science over the city come to explore science. (Psychology); the Interdisciplinary Linguistics $25,000 Students’ Colloquium; the Political Science Faculty of Business The Faculty of Science is investing in several Seminar Series; and the Religion and Culture projects, including the purchase of a digital $25,000 Colloquium Series. polarimeter, used to measure the ‘right-handedness’ The Faculty of Business and Economics is UWinnipeg is also allocating an additional $26,000 or ‘left-handedness’ of molecules. This instrument focusing Future Fund grants to strategically through the Faculty of Arts in privately-raised is key to the study of environmental pollutants and support enhanced student experiences, including funds towards the UWinnipeg-CBC Investigative will be incorporated into organic chemistry and exchange programs and national and international Journalism conference—featuring Carl Bernstein, biochemistry labs. competitions, which foster experiential learning. Peter Mansbridge, and others—taking place on campus June 13-15, 2014. Future Fund monies also helped the biology In 2013, the Future Fund supported Manitoba’s first department purchase an air conditioner for -80 Chair in Co-operative Enterprises (see pg 33) and degree freezers. Some of our valued collections a Bloomberg data terminal for business students need to stay warm, but others need to be kept very and faculty. cold. A few lifetimes of research samples from field biologists are preserved in specialty freezers
8
THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
COMMUNITY The UNITED Health & RecPlex The Birth of a Community Wellness Hub
Diane Poulin
Ribbon-cutting on Spence Street June 17, 2014 at 10:30am 06.17.14
10 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Joshua Shyllon and Firomsa Galgalo are ten-year-old basketball players who live in Coaching kids for fun Winnipeg’s inner city and would love to be pro athletes one day. They can’t wait to get home from school and don their Inner-City Wesmen jerseys and hit the court. Many children like Joshua and Firomsa will now have access to the $40-million UNITED Health & RecPlex to shoot hoops, kick soccer balls and dance in UWinnipeg’s Pow Wow Club.
The RecPlex is the most comprehensive athletic, health, wellness and healing facility 01. ever built in the heart of Winnipeg’s inner an important new resource on campus, and UWinnipeg alumnus Neil Shah coaching city. It provides unparalleled recreational through collaborative community programs, Inner City Wesmen basketball players and health opportunities for the increased access to hands-on academic community, and supports enhanced student research and practicum experiences. sports programs and academic research. Neil Shah (BA Hons. 08) loves This facility inspires new possibilities coaching basketball. A philosophy It adds to the revitalization of Winnipeg’s and partnerships.” graduate of The University of downtown and West End neighbourhoods, Winnipeg, Neil currently works at the helps alleviate the chronic shortage of safe Programming within the facility is Manitoba Theatre for Young People. On Tuesday evenings, he can be found and affordable activity space for inner-city specifically designed to meet the needs shooting hoops, giving direction and youth and residents, and provides new of multiple groups: neighbourhood youth hanging out with ten-year old health services in the community. It also and residents, amateur sports organizations Inner-City Junior Wesmen players means up to 500 neighbourhood children requiring space, Wesmen athletes, and at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre on Langside Street. and youth have a safe, state-of-the-art place UWinnipeg students who want to have to learn, play and belong. fun and stay in shape. Construction of the “I have been doing this for four years new facility is possible because of generous now; the kids really reinvigorate me,” “This creates a recreation and wellness government grants, with the Province of says Neil. “I love it. I feel my week is destination for the inner city, with a unique not complete if I don’t get to coach Manitoba contributing $15 million and these kids.” Community Charter that ensures access the City of Winnipeg committing $2 million for community residents,” said Dr. Lloyd to the project. A UWSA-sponsored student Neil says inner-city youth need a productive outlet where they can Axworthy (BA 61, LLD 98), President and referendum approved a student athletic Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “Just as have fun and grow up with the same fee of $30 per term to support construction opportunities as kids in other parts of importantly, our students and faculty gain of the new facility. Great-West Life has the city: “Playing sports keeps them donated $500,000 to create the away from dangers out there.”
Great-West Life Healthy Campus and He feels the addition of the Research Centre inside the complex. UNITED Health & RecPlex in the The Thomas Sill Foundation donated neighbourhood will add new life $200,000 to create the Thomas Sill to inner city sports and recreation programs. “It is really excellent that Community Multi-Purpose Room, and there will be consistent community Wawanesa Insurance donated $50,000 time, it is a huge benefit,” Neil says. to support the facility. An investment of “We have lots of good programs but not $230,000 in energy efficient features by always the space. This large facility will help us for sure.” Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart program is estimated to have the equivalent positive environmental impact of taking 119 cars IMAGE 01. Rhonda James off the road for one year, and will allow at UWinnipeg’s UWinnipeg to save $25,000 in annual Wii Chiiwakanak 02. Pow Wow Club energy costs. The UNITED Health & IMAGE O2. RecPlex is also supported by a mix of user Joshua Shyllon leases and parking fees. & Firomsa Galgalo, inner-city Wesmen 11 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
“ This is a unique teaching, For student athlete Krzysztof Szulc, who training, recreational, and plays centre midfield on the Wesmen Men’s Soccer team, it means new space to practice. multi-purpose facility which “We are all excited to have such a first-class benefits students, athletes, staff, facility on campus. It means we can train and the community.” more regularly. It can be hard to get field time and we’ve had to travel to find space, Dr. David Fitzpatrick, Dean of Kinesiology now we’ll have a soccer-specific venue right there which is great for the team.”
“This is a unique teaching, training, recreational, and multi-purpose facility which benefits students, athletes, staff, and the community,” said Dr. David Fitzpatrick, Dean of Kinesiology. “It contains three cross fields, a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and a 60-metre sprint track for use in student intramural programs and by university and community-based teams. UWinnipeg students who are studying in Kinesiology, “The reality is we need space for continual Education, and the Collegiate will benefit recreational play for our youth teams, from the increased number of activity men’s league, women’s league and co-ed sites. It also creates new research, teaching league. The RecPlex is the new jewel of the and student practicum and employment city. Lots of thought has gone into it and opportunities for all faculties.” its amenities.”
The field, while lined for soccer, will UWinnipeg currently supports “The RecPlex represents a new opportunity accommodate a number of other field neighbourhood athletics under the for students to access high-quality sport sports such as football, ultimate, rugby, and Inner-City Junior Wesmen umbrella facilities on campus,” said Rorie Mcleod lacrosse. Wesmen baseball players will also which includes boys’ and girls’ basketball, Arnould, President of the University of acquire new indoor training space within soccer and wrestling teams. With new Winnipeg Students’ Association. “This is the RecPlex, including retractable batting space in the RecPlex available, the goal very much in keeping with the emphasis cages. In April 2014, Wesmen Baseball was is to expand the inner-city program to on health and wellness, and accessible accepted in the National Association of include baseball, golf and flag football opportunities for physical exercise. Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). through partnerships with the community We applaud the initiative that brought and support from private donors. The this facility into being.” COMMUNITY PARTNERS RecPlex will also become the new home Until now, a centrally-located soccer and for UWinnipeg’s neighbourhood Pow Wow The new RecPlex will accommodate a cross field facility available for rent to Club and Eco-Kids Summer Camp* which 55 by 90-metre soccer field, which meets numerous Winnipeg sports groups has attracts 1,200 inner-city children annually. minimum FIFA (Fédération Internationale simply not existed. de Football Association; in English— The popular day camp allows children to International Federation of Association “There is strong demand for this kind of participate in engaging activities with a Football) standard. It provides new indoor facility. We are a winter city, with lots of focus on Indigenous science. training and practice space for all Wesmen snow that can keep outdoor fields soggy teams, in particular the soccer teams. The until May,” says Devon Kashton, President Wesmen Soccer teams play in the Canada of the Winnipeg Soccer Federation. West conference, one of four conferences within Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). *UWinnipeg relies on donors to operate the Eco-U and Morley Blankstein, Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Summer Camp and gratefully acknowledges the financial Achievement Centre, Actua Foundation, and Manitoba support of the Manitoba Government, Centre for Public Insurance—in addition to generous support from Aboriginal Human Resource Development, Winnipeg the Winnipeg Foundation and the Moffat Family Fund, Jets True North Foundation, City of Winnipeg, Marjorie which helped launch the camp in 2007. 12 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
accessibility, accountability, respect, salvaging and recycling is by Wood Anchor. sustainability, health, wellness and The facility is energy efficient with a healing—was ratified by UWinnipeg’s targeted Gold LEED designation. Notable Board of Regents on June 18, 2012. energy efficient features of The UNITED Health & RecPlex include: high levels Chino Argueta lives in the West End and of roof, wall, and floor insulation; a heat has been deeply involved with the Spence recovery ventilation system; high efficiency, Neighbourhood Association. Now he is condensing boilers; energy-efficient director of the Youth Agencies Alliance and fluorescent and LED light fixtures with is a member of UWinnipeg’s Community occupancy controls; low-flow plumbing Advisory Committee. “Kids need a safe and fixtures; and a direct digital control system healthy environment where they can just to manage the building’s systems. Energy be kids,” says Argueta. “This facility is the consumption will be visible to visitors first of its kind in Winnipeg and it is exciting through an electronic screen erected within to be part of this, and to create awesome the complex. programs where families want to go.”
HEALTH & WELLNESS UWinnipeg’s Faculty of Kinesiology is developing new academic and research programs including the Heads Up Over the course of several years, following Concussion Institute and the Sun Life town hall meetings and in collaboration Diabetes Awareness and Education with community partners, a unique Program, located inside the newly created Community Charter was developed with Great-West Life Healthy Campus and a broad coalition of 18 youth-serving Research Centre. A strong focus is on agencies and community stakeholders. illness and injury prevention, wellness The Community Charter Principles promotion and health care for students and —which include openness, inclusion, youth. This coincides with UWinnipeg’s multidisciplinary Healthy Campus “ This facility is the first of its Initiative; the new facility also allows for kind in Winnipeg and it is increased community-based research with student practicums, and employment exciting to be part of this, and opportunities for students. to create awesome programs The RecPlex is connected by skywalk to where families want to go.” UWinnipeg’s renovated Duckworth Chino Argueta Centre. It offers an Athletic Therapy Clinic with athletic therapy, massage A ribbon-cutting therapy and medical practitioners; a multi-purpose wellness space; the Bill ceremony takes place Wedlake Fitness Centre; and the Dr. David on June 17 and the F. Anderson Gymnasium. facility will be open for
The University of Winnipeg Community student and community Renewal Corporation spearheaded use in September 2014. development of the project; the architectural firm is Number TEN Architectural Group; the project manager is Resolve Group Inc.; construction is by PCL Construction Canada Inc; and tree
13 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
COMMUNITY United health & Recplex key milestones
Spring 2009 September 27, 2011 February 2012 June 18, 2012 August 13, 2012 April 15, 2014 Dr. Lloyd Axworthy The University of UWinnipeg's UWinnipeg’s Board Demolition work on the Wesmen Baseball creates a President’s Winnipeg Board of Wesmen men's and of Regents ratifies the RecPlex begins with accepted in National Task Force on Athletics Regents authorizes women's soccer Community Charter. removal of McNamara Association of and Academics, chaired architectural drawings teams are accepted Hall on Spence Street. Intercollegiate by Dr. David Fitzpatrick. of a new mixed-use into the Canadian June 2012 Athletics (NAIA) A key recommendation athletics complex and Interuniversity UWinnipeg is September 6, 2012 is construction of a wellness centre on Sport—Canada West supporting numerous The University of April 24, 2014 new recreation and Spence Street. Conference, effective youth community Winnipeg, the Province Wawanesa Insurance wellness facility to spring 2012. sports teams under of Manitoba, the City donates $50,000 to benefit the inner city and Fall 2011 the Inner-City Junior of Winnipeg and support creation of UWinnipeg students, A UWSA—sponsored June 2012 Wesmen umbrella UWSA representatives, the RecPlex and to enhance student referendum UWinnipeg hosts in partnership surrounded by faculty research. approves a student community forums with community community partners, May 2014 athletic fee of $30 to develop a charter organizations and officially “break ground” Great-West Life October 8, 2010 per term to support to ensure community private donors, on Spence Street. donates $500,000 to The City of Winnipeg construction of the access and programming including a new create the Great-West commits $2 million new facility. within the new facility. inner city summer July 8, 2013 Life Healthy Campus in support. A unique coalition of 18 soccer league— The Thomas Sill and Research Centre. February 29, 2012 youth-serving agencies a first for children in Foundation donates June 30, 2011 UWinnipeg's Board —the Youth Agencies central Winnipeg. $200,000 to create June 17, 2014 The Province of of Regents approves Alliance—offers input a community multi- A ribbon-cutting Manitoba announces construction of a new and advice as the new July 1, 2012 purpose room within ceremony officially a $15 million capital multi-purpose RecPlex takes shape. UWinnipeg’s new the RecPlex—The launches the UNITED investment. recreation and Faculty of Kinesiology is Thomas Sill Community Health & RecPlex. wellness complex. created, with Dr. David Multi-Purpose Room— Fitzpatrick founding. ensuring dedicated September 2014 The faculty integrates space for the health, UNITED Health & the Department of wellness, recreation and RecPlex opens for Kinesiology and education of inner-city student and Applied Health, and the youth and residents. community use. Department of Athletics.
Show your support!
WESMEN BLEACHER donate to a new bleacher SEAT SALE seat or a whole row
We invite you to take your place as part of UWinnipeg’s history and its future by naming a seat in the Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium at the Duckworth Centre. The Wesmen Bleacher Seat Sale gives alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of UWinnipeg an affordable and meaningful way to contribute to the Wesmen legacy. $500 Each seat will feature a permanent donor plaque. You can engrave your name or the name of a friend or loved one whom *per seat & can be paid over you would like to honour or memorialize. Plaques can also be a a period of 5 years memorable way to recognize a group or class, or commemorate 204.786.9014 a special achievement or significant event. uwinnipegfoundation.ca 14 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
2013 Campus Campaign A Success UWinnipeg Celebrates Over $709,000 in Donations!
Department of Modern Languages & Literatures (L–R): Adina Balint-Babos, Sante Viselli, Rosaria Moretti Lawrie, Anne Rusnak, Kristin Lovrien-Meuwese (behind), Linda Dietrick, Monica Ruiz (behind), Claudia Labrosse, Mary LeMaître (behind), Jorge Machin-Lucas
More than 300 members of UWinnipeg’s campus said Brian Daly, Foundation President and CEO. community participated in the 2013 Campus “Over 30 faculty, staff and retiree members Campaign, which ended December 31, 2013. volunteered to provide advice, make phone calls These gifts are particularly important because and personally ask their peers to make a gift. We are alumni, friends, corporations and foundations grateful for their support and the generosity of our take note when faculty and staff—those who know campus donors.” UWinnipeg best—support its operations with their own hard-earned money. Some of the highest department participation rates (over 50%) in 2013 came from Modern Languages Counting $374,351 in new gifts and pledges plus and Literatures, Geography, and Athletics. $335,639 in balances on pre-existing pledges, a whopping $709,990 was raised by the campaign! The 2014 Campus Campaign will focus on those who have never made a gift, have completed pledges, Close to 50% of new gifts and pledges were directed or have not yet made their annual 2014 gift. to student scholarships and bursaries, while 17% Currently 100% of Women’s and Gender Studies was directed to various Department Future Funds; regular academic staff are already contributing to the another 33% went to support other research projects, 2014 campaign. programs and capital needs, as well as UWinnipeg’s library funds. With a continued focus on program and research needs, over 500 named scholarship and $500 “I credit the success of the 2013 Campus Campaign to bursary endowment funds and the Wesmen Bleacher our many volunteers, in particular our ‘superfantastic’ Seat Sale, the 2014 campaign provides many options co-chairs: Orval Voakes, Grace O’Farrell, and Neil for donors to direct their gifts in very specific, Besner, who signed more than 1,000 letters each and meaningful ways. made many personal asks,”
15 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
COMMUNITY UWinnipeg alumnus gives back Dr. Robert M. Kozminski’s Family Bursary to Pass $1 Million
As Vice-Chair and a founding member of The University of Winnipeg Foundation’s Board of Directors, Bob now works alongside Dr. Axworthy, making post- secondary education accessible, while honouring a great Manitoban.
“ I love seeing each new “The Duff Roblin Award was Lloyd’s idea. graduating class full Duff was my political hero and I knew from conversations with him that he was proud of of hope and aspiration. the reforms he’d brought to education I believe we’re changing in Manitoba.”
the world one life at As Chair of the Duff Roblin Award Dinner a time.” planning committee, Bob has raised more Dr. Robert M. Kozminski than $1 million for the Duff Roblin Graduate Fellowship, including a $60,000 gift from (L–R):Back: Brian Daly, Megan Kozminski, Lloyd Axworthy, Matthew Kozminski his family. Front: Deirdre Kozminski, Jenna Baker, Carter Kozminski, Bob Kozminski, Kelly Kozminski “My involvement with this institution Dr. Robert (Bob) M. Kozminski believes In 2013, Bob made a bequest of life is very gratifying. I love seeing each new everyone should have the opportunity insurance to the family bursary. He believes graduating class full of hope and aspiration. to attend university, whatever their it will be well over a million dollars by the I believe we’re changing the world one life financial situation. time he passes. This will change countless at a time.” lives, just as his was changed while at “I didn’t come from a wealthy family, so to UWinnipeg, thanks to a dedicated professor Bob had the privilege of addressing one such attend university I had to borrow as much as and a culture of open debate. class in 2012 when he received an Honorary I could. As a family, we believe anyone with Doctorate from UWinnipeg. the desire and ability should go to university Graduating in 67, Bob went from failing his without being hampered by loans and debt.” first year of university to studying law and “Receiving an HD was very meaningful achieving remarkable success in business to me. I was the first in my family to This is what motivated the creation of the before becoming a philanthropic visionary. earn a university degree, never mind a R.M. (Bob) Kozminski Family Bursary in law degree, and to be honoured in this 2005, supporting students engaged in the “I was immature, only interested in sports, way—I was very honoured, especially to community and public affairs. but my time at the University forced me to give the address—what a thrill. As a student, grow up. I was a committed conservative I didn’t appreciate the work and energy “We’ve seen the impact financial assistance with President Axworthy for a professor, that goes into creating a well-managed, and can have for a student. Last year we met and his brother Tom a classmate. Our lively well-financed institution, with motivated, one of our recipients, a young mother who debates led me to law which became a engaging professors. Now I realize it takes was proud of the example we were helping terrific degree for business.” a tremendous amount of work and it’s time her set for her children—my wife, daughter, for me to give back, to ensure it’s the same son, daughter-in-law and grandson were all inspiring place it was when I attended.” there—not a dry eye among us.”
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HELPING international students belong
The University of Winnipeg is home to more than 500 international students. It’s a diverse population, coming from over 68 countries. Students come to get a reputable education from an institution known for its small classes and close-knit atmosphere. To ensure a smooth transition to Canada, the English University’s International Student Services (ISS) has established a comprehensive series of programs that help new students adjust Language Program to life at UWinnipeg, including orientation, events, tutoring, and assistance with immigration forms. Driving Growth
ISS Coordinator Iresha Hewa Wellalage and her team seek to help students feel comfortable from day one in Winnipeg. Global demand for English language skills and access to One of the ways they achieve this is via the Airport Reception high quality Canadian universities are driving the growth of Service, through which staff meet students upon arrival at James UWinnipeg’s English Language Program (ELP)—which delivered Armstrong Richardson International Airport. “We welcome them, programs to 535 international students during the 2013-14 and bring them back to their residences to help them get settled,” academic year (up 30% from 2012-13). she explains. The ELP forges partnerships with universities and high schools The list of services that Hewa Wellalage coordinates is extensive, from countries around the world, including China, Mexico, Japan, and includes job-searching, health insurance, and work permits. Korea and Brazil. Students come to take part in UWinnipeg’s high During orientation week, international students are introduced to quality ELP offerings, which include a short-term four-week and a academic advisors, briefed on academic conduct, and given tours 14-week Academic option (available in three streams: Foundations of the University and various student service areas. English, General English, and Academic English).
Ultimately, it is UWinnipeg’s tightly knit community atmosphere There is also the Canadian Work Experience (CWE) program that helps international students establish themselves. “They that gives students four weeks of language instruction plus a know their professors,” Wellalage emphasizes. “A lot of them find three-week volunteer placement. It has enabled international they end up knowing the faculty, the chair of their department. students to gain valuable practical experience through volunteering It really helps them build connections.” in places like museums, art galleries, Winnipeg BIZ organizations, The University of Winnipeg, and at Winnipeg Harvest, where they can practice conversational skills in the workplace.
That opportunity brought Jocelyn Daejeon Lee to Winnipeg from a partner university in South Korea this year. A Canadian Work Experience student, Lee says she enjoyed her language classes and appreciated the care that the ELP took to ensure its students’ comfort. CWE students attend classes in the morning, and participate in informal workshops during the afternoon.
“It is set up so that afternoon classes provide opportunities for students to use the language skills acquired in their morning classes in a more practical context,” explains ELP Executive Director Nigel Dixon.
uwinnipeg.ca/elp
Sammy Archille & Jean Widny Pervil, international students from Haiti 2010-2013
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: COMMUNITY LEARNING Proud to be part of a vibrant inner-city community, The University of Winnipeg is boundless in its efforts to advance education in every setting.
Megan Benedictson
Right at home in a boardroom at the heart It is precisely this kind of positive her pride in her culture, and knowing more of UWinnipeg’s campus, a group of women transformation UWinnipeg hopes to help information about her culture, is really and girls gather in a sharing circle to reflect people achieve through its community strengthened in the program.” on what they have learned together and learning initiatives. The Sacred the difference it is making in their lives. Seven Program is just one of many Redsky says there is research Dinner is nibbled on as children, parents, life-changing activities run through the demonstrating “the more kids know about grandparents, and the group’s young leaders Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre located their identity, the more successful they’re take turns giving personal updates. on Ellice Avenue, an inclusive environment going to be.” But Wii Chiiwaakanak also developed as a bridge to help the University bridges community members to success in respond to the educational needs of its another big way, by inviting them on campus “ The more kids know neighbours. Courses are offered on topics to explore academic faculties and programs about their identity, the more that range from introductory computers they may not otherwise be exposed to. “They to Cree language for families. The Centre’s get to think about being a scientist, and for successful they’re going to be.” Manager, Sharon Redsky, says this type me that’s what always touches my heart,” Sharon Redsky, Manager, of learning is a great complement to the says Redsky. Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre traditional academic programs usually The UWinnipeg Model School in Wesley associated with universities: “A lot of the Hall is also opening the eyes of young people programming that we are able to provide When attention turns to her, 17-year-old to what they can achieve through education. families is really touching who they are.” Rose Nigidja discusses how she’s managed The 40-student program operating within to stop arriving late to school this year, an Participants in the Sacred Seven Program The University of Winnipeg Collegiate old habit driven by a desire to avoid gossipy soak in Indigenous cultural teachings and accepts referrals for students with a focus classmates. The leader asks what has practice hoop dancing. As the program ends on people who are underrepresented in changed. “I just built up self-confidence, for the night, a circle of chairs is formed in post-secondary, including newcomers to I guess,” Nigijda answers. Later on, she the Bulman Centre for Wii Chiiwaakanak’s Canada, Indigenous students, and teens explains that meeting with this group— weekly family-oriented Pow Wow Club. living below the poverty line. the Sacred Seven Healthy Relationship Nine-year-old Danielle Sinclair says her Model School Director Gerri Crilly says Program—has helped. “Because I know I’m involvement in the Sacred Seven Program that thanks to fundraising, the students trying to do my best with stuff in my life, and and the Pow Wow Club has helped her also receive a full tuition scholarship I feel like they’re supporting me.” overcome shyness. Her mother, Stephanie for Collegiate courses, use of a Macbook Sinclair, has seen the difference: “I think Pro laptop, bus passes, and snacks made her ability to deal with things, just everyday available through a nutrition program. challenges or frustrations, is better. And She says the wraparound, flexible support
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MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The UWinnipeg Global Welcome Centre for Immigrants & Refugees A non-profit organization supporting the pursuit of post-secondary education for immigrants and refugees, while helping them overcome language barriers to learning.
The UWinnipeg Innovative Learning Centre Focused on closing the graduation gap, Innovative Learning Centre programs engage youth to stay in school, with the hope each child will see himself or herself as a high school graduate and 01. then a university student. Programs include the Eco-U Summer Camp, and the Shine On initiative. they receive ensures they finish high his family. Of his experience at the Model school, but always with an eye on the future. School so far, Moroz says “it gives me hope The UWinnipeg Opportunity Fund “Over the four years we develop really for more success.” He now has an eye on The fund’s fast-track bursaries, close relationships with the students, and earning a BA in criminal justice, and a tuition credits and tuition waivers are able to help them find employment, career as a police officer. help ensure The University of Winnipeg is accessible for Indigenous find something that they want to study, students, new Canadians and It is the type of change that Crilly says the something that they are interested in refugees, and students from inner-city pursuing going forward,” she says. Model School was designed to achieve. neighbourhoods. As of early 2014, “That’s what I love the best—all of the kids more than $3 million has been raised Ninth-grade student Sidney Leggett says who didn’t realize they actually have a and 1,443 fast track bursaries awarded. in her first year she is feeling much more say in their life, and actually have control challenged than she used to be: “At my old over their destiny. They learn they can be Inner-City Junior Wesmen Under The University of Winnipeg school, I would sit in class and not have to empowered through knowledge and through Wesmen umbrella, the program do work, because by March I’d finished the learning and through hard work, to actually attracts 500 neighbourhood children whole year of school, so I was practically have doors open to them.” to participate on 13 different already on summer break.” Leggett says sports teams. With the opening of the UNITED Health & RecPlex, she’s grateful for the opportunity to attend UWinnipeg is poised to become the the Model School, where she feels she can city’s home of inner-city athletics. learn without judgment and with extra attention provided by small class sizes.
There are also more opportunities for life- enriching experiences. Originally referred to the Model School through his community basketball team, UWinnipeg Collegiate IMAGE 01. Varsity player and grade 11 student Chace Ninth-grade Model Moroz has developed his leadership skills School student, Sidney Leggett by travelling to two Manitoba First Nations to help facilitate Wesmen basketball clinics. IMAGE O2. UWinnipeg He says before coming to the Model School, Collegiate Varsity his only educational goal was to graduate player and Eleventh- grade student, high school—a milestone reached by few in Chace Moroz 02.
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LEGACY
President & Vice-Chancellor
THE LEGACY 2004-2014 OF DR. LLOYD
2004-2014 AXWORTHY
LLOYD AXWORTHY: Intelligent, intellectual (he
thinks) and unintelligible (we think), Lloyd will argue
uninhibitedly on any topic. He has participated in every
facet of College Life (except the Co-ed council), yet is
still a scholarship winner every year. The “hard hitting”
Premier of Tuxis Parliament plans to give the States the
benefit of his wisdom, for he leaves United this year for
post-graduate studies
—United College yearbook, 1961
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By a unanimous decision at its December 15, nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. 2003 meeting, The University of Winnipeg For his efforts in establishing the Board of Regents appointed Dr. Lloyd International Criminal Court and the Axworthy (BA 61, LLD 98) as President of Protocol on child soldiers, he received the The University of Winnipeg, with the job North-South Institute’s Peace Award. beginning in May 2004. A member of the Order of Manitoba and Axworthy has a longstanding history the Order of Canada, Dr. Axworthy is a with UWinnipeg. He graduated in 1961 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from with a BA from United College (now The The University of Winnipeg. He has received University of Winnipeg), and received an honorary doctorates from 12 universities. MA and PhD from Princeton in 1963 and His book Navigating a New World— 1972 respectively. Canada’s Global Future, Knopf Canada, was published in the fall of 2003. From 1965 to 1967, Axworthy was assistant professor of political studies at During his decade as President and The University of Winnipeg. From 1969 Vice-Chancellor at UWinnipeg, Axworthy to 1979, he held the post of director of the and his wife Denise Ommanney have University’s Institute for Urban Studies. been tireless supporters of Community Learning initiatives, aimed at dissolving In 1973, Axworthy entered provincial the boundary between campus and the politics, serving six years in the Manitoba community and removing financial barriers Legislative Assembly. The next 21 years so all youth can attain a post-secondary were spent as a member of the federal education. In 2010, Axworthy was made an parliament. He has held several Cabinet honourary member of the Sagkeeng First positions: Minister of Employment and Nation in Manitoba and given an Ojibwe Immigration, Minister Responsible for name—Waapshki Pinaysee Inini, which the Status of Women, Minister of translates to White Thunderbird Man. Transport, Minister of Human Resources In 2012 he was granted the title of Pipe Development, Minister of Western Carrier by local First Nations for his Economic Diversification, and most commitment to creating an inclusive notably, Minister of Foreign Affairs. learning experience that reflects Indigenous His work for the advancement of the cultures and traditions at UWinnipeg. human security concept, in particular, Axworthy completes his second term as the Ottawa Treaty—a landmark global President and Vice-Chancellor of the treaty banning anti-personnel landmines University of Winnipeg on June 27, 2014. —garnered international attention and a
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LEGACY A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATION —INSIDE & OUT The Legacy of Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, 2004-2014
Diane Poulin
When he stepped into his office on May 3, 2004 to assume the role of President and Vice-Chancellor at The University Kevin Freedman, JoJo Ngongo, of Winnipeg, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy (BA 61, LLD 98) was back on Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Kuet Kuet, Grace O’Farrell, Kevin Tom familiar ground. Forty-three years earlier, he was a student (Photo: David Lipnowski) walking these halls in what was then United College. Keenly interested in history, english, and political science, he planned to become a lawyer. Instead he left Winnipeg to earn a PhD at Princeton when he received the Woodrow Wilson Scholarship, launching a career that would begin in academia, span 27 years in politics, take him around the globe as Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, and then lead him back up the steps of historic Wesley Hall.
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purpose with a new Western campus; six faculties, including a thriving new Faculty of Business and Economics, and a recently created and energized Faculty of Kinesiology housed within a state-of- the-art block-long recreation and wellness complex; graduate programs offering a full menu of Masters degrees in science, arts and theology; and a student body that has doubled to 10,000 full- and part-time students. Thousands more attend the English Language Program, Collegiate high school and continuing education programs on campus.
COMMUNITY AND CAMPUS RENEWAL Since launching the most ambitious
Bonnie and John Buhler, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, and Anthony Kiendl (Plug In ICA) capital campaign in its history in When he stepped into his 2007, UWinnipeg has attracted an unprecedented $217 million in new According to Brenda Keyser (BA Hons. 74), “ Axworthy’s contributions to investment for facilities in Winnipeg’s Chair of UWinnipeg’s Board of Regents, downtown and West End neighbourhoods, UWinnipeg can be summed Axworthy’s contributions to UWinnipeg can and has become a primary anchor in up in one word: be summed up in one word: transformative. downtown renewal. The campus fences are “With his business acumen he has been transformative” gone, replaced by more community green instrumental in the construction of new Brenda Keyser, Chair, spaces and a pedestrian mall along Spence physical structures. He has pushed the UWinnipeg Board of Regents Street, creating more gathering places for University to diversify and enter into new students and neighbourhood residents. financial relationships to meet the growing need to become more self-sufficient,” she Bob Kozminiski (BA 67, LLD 12) stood said. “And perhaps his biggest contribution shoulder to shoulder with Axworthy as they has been his committed and ongoing launched the World of Opportunity Capital attempts to engage members of the Campaign on November 27, 2007. downtown and inner-city communities. He has been a transformative force in reaching “Our original goal was modest—$40 million out to minorities, such as the Aboriginal —and we kept revising that upwards to community, that have traditionally felt eventually $135 million as we exceeded our excluded. Axworthy has transformed expectations,” says Kozminski. “Axworthy UWinnipeg, inside and out.” was one of the best pitchmen I have encountered. He had the vision to transform Ten years ago, UWinnipeg was a small, Portage Avenue West with the Richardson primarily liberal arts- and science-focused College for the Environment and Science university ringed by fences. Today it has an Complex, UWSA daycare and the new outward-looking, global ethos and renewed McFeetors Hall: Great-West Life Student
June 6, 2004 October 2004 December 9, 2004 November 2005 December 9, 2005 November 16, 2006 Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Carol Shields The University of Wii Chiiwaakanak UWinnipeg Collegiate Largest Private Gift In becomes The University Writer-in-Residence Winnipeg announces Learning Centre opens announces official UWinnipeg History: of Winnipeg’s sixth program established the establishment of the partnership with Royal $3.5 Million to create President and new Global College Winnipeg Ballet School Richardson College for Vice-Chancellor the Environment
a DECADE OF HIGHLIGHTS 23 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Residence. That vision was achieved Belanger is Assistant Vice-President of and the perception of UWinnipeg has Community Affairs for Great-West Life, dramatically changed. It is now accepted and is a board member with the Winnipeg as a top university with first-class facilities Chamber of Commerce and UWinnipeg’s and exceptionally caring programs. It’s Community Renewal Corporation. integrated into the core of the city.” “UWinnipeg brings together a diversity of views, from the corporate and non- “ Under Axworthy’s leadership, profit sectors to students and community leaders in an atmosphere of possibility and The University of Winnipeg is innovation,” says Belanger. “In my view this considered by many as one of has laid the foundation for renewal that downtown’s jewels.” goes beyond the campus and plants deep roots in the broader community.” Stefano Grande, Executive Director 02. of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ The final touches are being added to the The RecPlex joins the cluster of new most significant and tangible community- UWinnipeg facilities which also includes One of the most significant shifts, according campus facility: the new $40-million dollar redevelopment of the AnX and a new to Jan Belanger, is the way UWinnipeg UNITED Health & RecPlex on Spence student and community housing complex has approached development: not as an Street—the largest and most comprehensive that is now in the works. UWinnipeg insulated campus, but as a partner with athletic and wellness facility ever built Commons, an apartment complex south of the surrounding neighbourhood. Via the in Winnipeg’s inner city. The complex Buhler Centre, will be a 14-story mixed-use unique Community Renewal Corporation is designed to provide unparalleled building accommodating 102 apartments it created in 2005 (with a board of directors recreational and health opportunities for both students and community residents. that includes community stakeholders) the for the community, along with enhanced (see page 7) University has engaged the neighbourhood student sports programs and relevant “Under Axworthy’s leadership, The in identifying what facilities and services academic research in areas such as diabetes University of Winnipeg is considered by are needed. and concussions. (see page 10) many as one of downtown’s jewels, heralded as a great urban experience for local and international students,” says Stefano Grande (B.Sc. 89), Executive Director of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and an urban planner who obtained his Bachelor of Science in Geography & Environmental Studies from UWinnipeg. “The University has demonstrated unwavering support in the revitalization of downtown, attracting thousands of students to learn and to live on campus and in the downtown area. Axworthy has enhanced services, amenities, and accessibility for students and the broader community—creating significant pedestrian traffic downtown, celebrating diversity, and nurturing an accessible 01. community that is safe and sustainable.”
February 19, 2007 Homecoming 2007 September 14, 2007 November 27, 2007 February 12, 2008 September 2008 Chantal Kreviazuk The University of Convocation Hall Public launch of the Bill Wedlake Fitness Classes start at new helps launch the Winnipeg celebrates reopened and University’s largest- Centre Grand Opening Faculty of Business Opportunity Fund 40 years as a University rededicated after ever capital campaign & Economics $3 Million gift creates massive restoration CanWest Centre (now, the Asper Centre) for Theatre and Film 24 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
ACADEMIC GROWTH academic initiatives, allowing the university COMMUNITY OUTREACH UWinnipeg continues to attract some of the to attract new faculty with special talents In Winnipeg’s inner city, many residents finest minds in the country. Both Maclean’s and areas of research, and providing the face multiple barriers to obtaining a Magazine and The Globe & Mail newspaper necessary support for student interns. higher education. Early in his mandate, consistently rank UWinnipeg highly for Axworthy made it a priority to identify and overall reputation, quality of education, “Dr. Axworthy has a pragmatic, action- remove those hurdles specifically facing class sizes, quality of teaching, and oriented and experiential view of the new immigrants and refugees, Indigenous student-faculty interaction. Augmenting academic enterprise that is intimately learners and war-affected youth. What UWinnipeg’s core traditional strength— connected to his commitments to the began as small experimental programs grew a robust arts, sciences, humanities and University’s increased engagement with organically to become a mission known as interdisciplinary education—two new the community,” says Dr. Neil Besner, Community Learning, adopted as policy faculties have added relevant choices for UWinnipeg’s Vice-President, Academic by the Board of Regents in May 2011. It is a students in the past decade: Kinesiology and International. “He has been a catalyst commitment to dissolving the line between and Business and Economics. Additionally, for progressive and inclusive change, and campus and community. Youth and adult education in theology has been rejuvenated a strong supporter of increased resources learners traditionally underrepresented in with The United Centre for Theological for research. What has flowed from these post-secondary classrooms have a home at Education, which has recently co-located commitments is new infrastructure like UWinnipeg, with supports and programs with UWinnipeg’s Global College in new our science complex, which has made designed to help them succeed. street-level space. UWinnipeg much more attractive to high profile scientists; a Faculty of Graduate Kevin Chief (BA 98) helped design UWinnipeg faculty members are Studies that did not exist a decade ago; an UWinnipeg’s strategy to give youth that increasingly entrepreneurial, attracting increase in the number of UWinnipeg’s extra tap on the shoulder. He grew up in significantly more research dollars to Canada Research Chairs (there are now the inner city in a single-parent household, campus, up from $4.4 million to $7.1 million seven); and new academic programs and thrived at UWinnipeg on a Wesmen in the last five years. This represents a available to increased numbers of basketball scholarship. “You cannot tell a 61% increase in external research funding. Indigenous students, adult learners, child to overcome adversity and hardship; The new Future Fund, launched in 2013 to and new immigrants.” you have to show them how. One of the best support academic innovation, has raised ways to do that is to have role models,” says Chief, who is now Manitoba’s first Minister $1.2 million to date (see page 8). It funds Among the most significant academic experiential learning projects, among other developments at UWinnipeg this past of Children and Youth Opportunities. “The decade has been the growth of graduate number one thing poverty takes away is programs. Students can now choose from 15 choice. UWinnipeg gives that choice back distinct Masters degrees, including one that to people through the way it’s using its is unique in Canada: the Master’s degree resources, and through programs like the in Development Practice with a focus on Opportunity Fund.” Indigenous Development. Now in its third year, this program is possible because of a IMAGE 01. MacArthur Foundation grant and partner Inside the Richardson College for the Environment & Science Complex CN. The program transcends borders by (opened 2012)
offering online “global classrooms” that IMAGE O2. connect students to an international RecPlex groundbreaking, September 2012 network of 24 other universities as well as IMAGE O3. with local, rural, and remote communities Dr. Axworthy and Dr. Neil Besner, around the world. Vice-President, Academic and International 03.
July 1, 2009 September 12, 2009 October 19, 2009 August 26, 2010 June 30, 2011 June 27, 2011 Bob Silver becomes Official opening of the H. Sanford Riley The Bonnie and John UWinnipeg creates The Richardson The University of UWSA Day Care Centre for Canadian Buhler Centre, home Faculty of Kinesiology College for the Winnipeg’s Seventh History opens of PACE and The Environment and Official opening of Chancellor Faculty of Business and Science Complex opens McFeetors Hall: Economics opens Great-West Life Student Residence
25 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Established in 2007, UWinnipeg’s and adults are taking everything from Opportunity Fund has raised more than free computer classes to Cree language $3 million in donations to support lessons at The Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Indigenous, new immigrant and refugee Centre; UWinnipeg’s Eco-Kids Summer students, as well as inner-city youth. The Day Camp attracts a total of 1,200 inner- fund has distributed 1,443 fast-track city children annually who participate in bursaries, and more than 238 of those fun environmental activities with a focus students have now graduated. The fund on Indigenous science; and the Inner-City also provides tuition credits to inner-city Wesmen community athletics program has children as young as grade four to encourage up to 500 neighbourhood children, many them to “earn as they learn”. And most of whom are newcomers to Canada, recently, UWinnipeg pioneered a program playing on teams ranging from soccer and providing tuition waivers to youth who are basketball to wrestling. leaving the child welfare system so they may INDIGENOUS INCLUSION & GUIDANCE 01. attend university—a model that is now being “ There has been a visible replicated at many other post-secondary As one approaches Axworthy’s office on transformation at institutions across Manitoba and Canada. the third floor of Wesley Hall, what comes into view is a detailed Manitoba map with UWinnipeg’s community outreach goes UWinnipeg, but also an the heading “We are all Treaty People”. beyond financial supports. Through robust internal one, Aboriginal Axworthy often opens public meetings private fundraising, popular programs on campus by reminding visitors that people have a huge stake in aimed at closing the graduation gap and UWinnipeg is located in the heart of the stemming summer learning loss operate UWinnipeg now.” Metis Nation on Treaty One land, a Treaty after school, on weekends and through Dr. Phil Fontaine, Former National Chief that promises educational opportunities for the summer months. Hundreds of youth of the Assembly of First Nations First Nations people. In November 2011, Axworthy brought forward a significant change to the governance of the University to the Board of Regents. It approved the creation of an Indigenous Advisory Circle to ensure the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives in governance, programs, and services and to improve access by advancing scholarships and bursaries.
Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Dr. Phil Fontaine (LLD 09), a dedicated and highly respected leader in Canada, is the inaugural Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Circle. “There has been a visible transformation at UWinnipeg, but also an internal one,” Fontaine says. “Aboriginal people have a huge stake in UWinnipeg now. We are involved in the decision making.” 02.
Sept 16, 2011 November 28, 2011 September 6, 2012 November 7, 2012 February 1, 2013 May 7, 2013 Completion of “A World The University of Official ground- Time capsule installed Haiti earthquake UWinnipeg Oral of Opportunity Capital Winnipeg’s Board of breaking for the in the cornerstone of survivors graduate History Centre Opens Campaign” Celebration Regents Indigenous new UNITED Health Wesley Hall in Special Convocation Advisory Circle policy & RecPlex ceremony comes into effect
26 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Creating a culture of inclusion has seen In the last several years, more than 20 managed to galvanize the campus and just UWinnipeg’s self-declared Indigenous post-secondary institutions have visited or as importantly, paint a picture for people population grow to 12%, among the highest contacted UWinnipeg seeking insights on outside the University so they could buy in Canada, and the number of First Nations replicating its promising Indigenous access into and be part of the renewal.” and Metis applicants increases every year. and outreach initiatives. These inquiries Riley, who is also founding chairperson have come via the University of Melbourne, of The University of Winnipeg Foundation “When Axworthy was director of a Mexican delegation, the University of UWinnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies, Board of Directors, says three unique Alaska, University of Toronto and York characteristics of UWinnipeg have he gathered young community activists University, among others. together to explore how to address the now crystallized: it is an important challenges in the emerging urban Aboriginal FULL CIRCLE connecting point for communities starting out, a welcoming place for community. That is how I met him,” says Sandy Riley (LLD 09) agrees the immigrants, Indigenous people, and Fontaine. “Here we are, 30 years later, Axworthy story has come full circle. Riley youth coming in from rural areas; it is a having the same conversation, but we are was Chancellor of UWinnipeg in 2004 and great inner-city institution that is at the in a better place now. And that is because helped select Axworthy as President. He very heart of downtown renewal and is of people like Axworthy. He is a visionary says UWinnipeg needed strong leadership connected in real ways to the life of the in the truest sense of the word—activist, and vision. thinker, full of ideas and community- downtown; and UWinnipeg is a centre “UWinnipeg was at a low ebb,” he says. “I focused. We are on a continuum, and he has of excellence for undergraduate studies, felt Axworthy had the personal qualities, never lost his focus to ensure Aboriginal increasingly important in providing a including enormous personal energy, people are an integral part of this city.” foundation for young people to be and the drive to make things better. He creative and constructive. Riley says Axworthy’s most significant legacy is intangible. “He created a sense of possibility. The biggest challenge a decade ago was that UWinnipeg did not set expectations high enough. Now we see what The University of Winnipeg can be, to the city and the fabric of Manitoba. There is a sense of confidence and importance in the role it is playing.” Dr. Lloyd Axworthy concludes his second and final term as President & Vice-Chancellor at The University of Winnipeg on JUNE 27, 2014
September 27, 2013 October 18, 2013 June 17, 2014 IMAGE 01. Len Cariou headlines First class of MDP UNITED Health and Dr. Axworthy; Jennifer Rattray, AVP Indigenous, Government & inaugural ArtsFest students graduate at RecPlex Ribbon Cutting Community Affairs; Dr. Phil Fontaine gala evening 100th convocation IMAGE O2. Dr. Axworthy at Eco-U Kids Summer Camp
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LEGACY Impressions
“ Axworthy has completely changed the “ The expansion of the University of “ Lloyd has been a good friend of the Manitoba profile of UWinnipeg. There is openness Winnipeg campus is a key catalyst in the Metis Community as he has been to the to the inner city, accessibility and Treaty revitalization of the West End, enabling global community of Indigenous Peoples. issues. Everywhere the business community economic growth and a heightened profile. His commitment to human rights, education, congregates the effect is felt, the striving Dr. Axworthy ensured that the University did health, and security has built a legacy that for inclusion is something that hugely not just expand but also became a supportive will grow for generations. He is a role model concerns us. First Nations must be part partner in our ongoing community and mentor to us all. of our corporate future, we cannot leave development. Students are now living and On behalf of the Metis Nation, I thank him people behind and we are very appreciative working here, often with their families. Dr. for his vision to develop the University of the role UWinnipeg is playing in terms of Axworthy’s vision of inclusiveness also of Winnipeg as a world-class institution accessibility. Convocations at UWinnipeg helped to bridge boundaries. We see added based on inclusionary principles embracing are very interesting to me because of the connectivity with the downtown and other local neighbourhoods as well as students diversity of the student population; I look central neighbourhoods, their businesses, worldwide. I would also like to thank his wife out at a League of Nations, and I could not be community organizations, residents, Ms. Denise Ommanney and the rest of his more proud. UWinnipeg leads the country as students and visitors. This increases family and friends for the personal sacrifices an institution that can help change and mold opportunities to work together they have made in supporting his success. a community.” on programming and projects to the benefit of all.” The University of Winnipeg has grown in Bob Silver size and opportunity under his leadership. President, Western Glove Works, co-owner of the Gloria Cardwell-Hoeppner His successor will have big shoes to fill, or, if Warehouse One retail chain, co-owner of the Executive Director, West End BIZ I may say as we would back home, big chest Winnipeg Free Press and Brandon Sun, and is serving his second term as Chancellor of The waders to fill. I offer Lloyd best wishes and University of Winnipeg thank him for leaving the University a far better place upon his retirement than when he first arrived. ”
David Chartrand (LLD 12) President, Manitoba Metis Federation
“ One of Dr. Axworthy’s most significant accomplishments has been prioritizing access to post-secondary education for “The most remarkable change under Dr. non-traditional students and Axworthy’s leadership is the shift in underrepresented or historically philosophy that has created significantly marginalized groups. This is so crucial greater opportunities. Education is a ticket because the more perspectives we have in the to individual and community well-being. classroom, the more students are engaged Dr. Axworthy has established not only a in peer learning and the acquisition of welcoming environment for all but also the “ I have been impressed with Axworthy’s knowledge that will help them to be engaged structural supports that help assure equal ability to listen and pay attention to everyone citizens. Additionally, I believe that young prospects for success.” at the table, and to provide a place where people value the community partnerships information is shared and relationships that have been forged by the University Richard Frost (LLD 12) can grow.” to make it a more dynamic and socially CEO, The Winnipeg Foundation conscious institution of higher learning.” Reverend Canon Dr. Cathy Campbell St. Mathews Anglican Church and West End Megan Fultz (BA4-yr 13) Commons, community board member with President, University of Winnipeg UWinnipeg’s Community Renewal Corporation Students’ Association 2013-2014
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LEGACY $217M campus & Community transformation
Richardson College for the The AnX Environment & Science Complex is home to UWinnipeg’s bookstore is a $66-million signature building and English Language Program— with state-of-the-art teaching and plus retail, food offerings, and the research laboratories; it attracts 2,000 downtown terminal for Winnipeg’s people daily. Rapid Transit system. UNITED Health & RecPlex Community green space is the most comprehensive athletic enhancements include the Portage and wellness facility ever built in Commons front lawn, the Richardson Winnipeg’s inner-city. It is connected Green Corridor, and Spence Street by skywalks to UWinnipeg’s renovated Promenade meeting space. Duckworth Centre.
McFeetors Hall: Great-West Life Asper Centre for Theatre & Film Student Residence includes new acting studios, a film is home to 176 students plus 25 studio, editing labs and a state-of-the- student families in townhouse style art flexible theatre; the new Babs Asper apartments. The building is Silver Lilac Garden graces the entry. LEED certified.
Buhler Centre UWinnipeg Commons houses the Faculty of Business and is a mixed-use 14-story housing Economics and Professional, Applied complex to be constructed between and Continuing Education. Plug In the Buhler Centre and the Winnipeg Institute of Contemporary Art and Art Gallery, to be completed in 2016. Stella’s Café are both tenants. (see page 7)
University of Winnipeg Students’ Convocation Hall Association Day Care Centre located inside Wesley Hall, its 2007 serves 116 children from the restoration was recognized with the UWinnipeg community and Heritage Winnipeg Preservation surrounding neighbourhood. The Award of Excellence. building is Silver LEED certified. 29 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
LEGACY
IN CONVERSATION WITH DR. LLOYD AXWORTHY
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LEGACY Q & A
In your decade at the helm, university together so it had an Q When you walked in Q the door on May 3, 2004 what has surprised you? actual campus and begin to improve to assume the role of services for the students. UWinnipeg president, what was going LA When I arrived I was learning a lot was seen as a good liberal arts and
through your mind? about how the University and city science college, and now it is much were changing, and there was not as more diverse with a broader range. effective a sync between the two. LA I had just been through a voyage of There is a lot more research and transition, I was away on Vancouver The University had been busy community work and reaching out Island and decided to drive back to surviving and if I brought anything to children and that has been very Manitoba to create a bit of a passage to it, it was that I had represented healthy for the University. We have between what I had been doing at this area for close to 30 years in opened up some really important the University of British Columbia parliament so I had a feel for the city. debates about the role of education, and coming back to the prairies. That What surprised me is that some of and we are on a track now to really had a real impact on me. Coming out the things I felt here as a student, the evolve into a downtown, community- of the mountains, I stopped outside ethos of the place and sense of social based, diverse university. We are Regina and it was a nice sunny day. justice needed to be refreshed. really writing our own definition of It felt like home. And of course I had We are now living in a community what it means to be a university. been a student here back in the 60s with a large number of First and I taught here for a while. It was Nations and Metis families and new just a feeling of coming home. It is a immigrants and it was a surprise Q How do you think UWinnipeg place I identify with, I had the sense that this institution had not duly is perceived today by the of being where I should be. connected with those changes. broader community?
LA I think the University is generally Your accomplishments seen as a very dynamic element in Q As you mentioned a few Q decades earlier, you were this past decade at the city. Our work in helping the a student here. Did you UWinnipeg are numerous downtown renaissance is respected ever think you would one and multi-faceted. What by the business community and day be president? is the one (or two) others, and we are seen as a real achievement(s) that you community player. Our work LA Are you kidding, no! I grew up in are most proud of here? in terms of providing access is the North End, and I had planned to understood and recognized. We do become a lawyer; that was my game LA I would say overall I helped, with a lot of interesting things here, like
plan. And then I had the good fortune many other people’s involvement, ArtsFest, sharing our treasure trove of getting the Woodrow Wilson to change the mission of this of rich offerings with the community. Scholarship which brought me more university. It is more academically We are much more engaged with onto the academic track. Whether diverse with more choices and the community. it was fate or good fortune, even up options for students. With (the late) until the time I finished my political Claudia Wright, we were able to career, I never ever thought I would bring in graduate programs. And we be where Principal Lockhart or consolidated the campus. It used Harry Duckworth once sat. It was a to be scattered and fragmented, shock to everyone else, certainly and it was important to bring the my classmates when we came back for a reunion a few years ago; they said if there was anyone most unlikely to be a university president, I was it (laughs).
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LEGACY
imbalance. No one is doing this Q Faculty, staff and Q Is there anything you students who choose to deliberately, it grew out of when would like to add? be part of UWinnipeg bring we transitioned from college to a commitment and passion university, and the grant system LA I think we have a very able with them. How would was set at that time. But there has administration. We have rebuilt you characterize the never been any consideration built and restructured. The University ethos here? into the funding about growth, so is much stronger and much in the last 10 years we have almost more resilient today, and I think LA There is a very high level of doubled growth but the provincial that is important for the new dedication to academic performance. grant does not reflect that. Plus we president. We are leaving a really People who teach and research had a decade of tuition freezes and good foundation. here are very committed to their three years of tuition legislation. vocation, and much of that involves We have among the lowest tuition Do you have a an active relationship with students. rates in the country—we have Q farewell message to the That is very much part of the ethos; the spreadsheets to show this— UWinnipeg community? there is a sense of responsibility but have not received a funding towards students. There is also a change. If I leave with one great I think the key word is community. long history going back to United LA frustration, it is that I think that has This is a community and people College of being actively engaged in to be reconsidered otherwise the who come here always have a part of community issues. My job was to community and the province loses this university inside of them. It is a take that and make it contemporary. the real potential this place has to be good institution. When I look back If there is a signature of what we do, a dynamic force for ideas. at the careers I have had, much of it when we develop a project, a box started here with the people I met. gets ticked: what are we sharing with My message is to the community the community. So when we build Q What will you do next? —in the broadest sense, including a RecPlex, there is a Community government and business—that Charter. When we build housing, LA Liberation! I will be free to make my own choices. Between politics and there needs to be a recognition of the there are townhouses for families. my role as president I have had 40 value of having a university in the Our role is to be a proper neighbor years of meetings and schedules. I downtown that provides a catalyst and an anchor institution downtown. am looking forward to more personal and a spark. I don’t think you can time with my wife, and doing some have a good downtown without a thinking and reading. I am very good downtown university. Q The work of a President is keen on international governance. never done. What do you Being a university president wish you still could have is not a Mr. Chips job. It has a completed here? multitude of demands, pressures and constituencies and takes a LA One thing I leave unfinished lot of time, a thick skin and a high is stabilizing the financial tolerance for ambiguity. arrangements for the University. Watch the video interview UWinnipeg does not get equal with Megan Benedictson & treatment when it comes to revenues Dr. Axworthy compared to other Manitoba universities. It is an historical uwinnipeg.ca/axworthy
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INNOVATION A Sustainable solution UWinnipeg’s Chair in Co-operative Enterprises Champions Market Mix for a Healthy Economy
Megan Benedictson
The relevance of Dr. Claudia Sanchez the benefits of co-ops, and the wide variety Bajo’s work can’t be overstated in a of ways they can be managed. A big picture post-2008 economic environment. thinker, Sanchez Bajo is looking for ways The first person to assume UWinnipeg’s to “bring about the generation of wealth Chair in Co-operative Enterprises, that is sustainable in the long run”. Sanchez Bajo says co-ops still create many of the same local benefits that led to their She explains that because co-operative proliferation in the 1800s. But she also members are also owners and believes they can help on a global scale. stakeholders, co-ops tend to achieve growth without taking on too much “It’s not good to have a closed system,” debt. They are often founded to says Sanchez Bajo, referring to how serve a regional community, so those individual financial systems are no longer stakeholders will make choices to ensure insulated by international borders. the business will be around for decades, She says that in the past, countries or meaning co-ops are motivated to be continents with healthier economies mindful of protecting resources and the “ When you have one type of could help a struggling nation recover, environment. Co-ops are also rooted in enterprise and you have a unlike today—when one country’s collapse regional communities, meaning owners problem, we all suffer the can trigger a global domino effect. are less likely to close up shop if profit margins narrow for a period of time. consequences, everywhere.” This inter-dependence, coupled with the Dr. Claudia Sanchez Bajo economic dominance of conventional Sanchez Bajo says co-ops members benefit businesses that rely on potentially from being involved: “I think it’s one part unsustainable levels of growth, leave the of the answer for the problems we face world vulnerable, says Sanchez Bajo. in terms of inequality, in terms of social “Therefore when you have one type of mobility, in terms of training, in terms enterprise and you have a problem, we all of learning business skills, in terms of suffer the consequences, everywhere. And market access for common people, small it becomes very difficult to find a way out, enterprises, artisans.” like we see now.” In addition to teaching at UWinnipeg, The multilingual Sanchez Bajo holds a Sanchez Bajo is carrying out research PhD in Development Studies from the evaluating housing co-op funding International Institute of Social Studies models. She will also be speaking at (Erasmus University, The Hague) and has the Quebec 2014 International worked with co-ops in Germany, Italy, Summit of Cooperatives in October, a China, Spain, and Costa Rica. In her chair conference in which UWinnipeg is an position at UWinnipeg, she teaches about Institutional Partner.
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INNOVATION campus sustainability A Joint Effort to Maximize Results
Fabian Suárez-Amaya
“We committed to absolute reductions. That's something institutionally, we should be really proud of.” Alana Lajoie-O’Malley
01.
The process of improving sustainability on campus has changed substantially since Alana Lajoie-O'Malley's time as a student. “My running joke is that I was so
IMAGE 01. annoying, they decided to pay me to do it,” laughs Lajoie-O'Malley, now UWinnipeg’s Diversity Food Services sustainability director. sources much of its food from local producers The story begins a decade ago. A small group of students had just completed a class called IMAGE O2. Alana Lajoie-O’Malley, “Human Impact on the Environment”, in which one of their projects was to develop a Director of Campus Sustainability proposal for The University of Winnipeg. After the course was over, they got together with IMAGE O3. some other interested students—including Lajoie-O’Malley—to form an environmental Students Jazmin Papadopoulos group called SUNSET. With help from supportive faculty, SUNSET fleshed out its proposal & Sam Dyck working in The UWSA Bike Lab and eventually presented it to a group of senior University executives.
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The distribution of responsibility has The Globe & Mail Canadian resulted in some huge successes. Last University Report 2012 ranked UWinnipeg first in Canada for campus summer, the university announced it had its environmental commitment. completed all the work required on its UWinnipeg adopted a comprehensive mechanical systems necessary to meet new sustainability plan aimed at sustainability its Kyoto commitment to reduce total strengthening sustainability practices in all aspects of campus life in January A Joint Effort to Maximize Results greenhouse gas emissions on campus by 2012, building on numerous initiatives 6% from 1990 levels. “When we set these already underway, including: emission reduction targets in 2005,” Fabian Suárez-Amaya Lajoie-O’Malley says, “we committed to Eco-friendly initiatives on absolute reductions. That's something 02. UWinnipeg campus institutionally, we should be really proud of.” The wheels started turning quickly, as 01. Introduced double-sided printing as Lajoie-O'Malley recalls: “I was sitting in the What makes this especially impressive is default on all copiers and printers the significant expansion that UWinnipeg on campus in September 2008, physics lounge and I got a phone call. ‘Hi, fully implemented January 2009. is Alana there? Can she please come to the has undergone in that same time period. President's Office?'” Dr. Lloyd Axworthy The University's total occupancy in square 02. Established Diversity Food Services meters has increased 22% from 2005 to in 2009 as the main campus food agreed to establish a Sustainability Task service provider, a social enterprise 2012 and will increase further once the Force, which would include students and sourcing a significant amount of its staff, with faculty member Mark Burch UNITED Health & RecPlex opens to the food from local producers and using as Chair. In 2005, Dr. Axworthy made the public this fall. Essentially, the University compostable cutlery, cups and to-go containers. announcement that UWinnipeg would grew its property use by a fifth, while cutting become Kyoto compliant. absolute emissions at the same time. And 03. Became the first University in UWinnipeg is upping the ante: at the 2013 Canada to ban the sale of bottled Things progressed steadily. The Task announcement, Dr. Axworthy reietrated water in 2009, an initiative led by Force came together in 2005, before an updated commitment to reduce campus students that spread quickly across the country. being formalized as a Campus greenhouse gas emissions 10% below 1990 Sustainability Council (CSC) in 2006. levels by the end of 2016. 04. Introduced phosphate-free More details were added as the Campus detergents and environmentally friendly cleaning products for use Sustainability Strategy came together on campus after signing on to the in 2012, implementing the previously Lake Friendly Initiative in 2010. determined policies and metrics that UWinnipeg uses today. 05. Partnered with the Forks Renewal Corporation in fall 2011 to send all campus food scraps, containers and Constructing the Campus Sustainability cutlery to the Forks to be turned Strategy was an intensive process. The into compost for landscaping, strategy is dated 2012, but the process allowing for a neighbourhood-level for developing it started in 2010. Lajoie- solution to waste management. O'Malley explains that “One of the keys was 06. Opened the UWSA Bike Lab in bringing people together and distributing fall 2011 to promote active and responsibility and accountability to sustainable transit options for different departments. We had to establish students, staff and the surrounding community. The Bike Lab offers a mechanism to reach everyone through the free year-round programming CSC. It was about creating this structure, so including bike maintenance and that people can make sustainability part of safety workshops. their daily work life.”
03.
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INNOVATION Andrée Forest is the outgoing Vice President Internal of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) and a long-time student representative on the CSC. After participating in the University’s 2010 “waste audit”, Forest learned that while the University was “ Students’ role in sustainability on diverting 55% of its waste, 80% of what gets thrown out campus is very different than it was has the potential to be diverted from a landfill. ten years ago, because sustainability To improve these outcomes, Forest spent time doing now is institutionalized.” some frontline work with the Waste Patrol, a group of student volunteers who educate their peers on which Andrée Forest items get composted, recycled, or sent to the landfill. She smiles, recounting some teasing comments she’s read on Facebook: “‘A U of W hipster popped out of the compost Meeting Kyoto Protocol targets in the midst of the and ambushed me for not putting my garbage in the University’s expansion is no small feat. UWinnipeg right place!’” She continues: “Sometimes people made Physical Plant employees Len Cann and Kyle it abundantly clear that they didn't know that the things Macdonald (winners of the 2012 Campus Sustainability they were using were compostable, which is unfortunate.” Award), have had much to do with this. “It’s been The Waste Patrol did commit to being friendly, Forest challenging, because it’s a rolling target,” Macdonald notes. “We didn't have prizes, but we gave very satisfying explains. “If we know that a new building is going to add high-fives.” greenhouse gas emissions, we have to ask: where can we reduce those emissions in our other buildings?” During her time in student government, Forest wrote to the Physical Plant about the need to improve Much of that reduction has come from a comprehensive the University’s waste infrastructure. The old series of retrofits on older campus buildings such as garbage-only bins have since been replaced with new Centennial Hall, Lockhart Hall and Manitoba Hall. three-piece bins that give visual indicators of where to Physical Plant employees have added occupancy place your waste. sensors to classrooms that regulate their heating, cooling and ventilation. They’ve also overhauled The CSC benefits from its original design, a mix of lighting, electrical and water systems. Macdonald different parties with a shared goal. The CSC also emphasizes that improving campus sustainability is helps the different departments connect more directly a team effort from all Physical Plant staff. “We try to do a lot of stuff in-house,” he says. “We have plumbers, power engineers, electricians working on this; everyone has a part—including the painters that have to go in after, to paint over the areas we’ve marked up, or the service workers that go in and remove the material that’s left over from a job.”
Allan Amundsen, the University’s Director of Purchasing, has seen first-hand how employees taking ownership can create impressive results, recalling an instance when the purchasing department was looking to increase its use of post-consumer recycled paper. Amundsen notes that Leslie Uhryniuk (UWinnipeg Printing Services), who received the 2013 Campus Sustainability Award, went far beyond the initial goal. “Leslie looked at it and said, ‘look, our minimum requirements should be 60% but we’re willing to try to test 100%.’ Going from 60% to 100% is huge, in terms of the impact on the environment.”
Interior of McFeetors Hall, one of UWinnipeg’s LEED Silver status buildings 36 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
with students. Amundsen believes that sitting on the CSC has helped the purchasing 07. In November 2011 Both McFeetors department stay in touch with what the University's learners want. Macdonald echoes this Hall: Great-West Life Student Residence and The University of on behalf of the Physical Plant and provides an example: “We had problems with heating in Winnipeg Students' Association some of the classrooms; one of the students brought up how people were tweeting about it. Daycare Centre joined an elite We wouldn't have known about that.” group of eco-friendly buildings in Manitoba by achieving LEED Forest insightfully notes the evolving position of students in driving sustainability policy. Silver status. All new construction projects are built to LEED Silver “Students’ role in sustainability on campus is very different than it was ten years ago, standards or better. because sustainability now is institutionalized. But I don’t think that means that it’s less important for students to be involved with it, I just think it takes a little more figuring out 08. Established an Academic Working as to what the role is.” Group on Sustainability in 2012 to examine sustainability content in UWinnipeg’s curriculum and She feels that the students' work is less about lobbying the University’s administration, research. This is in preparation and more about motivating the student body. “There’s a role for peer-to-peer interactions. for participation in STARS There's a role for looking at sustainability in the context of other things, which is what the (Sustainability Tracking, Grass-Routes Sustainability Festival tends to do. We partner sustainability with other Assessment & Rating System), a third party transparent issues to make it more accessible to students.” framework which allows colleges and universities to measure their The University of Winnipeg has made huge strides towards meeting its sustainability sustainability performance. goals, especially in the areas of emissions management, purchasing practices, and waste diversion, but no one is resting easy yet. Kyle McDonald is working to raise staff and 09. First cosmetic pesticide-free campus in Manitoba, as of students awareness by installing electronic dashboards that show real-time energy Spring 2013. consumption, Allan Amundsen is establishing a geographic database of where purchasing department goods are made, and Andrée Forest, who will receive the 2014 Campus 10. Underwent a major water retrofit project so all bathrooms on campus Sustainability Award at June convocation, is spending time working with faculty to will have low-flow toilets and sinks develop an experiential learning course so students can improve campus sustainability as (completed October 2013). part of their accredited coursework. As for Campus Sustainability Director Alana Lajoie- O'Malley, the undisputed driving force behind the University's success in this realm? 11. Completed a $2 million energy retrofit in 2013 to main She'll continue to ensure that the Campus Sustainability Strategy is being implemented, campus buildings to reduce to collect and report on the relevant data, to monitor and support the various ongoing emissions from these buildings projects, and to help departments foster the sort of independent ownership that makes and to offset the ongoing GHG their projects so successful. “My job is to collect the good news stories and tell them,” she impact of an expanded campus. This includes a 2011 installation of says with a laugh. Happily, she has no shortage of those. a hybrid heating system that will enable the University to replace higher-emitting natural gas with lower-emitting hydro electricity during off-peak times. The University of Winnipeg is grateful to its public and private supporters, funders and donors who have assisted the institution in achieving its GHG reduction goals, and who have contributed to lessening the University’s impact on the environment.
Learn more about campus sustainability
uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability
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PEOPLE Climate, Communities & Communication A Dialogue with Dr. Ian Mauro
Naniece Ibrahim
“Climate change is the paramount issue of our time and hopefully my work helps us to realize both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” Dr. Ian Mauro
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Strewn with film equipment, Dr. Ian Mauro’s office reflects his interests and his work. While chatting in his office, Mauro contemplates his return to Winnipeg after academic journeys to the Arctic and Atlantic regions of Canada.
Mauro is the newest addition to UWinnipeg’s geography department in the Faculty of Science, arriving from Mount Allison University where he held a Canada Research Chair in Human Dimensions of Environmental Change. “I was interested in coming back to the prairies because Dr. Ian Mauro, Geography Department, Faculty of Science I love this place.” “My plan is to visually document climate change across “I was interested in coming back to the prairies because the country, creating an opportunity for Canadians to I love this place,” says Mauro. “It’s great to be at The engage with this issue in their own backyards,” says University of Winnipeg, an institution that is committed Mauro. “Climate change is the paramount issue of our to digital, Indigenous and community-based scholarship, time and hopefully my work helps us to realize both the which are core to my research program and teaching.” challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Mauro is an academic and an internationally-recognized Mauro’s films have been translated into numerous filmmaker renowned for his pioneering of multimedia languages and screened globally at academic conferences methodologies. His interdisciplinary work weaves and film festivals, on television and in venues such as the together the social and ecological sciences while United Nations, Smithsonian Institution and National recognizing important synergies between scientific and Geographic ’s All Road Film Festival. Most recently, his Indigenous knowledge. Mauro also explores the human multimedia climate change research was presented in a dimensions of issues such as climate change, energy and major 5-month exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum, food security, which he documents on film. which included public engagement initiatives such as a “Day of Dialogue” on Arctic issues. “I’m particularly interested in the use of video to collect, conserve and communicate local and Indigenous “Collaboration and communication with the public is key,” knowledge of farmers, fishers and hunters,” says Mauro. says Mauro. “In my experience, communities are keen “This approach allows people who live on the land to to engage in the research process and have tremendous tell their own stories, in their own language, within the knowledge to offer, and my digital media approach seeks landscapes where their knowledge has been generated.” to include these perspectives and make research relevant for society as a whole.” Mauro co-directed the influential Inuktitut language film Qapirangajuq: Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change Given the unique nature of his scholarship, Mauro with Zacharias Kunuk, the acclaimed Inuk filmmaker has been invited to participate in expert panels who made Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. In his most on northern Aboriginal peoples’ food security and recent research documentary, Climate Change in Atlantic hydraulic fracturing. Canada, Mauro explored the impacts of extreme weather on eastern coastal communities. He released the film this Mauro’s research & multimedia projects can be past fall, touring it across Atlantic Canada with renowned found on the following websites: scientist and broadcaster David Suzuki. With Suzuki’s support, Mauro intends to begin shooting a new climate climatechangeatlantic.com change film in British Columbia this summer. isuma.tv/ikcc seedsofchangefilm.org 39 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
PEOPLE coming home City Councillor Devi Sharma Considers UWinnipeg a Second Home
Megan Benedictson
“As I gained an understanding Devi Sharma (BA 94) has been back to “As I gained an understanding of my own The University of Winnipeg many times strengths and interests, I became motivated of my own strengths and since being elected as the city councillor by helping people,” she says of her next step, interests, I became motivated for Old Kildonan, but she says returning following the campaign trail to a win. by helping people.” to share her memories with UWinnipeg Magazine was different. “From the moment In her current role, which has expanded I stepped out of the car, coming all the way since she was recently chosen as Speaker to Riddell Hall, I’ve been beaming. It’s like by her council colleagues, Sharma is paying coming home.” forward the mentorship and support she received. Each summer Sharma has hired UWinnipeg became Sharma’s second home a different student to work in her office, in the early 90s, as she spent countless in a flexible position that starts with the hours on campus studying sociology in student’s own goals: “So you make sure you the Faculty of Arts. She fondly recalls build that into the plan, and then they also the supportive environment that makes learn things they had no idea they were the institution stick out from some other coming to learn.” schools, and how it changed her. “The biggest thing I remember—there’s a big Looking back, Sharma says UWinnipeg reality of quickly becoming an adult, and helped influence her values, particularly in being responsible for your own success.” accessibility and dialogue, as did her family. Coming from a family of six children, It’s a responsibility she takes seriously. Sharma remains extremely grateful for Speaking with quiet intelligence, Sharma the sacrifices her parents made to allow says she didn’t plan for her current the family to immigrate in 1972, and position while she was in school. But soon for instilling in her the Indian cultural after graduating in 1994 she met Mike emphasis on the importance of education— O’Shaughnessy (then city councillor for with a modern twist. the ward Sharma now represents) who hired her. “Honestly I didn’t know a lot “My parents never showed any differences about politics at the time, but I was a very between my brothers, my sisters or myself. organized, ambitious young lady who It was always equal opportunity for all was eager to learn. And he gave me the of us children,” she says of their support. opportunity to work in his office.” “And being a female in a society where that wasn’t always the case, that means a lot to While that experience planted a seed, me, and that has shaped who I am, who I’ve Sharma left O’Shaughnessy’s office in 1998 become, and where I am still going to go.” to pursue work in the private sector, in the provincial government, in the non-profit sector, and as an entrepreneur.
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PEOPLE HOLISTIC APPROACH MDP Grad Draws on Indigenous Knowledge to Problem Solving
Megan Benedictson
Tatenda Bwawa (MDP 13) says it was a personal Bwawa says the holistic approach to problem solving paradigm shift that led to her current role as a health she’s seen on First Nations is a good example. She says at policy analyst at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. first she was struck by the kind of issues she was asked She experienced the change in perspective while on a to investigate when working in health in Fisher River. field placement in Fisher River Cree Nation, and was Community leaders felt it was just as important to look introduced to the holistic approach First Nations people at mental health, environmental health, and economic take to solving a problem. development as it was to look at what was happening with physical health, because the issues are connected. Bwawa “I lived on reserve for three months,” she explains in her says that kind of Indigenous knowledge is undervalued downtown Winnipeg office. “When you’re immersed with across the globe, and the problem of health disparities in someone else’s culture, and living the way they’re living, it health is also widespread. She hopes to change that. changes who you are.” “After my field placement in Fisher River, I was certain I She would know. Growing up in Mutare, Zimbabwe, wanted to work with First Nations communities, and be Bwawa moved to the southern United States to get part of that,” Bwawa says. “To advocate, and address social her education, which includes a Bachelor of Science determinants of health. To use a bottom-up approach in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Lambuth toward sustainable community development, and University, as well as a Master of Public Health and promote social progress and holistic well-being.” Graduate Certificate in Health Care Management from She says she’s grateful she’s been given an opportunity East Tennessee State University. She worked for the to do just that. American Heart Association in the US before moving to Winnipeg to pursue a Master’s in Development Practice (MDP).
Bwawa speaks with passionate intensity as she recalls her MDP field placements. All students in the Indigenous Development stream gain work experience during field placements in both Canadian and international Indigenous communities. Bwawa says the chance to “learn by doing” was a big part of what drove her to earn her MDP, along with the interdisciplinary nature of the program, and its focus on Indigenous development.
“When you talk about Indigenous people, you have culture, you have tradition, you have beliefs, you have ways of doing, you have ways of knowing, you have livelihoods,” Bwawa says. “And how do we take that, and integrate with the current, dominant models, to make it more functional and inclusive of Indigenous people.” “When you’re immersed with someone else’s culture, and living the way they’re living, it changes who you are.”
41 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
PEOPLE making connections Dr. Patricia Caetano Discovered Pharmacoepidemiology While Studying at Lockhart
Fabian Suárez-Amaya
pharmacoepidemiology, and I thought As Executive Director of the Provincial 'That’s just the coolest thing.' You’re using Drug Programs, Caetano has a job that basic medical science, understanding covers a wide territory. She oversees of drugs, but applying it to a population Pharmacare, the drug insurance program setting.” Caetano went on to earn a PhD in for Manitobans, and works to develop the pharmacoepidemiology from the University province's pharmacy policies. Caetano of Manitoba. describes her day-to-day role as “working Dr. Patricia Caetano (B.Sc 4-yr 97), on drug coverage decisions, pharmacy Caetano also discovered her love of the Executive Director of Manitoba's practice, and how pharmacists are working research at UWinnipeg. “I realized, doing Provincial Drug Programs, is doing exactly within our system to support the health my undergrad thesis, that it was really the job she always wanted to do—but she needs of Manitobans.” my passion. I was able to meet up with a never would have discovered her line of professor, who took me on as a summer Dr. Caetano’s academic background applies work if not for the student networks she student in my second year as an undergrad.” directly to the work she does today. “Let’s joined at The University of Winnipeg. say you have a drug that can lower blood After spending her summers researching, “Throughout my bachelor’s degree at pressure by 27%. Governments make a Caetano decided to pursue a complex UWinnipeg, I was really involved—in decision, this drug gets approved in the undergraduate thesis: attempting to the Biology Students’ Association, the country, and doctors start prescribing it. measure how deep the surrounding area Chemistry Students’ Association, as much Are they prescribing it to the people it was around a liver cell is. She explains that as I could be in terms of the general student designed for? When patients start taking it, she then examined the diffusion of body,” she explained. are they taking it long enough to exert some electrolytes into the liver cells, and the effect? What are the things that affect how Caetano credits her involvement in student different factors affecting their rate of well that drug is actually going to work?” associations with helping to develop her diffusion. “It was biophysics. And because career. “The students in the Associations my thesis was relatively sophisticated, I was Earlier this spring, Caetano was working had connections to labs. They knew where able to convince the graduate supervisors on implementation of the new you could get a job in the summer. They that I didn’t need a Master’s degree. My Pharmaceutical Act, signed into legislation knew of clinical areas that needed an professors were able to guide me, within on January 1st, 2014. The Act gives assistant, or help in completing patient Manitoba—what’s my next step, where do I pharmacists expanded scope of practice. surveys, doing things that got you involved apply, how do I structure my applications.” Caetano explains, “Pharmacists in in research.” Manitoba, with some additional training, When asked how she was able to build such can prescribe some additional medications, And in bustling Lockhart Hall, Caetano beneficial relationships with her professors, order lab tests, and administer vaccines or made important connections that Caetano is quick to answer: “Small classes. drugs by injection, none of which they were would change her career trajectory. To this day, when people ask me where to allowed to do before.” It was there that she learned about go, I say: if you don’t know where you’re pharmacoepidemiology. “There was going, the best thing to do is to develop “It's helping the system save,” Caetano adds. one student I met, who was doing relationships with people who “Things like smoking cessation products or an MBA through Queen’s. He was are somewhere.” acne medication, pharmacists can prescribe always there studying, and we started them so patients don't have to see a doctor talking. He explained to me the area of for that.” 42 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014 making PEOPLE discovering connections truth Dr. Patricia Caetano Discovered Pharmacoepidemiology APTN’s Cheryl McKenzie Applies Critical Thinking to Journalism
While Studying at Lockhart Megan Benedictson Fabian Suárez-Amaya
It’s noon on a Friday in February, and “I thought, it takes too long, it’s too hard, instead of sitting down to lunch, Cheryl no way,” McKenzie recalls. “So there I was, McKenzie (BA 98) is in studio counting feeling like I had no more avenues left, but down until the moment she goes live. to try to go to University. So I thought, what A day earlier, sources began leaking word the heck, I’ll give it a shot.” of a major announcement taking place on the Blood Reserve in Alberta. The subject— McKenzie says her first year of courses First Nations education—couldn’t be more at UWinnipeg opened up new worlds to important to viewers of the Aboriginal her, including an introduction to (what was Peoples Television Network (APTN). then called) a Native studies class she says It’s quickly decided that McKenzie, her taught her new details about her “ancestors co-anchor, and the rest of the APTN and the relationship Aboriginal peoples National News team will pull together have with Canada,” and a class on moral a live special. issues that eventually led her to major in philosophy in the Faculty of Arts. The broadcast is not without challenges. The announcement is delayed significantly, McKenzie says while friends and family and plans for the broadcast change from teased her for her choice of major, having minute to minute. But McKenzie stays the degree did give her a job opportunity collected, and when details are finally that paid off. While working at the released, she quickly digests facts and Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource makes deft observations. She inhabits her Development, she came across a posting role with such warmth and confidence that for an internship at CBC, where she cut one would never guess this hadn’t been her her teeth as a reporter before taking a dream job from the beginning. “I just never permanent position with APTN in 2001. thought I would be here, doing what I’m A lifelong learner, McKenzie says the thing doing,” she explains during a conversation “ I really think she loves most about her job is staying on in the APTN boardroom. top of what’s happening in the world: it comes down McKenzie’s first career was as a chef “I really think it comes down to study to study and working in fine restaurants. But when she and learning; I really thrive on that.” learning; I really became a single parent in the mid-90s, she McKenzie says studying philosophy at thrive on that.” realized the demanding chef schedule just UWinnipeg also taught her critical wasn’t working anymore. An initial plan to thinking skills, which she values greatly. take fast-track job training was abandoned “Focusing on the truth, that’s the biggest after she was refused admission to one part of philosophy: discovering what the course by a family friend. The woman told truth is, figure out what the truth is, all McKenzie she had too much potential not these different interpretations of truth… to go to University. I use those exact same things in my journalism job all the time.”
43 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
PEOPLE INSTANT MOM Nia Vardalos Naniece Ibrahim
“ The little girl turned to look at me and everything went quiet, and all I thought was, ‘oh, I found you.” Nia Vardalos
In her film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, giving advice. However, she does believe Vardalos made us laugh with her honest in the power of being a “fearless idiot” portrayal of growing up in a Greek family. and following your instincts: “Just make Now in her memoir Instant Mom, she the choice that will make you happy. Your takes the same candid approach. Written family will always love you, because you with courage, humour and warmth, the have to decide to do what is right for you.” book chronicles Vardalos’s life journey —including the making of her films and Nia Vardalos is an Academy Award and Nia Vardalos studied in the creation of her “instant family” Golden Globe nominated actress, and the Faculty of Arts at The University of Winnipeg from via adoption. writer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. An alumnus of The Second City comedy 1981 to 1983. The critically-acclaimed New York theatre, she wrote and starred in Connie Times best seller has earned numerous and Carla and I Hate Valentine's Day. awards that adorn the room of Vardalos’s She also starred in My Life In Ruins, and daughter. She explains: “My daughter co-wrote Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks. thinks she should keep the awards because Born and raised in Winnipeg, Vardalos she is the inspiration for the book.” now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, their daughter, and many pets. The cover declares “instructions not She is currently balancing her acting and included” because Vardalos is not big on writing career with motherhood.
44 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
PEOPLE A life dedicated to educating An Aboriginal Woman Honoured
This spring marks the tenth anniversary Choosing to attend UWinnipeg in her early of the establishment of The Debra thirties, Debra sold her home to pay for Blair Bursary. Created by her wife tuition and support herself. She valued her Mona Katawne, daughter Vida Katawne, experience at the University, admiring its and other loved ones, this bursary open atmosphere of dialogue and values of honours Debra’s memory by assisting access. This bursary provides a beautiful Aboriginal women in their pursuit of a legacy to Debra, her life accomplishments university education. and passions.
As a student at The University of Winnipeg, “Debra took immense pride in her Debra earned several awards. She also education, dedicating a great deal of her life worked in northern communities, where to educating Aboriginal women,” explained she taught computer and business skills to Mona. “Creating this bursary allows our Aboriginal women and was an active leader family to honour Debra’s life by continuing in the women’s community. She graduated where she left off.” with a BA in 1990 as the Gold Medal recipient in Women’s Studies.
45 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
PEOPLE Anne Mahon gives the gift of education
Proud Winnipegger, author and volunteer, The bursary fund provides immediate financial Anne Mahon wrote The Lucky Ones after being support and encouragement to refugees and inspired by the life stories of refugees coming to newcomers from Africa to discover the advantages Canada. The book is a compilation of intimate, and benefits of a university education, a gift heartrending stories of courage and perseverance genuinely appreciated by the fund’s recipients. “ Education is a told to Mahon by newcomers. In fact, education is a common thread throughout many stories in The Lucky Ones. One such story gift that continues With over 25 years of volunteer experience, is that of Muuxi Adam, who arrived in Winnipeg to give” Mahon began working with the refugee at the age of 16 after a harrowing escape from Anne Mahon community in 2007 at the Immigrant and Refugee Somalia. Thanks to the Opportunity Fund, Adam Community Organization of Manitoba where graduated from UWinnipeg in 2013 with an Arts she helps new Canadians learn English. She is degree in International Development Studies. also a founding board member of Humankind International, an organization dedicated to “My mother believed in the power of education so improving the lives of children in Dadaab, when she could get the money together we went Kenya by supporting them through education. to private school for short periods of time,” says The organization successfully opened an early Adam. “The teachers wanted us there because we education centre in January 2014. were ‘A’ students and they felt for us, so they said ‘stay and bring the money when you can.’” In March 2013, Mahon established the Anne Mahon Opportunity Bursary at The University Dr. Lloyd Axworthy provided the foreword for of Winnipeg Foundation. The award, which The Lucky Ones. contributes to the success of UWinnipeg’s Opportunity Fund, is funded with a portion of the “There is no doubt how important the desire proceeds from the sale of The Lucky Ones. To date for education is and how crucial assistance Mahon has generously directed over $10,000 to from government, aid agencies, schools and her named fund and the first bursary was awarded universities is in making that education accessible in September 2013. and culturally relevant,” says Axworthy. “As a university committed to making education “I feel privileged to be the messenger of these attainable to all those who dream of it, I am stories. The Lucky Ones was a collaborative grateful for Anne’s ongoing dedication.” effort and I knew I wanted to give back to the community that had shared so much with me, says In recognition of her tremendous volunteer Mahon. “Education is a gift that continues to give efforts, Mahon was nominated for the Lieutenant and setting up an Opportunity Bursary Fund at Governor’s Make a Difference Community Award UWinnipeg was one way for me to say thank you in 2012. In 2013, “On The Same Page”, a book club to the contributors who so generously shared their for Manitobans and joint project by The life stories with me.” Winnipeg Foundation and Winnipeg Public Library, chose The Lucky Ones as its featured book. The Lucky Ones is available through McNally Robinson, Amazon.ca, the UWinnipeg bookstore and other bookstores.
46 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
ALUMNI Alumni Address A Letter From the Alumni Association President, Kevin Freedman
The 2013-2014 school year has been a for various scholarships and bursaries very memorable one for the University and we offer services to students such as of Winnipeg. Our President and Vice- mentorship opportunities and our Food Chancellor, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy will For Thought days when we provide free “ Education is a soon step down after what may be the food to students during exam season. most fruitful and exciting decade in the Our mission is to foster lifelong gift that continues institution’s history and we are excited relationships between the University and to give” at the prospect of a successor who will its expanding alumni base, and the Alumni Council confers the annual Distinguished Anne Mahon continue his amazing work. The United Health and Recreation Complex is nearing Alumni Awards at each Convocation. completion and we just recently celebrated The Alumni Association has many ways our 100th Convocation ceremony. for you to get involved. We have volunteer The University of Winnipeg Alumni opportunities almost every month as Association and Alumni Council are proud well as various committees looking for to have contributed to these and other members. Our Alumni Council seeks efforts going on at the University. new members every year and we also The volunteers that encompass the elect three from the ranks of the alumni 14-member Alumni Council range in to sit on the Board of Regents. Find out graduation year from 1969 to 2010. more by visiting our website, following Our diverse group includes lawyers, our Facebook page, or finding one of our public servants, artists, clergy, active members. entrepreneurs, and alumni from five See you on campus! countries. Along with engaging other alumni to inform them of news and activities related to the university, we also raise money Kevin Freedman (Collegiate 99, BA 08)
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ALUMNI CLASS ACTS
/50 Who Loves Me. While Joan’s previous Weiss, Lorne (Collegiate 65, BA 69) Schulz, Tanya (B.Ed. 79) is a Resource/ book, Discovering the Bright Warrior, was awarded the CMHC/MREA Special Education Teacher with the was a book about poverty and about Distinguished Realtor Award for Seine River School Division (Parc La the possibility of living joyfully in a 2012 at the Manitoba Real Estate Salle School). broken world, The God Who Loves Association annual general meeting. Me takes us to a deeper level of the He was also elected as the Manitoba spiritual journey. Seeking spiritual regional representative to the wisdom, she moves beyond the quest Canadian Real Estate Association for social justice to the quest for God, board of directors for a two-year term. discovering a God of unconditional Johnson, Alan (BA 52) is now retired love, and deep joy. Joan has received as a Vice President at the Royal Bank the University of Manitoba Faculty / 70 of Canada. of Social Work’s Quest for Excellence Award for Advocacy and the Winnipeg Bates, Brian (BA 73) has come full Thornton, Denis (BA 71) is a Winnipeg Mutch, Donald (BA 53) turned 84 in Labour Council’s Certificate of circle and is now back in Dryden, ON Solidarity. Joan was a founding after retiring as a pro hockey scout playwright and a current member May, 2014. He is the family archivist of the Alumni Council. Two of and genealogist and has been building member of the Canadian Association with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the of the Non-Employed and served NHL. Brian lived in Minneapolis, MN Thornton’s plays will be performed the family tree for 10 years. Don is also by the *Marketplace Players at this the church librarian and member of as the Chairperson of CANE from for the last 16 years. 1993 to 2000. She has served on the year’s Gimli Summer Theatre Program the Worship Committee at Woodroffe taking place at the A-Spire Theatre United Church in West Ottawa. After Board of Directors of the National Kuryk, Jeffrey (BA Hons 76) (76 2ND Street, Gimli, MB). On July graduating from United College, Don Anti-Poverty Organization, 10 Days for has retired as a psychologist in 4, 5 & 6, “Live at the Studio”—featuring earned his Library Science degree Global Justice, Urban Core Support Victoria, BC. He is currently updating music, comedy & drama. On Aug 15, from the University of Toronto, Network, Basic Income Canada and his self-improvement app “iAwoke” 16 & 17, “Cruising in September”—a graduating in 1957. After graduation, the Manitoba Student Christian available in the iTunes app store. Movement. She has done educational one act comedy. Show Times: 8 he went to work at the Ottawa Public pm–Friday & Saturday. 2:30 pm– Library where he was employed for 37 workshops for Kairos, a Canadian McVicar, Brian (BA 73) retired on Jan Ecumenical Justice Initiative in 27, 2012 as the jail superintendent boss Sunday. Tickets $15.00 Reservations: years ending his career as Director of 204.642.8785 Branch Services supervising 80 staff numerous congregations and of the Brandon Correctional Centre in seven branch libraries. Don and his church organizations. after 25 years of service. *Denis co-directs the Marketplace wife, Phyllis, celebrated their golden Players with Brett Buckingham Kennedy, Christopher wedding anniversary in October 2011. (Collegiate 62, (Collegiate ‘65, BA ‘69). BA 67) has self-published a book titled God-God-God-Nothing But God which are 366 sonnets based on the Psalms /80 /60 and some on the Book of Job. It is a Daily Devotional which has one sonnet Adams (Sidwall), Karen Allard, Ken (BA 80) works for Public for each day of the year including the (BA Hons 67) is the head of University Works and Government Services 366th day of the Leap Year! Chris was of Manitoba Libraries. She has Canada (Government of Canada) as a Associate Registrar at UWinnipeg received the Canadian Library Supply Specialist. He also serves on from 1967-1973 at which time he left Association’s Outstanding Service to Milord, Christian (BA 77) the Manitoba Conservatory of Music to be the Registrar at Brandon Librarianship Award. Adams has made is a USCG veteran. Having taught and Arts (MCMA) Board of Directors University from 1973 to 1987. outstanding contributions to Canadian English to corporate personnel in and is a Program Committee Chair Christopher is very thankful to United librarianship in a distinguished career Japan, Christian has been teaching Member for Canadian Power and Sail College “for giving an old guy the that spans public, government and secondary education in the Anaheim (CPS), Winnipeg Squadron. chance for starting his education at the academic libraries. In part, she was Union H.S. District (AUHSD). He has age of 28—that was very old then for an honoured for her leadership on pivotal also published numerous articles in Cottick, Dr. Christopher entering mature student!” library issues, such as copyright and major media outlets. (B.SC. 86) is the Section Head of Adult access-to-information issues. Dentistry at the Health Sciences O’Brien (Penner), Gisela (BA 65) Petrynko, Brian (BA 79) Centre, employed by the University of following up on her direction Johannson (Parker), Joan (BA 64) is the Chief Marketing Officer at Manitoba’s Faculty of Dentistry. Chris of A Man For All Seasons by Robert is the author of Discovering the Carpathia Credit Union Limited also works at a dental clinic at the Bolt, Gisela directed The Stillborn Bright Warrior: Confessions of a here in Winnipeg. Health Sciences Centre specializing in Lover by Timothy Findley for the Social Activist and Three Models of treating special needs dental patients Theatre Arts Guild which ran Sammons, James Child Welfare: Protection, Prevention (BA Hons 70) who are medically, mentally or from April 24–May 10, 2014. The and Empowerment. Joan was at the is a history teacher with College Lycee physically challenged. Theatre Arts Guild in Halifax, NS is Prairie Ink Restaurant in McNally de Ferney Voltaire in Ferney Voltaire, Canada’s oldest continually operating Robinson in Winnipeg last November France. He had been a history teacher community theatre. to launch her latest book, The God with the ALA-ELP association, also in Ferney Voltaire, France. 48 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Friesen, Julie-Anne (BA 84) O’Malley, Michael (BA 80) is the works for the City of New York, owner of La Parfumerie, one of the Department of Health and few perfume shops anywhere that Mental Hygiene as their Deputy creates custom-made, all-natural Commissioner and is excited to be fragrances. Michael lives and works working in the field of public health in out of a house in the Wolseley area of the largest and most proactive health Winnipeg. La Parfumerie’s website is: department in the U.S. Although nothingperfume.com she moved here for grad school 19 years ago and is now a dual citizen, Pan, Che Fun (Eric) (Collegiate 86) Fennell, Rev. Robert (BA 91) Jackson, Krista (Collegiate 90) she makes sure her Manhattan-born is an Assistant Vice-President recently edited Intercultural Visions: is an artistic director and co-founder children and her come to Manitoba for Keystone Foods (a member of Called to be the Church. Each chapter of Winnipeg’s zone41 theatre troupe. to visit as often as possible. Winnipeg Marfrig Group) in Hong Kong. Eric is of this multi-author volume explores a She won the second annual Gina will always be home to Julie-Anne. She enjoying the best time of his life and line of The United Church of Canada’s Wilkinson Prize in March 2013. The would love to meet other UWinnipeg fondly remembers his high school A New Creed and its significance in the award honoured a female theatre artist alumni in the NYC area. Anyone days. Playing in an inter-department United Church’s quest to become an who transitioned from one theatre interested in taking up Julie-Anne’s basketball league these two months as intercultural church. discipline (acting, stage managing, offer can do so by contacting Alumni an old veteran, he remembers the good playwriting, administration, etc.) to Affairs at:[email protected] times being a Wesmen player reaching directing. The former actress began a provincial game. He misses all of the her career appearing in Manitoba team members and coaches. Theatre Centre’s 1986 production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. Krista attended Ryerson Theatre School /90 and has since acted in Shakespeare, Ibsen, Synge, Aeschylus, Moliere, Coward, Brecht as well as in several new Canadian plays. As co-artistic Headon, Fred (BA 92) is President director of Coping Stone Theatre, of the Canadian Bar Association for she co-produced and acted in the 2013-14. Mr. Headon is Assistant Toronto premiere of Connie Gault’s Gesser, Abraham (Avi) (Collegiate 88) General Counsel, Labour and Sky at Tarragon Extra Space, for which is a partner in New York law firm Employment Law, at Air Canada. Cecile Belec won a Dora Award for Davis Polk’s Litigation Department. Bailey, Roger (Collegiate 84, B.Sc. 96) He is the first in-house counsel to outstanding set design. Krista was part He represents clients in a wide range is a registered professional engineer. serve as president of the association. of the Neil Munro Intern Directors of white collar criminal defense After UWinnipeg, Roger attended Project at the Shaw Festival in 2012 matters and investigations as well Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Helton (Roberts), Tanya (BA 95) and assisted on such productions as as complex commercial litigation. University and obtained B.Sc. and MS was appointed as the Dean Misalliance, His Girl Friday and From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Gesser was degrees in Civil Engineering. Roger of Instruction at Northwest Hedda Gabler. the Counsel to the Chief of the Justice went on to work in Florida and Arizona Community College in Terrace, Department, Criminal Division’s and is currently the General Manager/ BC in August 2013. Fraud Section, which oversaw more CEO of Central Contra Costa Sanitary than 100 federal prosecutors working District in northern California in the Henderson, Matthew (BA 98) on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Bay Area. is a teacher at St. John’s-Ravenscourt securities, health care, and other fraud School and received a 2013 Governor investigations and cases. From early Dash, Michelle (BA 4–yr 91) General’s History Award for 2011 through August 2013, Mr. Gesser is a Medical Transcriptionist with Excellence in Teaching. was the Deputy Director of the Justice CancerCare Manitoba. She is a current Department, Criminal Division’s graduate student in the Humanities Hurley, Daniel (BA 93) is the Executive Deepwater Horizon Task Force, and from California State University, Director of University Relations at Johannson, Elizabeth (Collegiate was responsible for its operations, Dominquez Hills. Michelle is a Vancouver Island University based in 91, BA Hons 97) is now a Research which included 12 prosecutors Registered Nurse. Nanaimo, BC. He lives with his spouse, Accounting Assistant in Family and dozens of agents. He was also Kim Martin, and their son, Liam, on Medicine at the University of Alberta. jointly responsible for investigating, Dubois, Melanie (B.Sc. 4–yr 95) Gabriola Island, BC. Elizabeth, a well-known director and prosecuting and securing guilty pleas is a Senior Riparian and Biodiversity actor within the Edmonton theatre from BP, Transocean and Halliburton Specialist with Agriculture AgriFood community, moved to Alberta over a for their conduct in connection with Canada in their Science and decade ago and worked for seven plus the Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of Technology Branch. Prior to that, she years at the Alberta Computers for Mexico, the largest criminal resolution was at Manitoba Forage Council doing Schools, a registered charity which in U.S. history. Mr. Gesser was also Agriculture Pest Research. refurbishes computers and distributes part of the team that prosecuted them to schools and non-profits across individuals for obstruction and the province, while she was pursuing a manslaughter relating to the disaster. professional accounting designation.
Leven, Elliot (BA 82) was appointed Vice Chair of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission in January 2014.
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Katyal, Vipul (B.Sc. 4–yr 98) Swainson, Brian (B.Sc. 4–yr 93) Hughes, Paul (Toby) (BA 09) is the President of My Vision Express went from UWinnipeg to the /00 is a performer based in Winnipeg. (Insight Software, LLC) in Fort University of Waterloo and earned As an actor, he has appeared on stage Lauderdale, FL specializing in Eyecare his Master’s in Mathematics. He then all over Winnipeg, including roles Practice Management Software went on to achieve his designation with MTC, MTYP, PTE and most and Electronic Medical Records. as a Certified General Accountant. recently played the role of Titular King Since 2004, My Vision Express has Having worked in the public, non- in Henry V with Shakespeare in the served the needs of optical retailers, profit, and private sectors, with focus Ruins in 2012. He has played villains optometrists and ophthalmologists. on healthcare and long-term care in in two episodes of the hit comedy/ My Vision Express Electronic Health recent years, he had been the Director horror TV series Todd and the Book of Records and Practice Management of Finance at Saint Luke’s Place for 2 Azad, Meghan (B.Sc. Hons. 04) Pure Evil and regularly performs with System is used in four different years until being appointed their Chief was announced as a recipient of the improv troupes. Toby is also a founding languages by over 12,000 eye care Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2013 CIHR Banting Fellowship, a member of the DnD Improv Show cast. professionals around the world. 2013. Saint Luke’s Place is a charitable, prestigious funding opportunity worth Insight Software, LLC was formed to not-for-profit and accredited $140,000 over a two-year period. The meet the specific demands of eye care long-term care facility located in funding will allow her to continue her business management, designing from Cambridge, Ontario, also offering research into the impact of children’s the ground up an eye care industry retirement home assisted living and environments on the bacteria living in specific software. Insight Software, independent living apartments. He their digestive tracts (gut microbiota), LLC, has ranked in the Inc. 5000 lives with his partner in Paris, Ontario. and the development of allergies later fastest growing private companies in in life. Azad is a postdoctoral fellow in the US for the past two years. Welfley, Michael (BA 93) is in his 27th the University of Alberta’s Department year as an employee at the Manitoba of Pediatrics in the Faculty of McMahon, Victoria (B.Ed. 94, BA Hons Youth Centre. Medicine & Dentistry. Azad was Johnston, Adam (BA 11) has an eventual 05) is the Department Head of English also valedictorian and the recipient goal of being a clean tech policy analyst at Grant Park High School in the of the Chancellor’s Gold Medal at down the road while he sharpens his Winnipeg School Division. UWinnipeg in 2004. skills as a renewable energy writer. Adam is currently working on a book Neufeld, Dr. Matthew (BA Hons 95, Bakx, Kyle (BA 4–yr 07) on clean tech and how to relate it to a MA 02) had his monograph, The Civil is a journalist for CBC Calgary. broader audience. You can follow him Wars After 1960, Public Remembering on Twitter @adamjohnstonwpg or in Late Stuart England published in Chartrand, Megan (BA 08, B.Ed. 09) atadammjohnston.wordpress.com. May 2013. is working as a teacher in the Kelsey School Division in The Pas, MB. Jurczak, Jamie (BA 00) is a lawyer with Pokrant, Hartley (B.Sc. 97) Woodward, Vance (Collegiate 92, B.Sc. Taylor McCaffrey in Winnipeg. She is recently retired from the provincial 95) went on to earn a JD from Osgoode Elias-Gagnon (Elias-Lopez), Wendy also the Chair of Manitoba Chambers government as the Director of Hall Law School of York University in (BA 06) is a Liaison Specialist with the of Commerce Board of Directors for Information Technology after 40 years Toronto and an MBA in Economics Government of Manitoba. 2013-2014 and co-owner of Maples with Manitoba Conservation. from Schulich School of Business of Academy of Dance. York University. After completing Guenther, Bruce (BA 4-yr 05) his education, Vance clerked at the is the Director of Disaster Response King, Michelle (BA 05) is the senior Federal Court of Appeal and then at the Mennonite Central Committee production coordinator with Proper worked at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, here in Winnipeg. Television. She has worked with Wharton & Garrison in New York City. IATSE, DGC, ACTRA, The Weinstein In his spare time, he jogs, does Crossfit, Company, Entertainment One Ltd., travels, enjoys wine, writes on matters Insight Production Company Ltd., involving technology and the law and Cineflix Productions Inc., and Proper otherwise enjoys life. Television Inc. including shows such as MasterChef Canada, Undercover Boss Canada, Never Ever Do This Sharma (Katyal), Timmy (B.Ed. 94) At Home, Canadian Pickers, and was both humbled and honoured to Canadian Idol to name a few. receive a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee “Without the guidance and work medal from the Governor General ethic my professors instilled in on February 6, 2013. A teacher at Hesse, Paul (BA Hons 02) joined the me at UWinnipeg, I would not be a Gordon Bell High School, Timmy was firm partnership of Pitblado Law successful member of the television honoured for working with teenage this past January. Paul has been with industry in Toronto, says King.” parents who want to get an education, Pitblado Law for over three years as well as for her volunteer work with practicing immigration and residency breast cancer, juvenile diabetes and Zakhilwal, Dr. Hazrat (Omar) law. Paul is fluently bilingual and holds multiple sclerosis organizations. (BA Hons 94) has been the Finance law degrees in each of Canada’s major “I just love being out there,” she said. Minister of Afghanistan since 2009 legal traditions (English Canada’s “I think every Winnipegger would say and the Chief Economic Advisor common law and Quebec’s civil law the same thing: volunteering in itself is to the President since July 2008. systems) from McGill University. so rewarding.” After graduation from UWinnipeg, Paul was admitted to both the Law Omar attained his MA from Queen’s Society of Manitoba and Upper University and then his PhD from Canada in 2006. Carleton University. 50 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
L’Arrivee, Robert (BA Hons 04) Prosecutor. Reid has published on most interesting areas, offering “a wide of Science Honours (Biology) in has enrolled in the PhD program in such subjects as discrimination in range of tourism experiences, from 2011 from UWinnipeg, earning the the Department of Political to Current Peru, International Refugee Law, ghost-hunting to traditional historical Gold Medal. As a graduate student Science at the University of Notre housing discrimination in Toronto walking tours with humour and flare.” Grayson earned a Natural Sciences Dame. He hopes to graduate in May and the role of Diaspora groups in Kristen, who spent 19 years working and Engineering Research Council 2015. In May 2007, Robert graduated influencing Canada’s foreign policy. in child care prior to opening Muddy of Canada Alexander Graham Bell from the University of Notre Dame She most recently was the National Water Tours, will wear costumes Canada Graduate Scholarship. He with an MA in Early Christian Studies. Program Manager of the Building and take on fictional and historical is already the lead author of two Robert has received numerous awards, Citizenship program at the Institute personas to bring stories to life. publications in the scientific journals scholarships and grants during his for Canadian Citizenship, where she She is also the founder of the Friends Ethology and The International time as a student while also working as fostered a national network of over of the Vaughan Street Jail Inc., and Journal of Evolutionary Biology. a teacher assistant at both UWinnipeg 500 volunteers who host community- won the 2008 Manitoba Tourism and NDU (2001-present). based citizenship ceremonies and Partnership Award. Komadowski, Patricia (BA 13, B.Ed. 13) roundtable discussions on the meaning is in her first year of teaching. She is Lipnowski, David (Collegiate 04) of inclusive citizenship. Reid also has currently living in Dhaka, Bangladesh is a Winnipeg based commercial a Masters of Arts in International /10 and teaching kindergarten in a private photographer available for hire for: Human Rights Law (University for Canadian accredited school, Canadian portraits, corporate & personal events, Peace, Costa Rica). Austman, Matthew (BA Hons 12) Trillinium School. photo booths, headshots, family is the Managing Editor at portraits, and more. Biped Magazine. Lloyd, Conor (BA 4–yr 11) was recently awarded the Queen’s Marr, Stephen (BA 4–yr 07) Diamond Jubilee Medal. Conor was works at Great-West Life as an recognized for his work to educate Assistant Manager, Derivatives. Canada’s youth on the importance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and for Maxwell, Andrea (B. Ed. 01) his work to organize and facilitate is a teacher at Centennial School, overseas battlefield tours. This is Sunrise School Division. She received something he has been doing since Manitoba’s 2013-14 Celebration of Syvixay, Jason (BA 09, B.Sc. 09) 2007 when he attended the 90th Excellence in Teaching awards for is the recipient of the 2014 Manitoba anniversary of Vimy Ridge and again teaching excellence—early years. Communicator of the Year Award Benson-Podolchuk, Sherry (BA 12) in 2012 for the 95th. awarded by The Manitoba Chapter has written 2 books, Women Not McVicar, Gareth (BA Hons 04) of the Canadian Public Relations Wanted and Lake Agassi Murders Sinclair, Delmer (BA 13) is the Manager of the Leaderships Society (CPRS). Jason is the Managing sherrybensonpodolchuk.com is working for the Assembly of Program at the University of Calgary Director of the Downtown Winnipeg Manitoba Chiefs as a Local Research Cowley, Diana in their Leadership and Student BIZ. Jason led the creation of the BIZ’s (BA 12) was one of Assistant representing Fisher River Engagement Office. CEO Sleepout event/campaign and the two recipients of The University Cree Nation. He is also working successful negotiation with Canada of Winnipeg’s $5,000 Truth and as a liaison for CIER (Centre for Nikkel, Donald (B.Ed. 07, BA 07) Post in turning the BIZ’s Canada Day Reconciliation scholarships given Indigenous Environment Resources). is a teacher at Lundar School, Living Flag photo-op into an official out in 2013. The scholarships His duties there require that he survey Lakeshore School Division. stamp. He served as UWSA President recognize the work of the Truth and hunters’ experiences hunting game She received Manitoba’s 2013-14 from 2009-2011. Reconciliation Commission and animals for food and ideas about Celebration of Excellence in honour students who are residential possible sources of food of lead in Teaching awards for teaching Thomas, Jason (BA 06) is a Thompson school survivors or descendants of food. The feedback will then help excellence—senior years. Researcher with the Treaty and residential school survivors. CIER develop a Public Health message Aboriginal Rights Research in video that is useful and culturally Dickson, Rochelle Thompson, MB. (B.Sc. 11) is a appropriate for a First Nations hunter, Research Assistant for Research and to be distributed by Health Canada. Program Development with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation. Tovpa, Iryna (BA 10) is a managing partner of a new Liberty Tax franchise that opened on Feb. 1, 2012 at 194 Osborne Street. Iryna is a certified tax preparer.
Reid, Claire P. (BA Hons 03) Woodward, Kaylee (B.Sc. 4–yr 11) is the new director of UWinnipeg’s is an Athletic Therapist at Healthview Master’s in Development Practice Therapy Center in Winnipeg. (MDP). Reid previously worked Verin-Treusch, Kristen (BA Hons as a human rights consultant for 02, MA 04) is the owner/operator of a Peruvian non-governmental Muddy Water Tours which she has Grayson, Phillip (B.Sc. Hons 11, M.Sc. organization developing regional operated since 2002. She began the 13) was recently accepted to Harvard anti-discrimination programming business after returning from a trip to University and awarded a Harvard and the International Criminal Scotland, where historical tours were Graduate Fellowship (a full grant) Court in The Hague, Netherlands, popular and she noticed Winnipeg to pursue his Doctor of Philosophy where she conducted investigative had nothing of the kind. She conducts (PhD). Grayson earned his Bachelor research for the Office of the walking tours of some of Winnipeg’s 51 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
ALUMNI reunions
40–Year Reunion UWinnipeg Alumni Class of 1973 —Remember to stay in touch! 01. Alumni of The University of Winnipeg Back Row (L–R): Karl Godar, Doug Ross, are encouraged to keep their contact Keith Sinclair, Trevor Axworthy, Bill Blaikie, information current by contacting Dan Furlan. the Alumni Affairs office by phone at Front Row (L–R): Sheila Domke, 204.988.7118 or 1.888.829.7053, or by Ruth (Merrett) McMonagle, Brenda (Bihun) email at [email protected]. Blaikie, Laima (Tolks) Nyysola. 02. Interested in a free library card, discounted membership at the University of Winnipeg Club or a discounted fitness membership at the Duckworth Centre? Contact Alumni Affairs for your free alumni card to take advantage of these offers. 1973 03. Several University events are held in various cities several times per year—let us know 50–year Reunion where you are and we’ll be sure to send you Class of 1963 an invitation when there’s one in your area.
(L–R): George Egerton, Grant McConnell, 04. It’s never too early to plan a reunion for your Rudi Engbrecht, Valerie (Isaac) Reed, student group or class year! Sharron Seewaldt, Norma (Lamont) Crockatt, Ailsa (Lawson) Zenker, Fran (Price) Larkin, 05. Tell your classmates what you’re up to Jackie Garrett, Colleen (Kennedy) Ortwein, by sending us your Class Act for Ken Tkachuk, Jim Easton UWinnipeg Magazine.
06. Visit the Alumni Affairs web page at uwinnipeg.ca/alumni for the latest news and events, and from there, check out our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages to instantly connect with other 1963 UWinnipeg alumni. 60–year Reunion Class of 1953
Back Row (L–R): Saul Rifkin, Al Mackling, Joyce (Hall) Yellowlees, Fraser Muldrew, Dorcas (Runions) Wehner, Marianne (McKay) Cameron, Gloria Zakus, Gwen (Hasselfield) Trip, Reunions at Johannes Sigurdson. Homecoming 2014 Front Row (L–R): Margaret (Wilson)Barbour, Connie (Nimchuk) Sarchuk, Marion (Ross) This year's Homecoming (September Zonneveld, Des McCalmont, Helen (Scurfield) 25th–28th, 2014) will celebrate reunions Norrie, Donnie (Finlay) Dunn. of the Classes of 1954, 1964 and 1974. Missing: Joyce (Rutledge) Dixon and If you are interested in attending or Adeline (Derback) Korengel helping to plan one of these reunions, or any reunion for a class year, faculty, 1953 department, or student group, we'd love to hear from you!
204.988.7122 | [email protected]
52 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
In Memoriam Compiled by Steve Pataki
The University of Winnipeg community offers its condolences to the families of the following alumni and staff who have recently passed away. To forever mark their place in the history of the University, The University of Winnipeg Alumni Association is proud to place a bookplate in a select volume in the University Library in memory of each alumnus.
/30 Jessiman, Duncan James (Collegiate 40, De Jersey, Harold (Collegiate 47, BA 50) Hartley, Grace (BA 69) BA 59, LLD 76) April 19, 2006 October 11, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB April 6, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Bell, (Webb) Florence (Collegiate 38) in Vancouver, BC January 19, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Goodman, The Hon. Justice Gil (BA 56) Keating, Rev. Arvon (BA 62, BTH 65, Kallos, Peter (BA 49, BED 56) October 29, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB M.DIV 01) March 17, 2013 in Carr, (Bingeman) Elizabeth (BA 36) March 3, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB Nanaimo, BC February 20, 2013 in Toronto, ON Gunderson, Derrall (Collegiate 52) Kosasky, Harold (BA 48) February 25, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Kemp, John D. (BA 67) Duff, James (Collegiate 39) July 21, 2011 in Potomac, MD September 22, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB December 1, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Gutnick, Nelson (BA 50) Kushnier, (Stelmach) Anne (Collegiate March 4, 2014 in Calgary, AB Langdon, William (Collegiate 66) Gustafson, David (Collegiate 32) 43) July 1, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB August 14, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB February 28, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Hurst, Leslie (Collegiate 58) Marks, Helene (Collegiate 46) March 4, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Levin, Esther (Collegiate 66) Kronson, (Ludwig) Jessie (BA 33) March 31, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB January 13, 2013 in Toronto, ON August 11, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Jarvis, Rev. F. Edgar (BA 52, T 55, BD 62) Mutch, Robert Bruce (BA 48) November 7, 2011 in Oliver, BC Lucy, Rev. Art (BA 60, T 63, M.DIV 01) Middleton (Smiley), Nancy (BA 38) April 5, 2013 in Toronto, ON July 4, 2012 in Surrey, BC December 6, 2010 in Victoria, BC Kaufman, Coleman (Collegiate 50) Pile, Wallace (Collegiate 40) January 30, 2010 in Winnipeg, MB Owens, Thompson (BA 68) Smith, Ernest (Collegiate 33) March 26, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB March 24, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB March 23, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB McNeill (Halliday), Jean (BA 50) Prang, Dr. Margaret (BA 45, LLD 78) December 18, 2012 in Brampton, ON Peake, (Borland) Judy (BA 62) Stewart, (Cruise) Olive (Collegiate 34) January 12, 2013 in Vancouver, BC April 5, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Feb 5, 2013 in Deloraine, MB Morrow, Terrence (Collegiate 57) Quinton, Paul (Collegiate 43) January 21, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Ternette, Nick (BA 67) /40 August 13, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB March 4, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Overgaard, Dagg (BA 53) Atkin, (Ritchie) Margaret Russell, John Stuart (Collegiate 43, BA November 13, 2013 in N. Vancouver, BC Tomasson, David (BA 68) February 8, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB 46) February 7, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB February 14, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Penwarden (MacDonald), Iris (BA 53) Campbell, A. Lorne (BA 41) White, Dr. Peter Gordon (Collegiate 40, June 5, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Whitten, Oswald (BA 60, BED 63) January 15, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB BA 43, T 46, BD 50, HDD 64, M.DIV 78) January 28, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Purdy, (Croft) Georgia (BA 59) March 12, 2013 in Toronto, ON Conner (Rex), Isobel (BA 48) January 5, 2011 in Winnipeg, MB June 7, 2013 in Morden, MB Wyspinski, Joseph (Collegiate 49) /70 Read, (MacKenzie) Audrey (Collegiate 55) March 15, 2013 in Selkirk, MB Craig, John Robert (BA 48) January 14, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Adlard, Robert (BA 72) June 24, 2012 in Parry Sound, ON June 29, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB /50 Scott, (Kettner) Sylvia (Collegiate 55) Death (Wall), Eileen (Collegiate 41) November 14, 2013 in Palm Desert, CA Bergen, John (BSC 71) March 10, 2013 in Orillia, ON Allenby, John (Collegiate 57) February 21, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB November 18, 2009 in Winnipeg, MB Eager, Robert (Collegiate 40) /60 Bingham, Roy (BSC 73) Alexander, Gerald (Collegiate 47, BA May 1, 2013 in Lockport, MB March 22, 2013 in N. Vancouver, BC Barron, Ian (Collegiate 64, BA 70) 50) October 17, 2013 in Edmonton, AB Edwards, (Dunn) Nora (BA 47) June 9, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Browne, William (BA 77) Anderson, Jeffrey W. L. (BA 50) December 2, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB December 12, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Bulloch, Neilson (Collegiate 61) March 18, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Fewster, Wendal (Collegiate 47) May 12, 2013 in Stouffville, ON Cott, Ann (BA 74) Andrusiak, Nick (Collegiate 58) August 23, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB December 5, 2013 in Steinbach, MB Finnbogason (Munsie), Marsha (BA 64) July 9, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Fishman, Arthur (Collegiate 44, BA 49) August 21, 2012 in Surrey, BC Delamere, Donald (BSC 72) Besko, Ted (Collegiate 54) August 2, 2013 in Abbotsford, BC February 9, 2013 in Nanaimo, BC Friesen, Sylvia (Collegiate 61, BA 65) April 20, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Gompf, Stanley (BA 48) January 24, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Gilleta, Richard Clarence (BA 78) Clark, Douglas (Collegiate 55, BA 72) May 28, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB August 17, 2009 in Brampton, ON Gorber, Ronald (Collegiate 63, BA 69) March 8, 2013 in Saskatoon, SK Grose, David (BA 48) July 17, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Hambleton, Saville (BA 71) April 1, 2013 in Halifax, NS Dick, R. Alan (Collegiate 54) April 20, 2013 in Sidney, BC September 14, 2011 in Winnipeg, MB 53 THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG MAGAZINE SPRING 2014
Holland, Gail (BA 76) /80 /90 /10 January 3, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Alards, Gary (BED 83) Breland, (Telke) Sheri Lee (BA 98) Carrier, Lisa (BED 10) Kennedy, Emile (BA 72) February 17, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB April 2, 2011 in Selkirk, MB February 15, 2013 in Blacks September 23, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Harbour, NB Anderson, (Shelfontuk) Joan (BA 83) Comack, Gary (BA 92) Klim, Sophie (BA 78) Spring 2013 in Winnipeg, MB July 20, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Courchene, Russ (BA 10) April 12, 2014 in Eriksdale, MB March 29, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Baird, Dr. Vaughan (LLD 87 Dame, Thomas (BSC 90) Kuta, Gerald (BSC 73) [honoris causa]) August 17, 2013 September 13, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Edwards, Natalie (BA 13) April 3, 2011 in Winnipeg, MB in Ste. Agathe, MB February 19, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Harris, (Jody) Mary Josephine Kwasniowski, Louie (BSC 73) Chmielowicz, Wanda (BA 83) March 4, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB Hayes, Joel (BA 12, BED 12) November 10, 2013 in Morris,MB January 23, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB September 12, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Labelle-Riske, Michelle (BA 97) Lee-Restall, Gigi (BA 79) Elliot, Rita (BA 82) October 19, 2012 in Steinbach, MB Kinew, Dr. Tobasonakwut (LLD 11) April 1, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB February 27, 2013 in Morris, MB December 23, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB Naismith, Nancy (BA 94) MacLachlan, Patricia (BA 76) Freedman, Leona (BA 89) November 9, 2012 in Calgary, AB February 23, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB March 10, 2011 in Winnipeg, MB Penner, Dr. Harold (M.DIV 99) Faculty & Staff McFadyen, Kirby (BAH 76) Green, Geoffrey (BA 89) March 10, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB June 10, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB May 12, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Anderson, Joan (BA 83) Prefontaine, (Courtney) Diane (BA 97) Spring 2013 in Winnipeg McKinnon, Donald (Collegiate 72) Habermehl, Rev. Dirk (MST 88) March 9, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB January 13, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB March 22, 2013 in Cobourg, ON Derksen, Peter Smirl, Lisa (Collegiate 93) September 21, 2013 Monnin, Alfred OC, OM (LLD 72) Harder, Maise (BED 82) February 21, 2013 in Leeds, UK November 29, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB January 24, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Duff, James (Collegiate 39, FEL 84) VanderStoel, Dr. John (FEL 91) December 1, 2013 Nelson, Ronald (BA 79) Hochheim, Dr. Klaus (BAH 82) April 19, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB July 5, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB September 10, 2013 in Nepean, ON Hansen, Kristine February 13, 2014 in Winnipeg Olafson, Dorothea (BED 76) Peikoff, Hart (BA 85) /00 April 8, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Kenyon, William February 2, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Conci, Leigha (BSCH 04) March 9, 2013 in Winnipeg Pybus, Vera (BAH 77) Pfaiffer, Michael (BA 84) February 12, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB January 8, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Laskowski, Stephan July 19, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Harvard, Sasha (BA 01) February 21, 2013 Richardson, Royden (Collegiate 72) Poole, James (BA 82) March 2, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB May 4, 2013 in Schomberg, ON MacDonald, Raymond March 7, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB McLeod, Catherine Anne (BED 07, April 14, 2014 in Winnipeg Solar, Elsie (BA 74) Roeland, Lana (Collegiate 89) BA 07) September 15, 2013 in February 1, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB April 18, 2014 in Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg, MB Mikulik, Raymond January 28, 2014 in Winnipeg Sprague, John (Collegiate 74) Smith, Allan Dwight (BA 80) Van Wart, Sean (BA 01) September 7, 2012 in Vancouver, BC April 19, 2013 in Selkirk, MB July 2, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB Philipp, Klaus (BSC 65) February 27, 2014 in Winnipeg Surbey, Vincent (BA 74) Wright, Carol (BA 80) December 5, 2012 in Winnipeg, MB September 28, 2013 in Gladstone, MB Riddell, Ronald (Collegiate 42, FEL 88) June 12, 2013 in Kenora, Ontario Walls, Craig (BA 73, BED 81) March 31, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB Swayze, Walter (FEL 88) January 28, 2014
PLANNED GIVING SEEDS SUPPORT PLANNED GIVING SEEDS UWINNIPESGU PSPTOUDRETNTS TODAUYW AINDN IIPNE TGH SET FUUDTEUNRTES! Achievement TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE! Bunny Gutnik DAiscoverincg nehw tecihnoleogiesv for ae greemner future. Pronmotintg so cial consciousness Gift PlaBnunninngy OGfufitcneikr Discovering new technologies for a greener future. Promoting social consciousness for healthier communities. Preserving knowledge and tradition for improved cultural UniversityG oiff tW Pinlannipneign gF oOufnfdicaetiron ufonrd ehresataltnhdieinr gc. oInmspmiruinngit icerse.a Ptivreitsy eforvr icnagp tkivnaotwinlge dagued ieancde str anddit ieonr ifcohri nimg qpuroavlietyd o cf uliflteu. ral U9n0iv1e-rs4i9ty1 o Pf oWrtaingnei pAevgen Fuoeu ndation Turnadnesrfsotramnidnign gp. oInlicspy irfionrg imcrperaotivveitdy fgoorv cearnpmtiveantitn pgr aucdticieen. cTehse a nUdn ievnerriscihtyin ogf qWuainlintyip oefg life. Winni9p0eg1, -M4a9n1it oPboar t aRg3eB A 2vEe4n ue Transforming policy for improved government practice. The University of Winnipeg students behind these achievements will have you to thank for making it all possible. Wipnhnoipneeg: ,7 M89an-1it4o7ba1 R3B 2E4 students behind these achievements will have you to thank for making it all possible. email: b.gpuhtnoikn@e: u7w8i9nn-1ip4e7g1.ca Contact Bunny Gutnik to start a conversation Bunny Gutnik, Gift Planning Officer email: [email protected] aCboonutat cptl aBnunnendy gGivuitnngik a tnod s ftianrdt ao ucto hnvoewrsation 204.789.1471 yaobuo ucta np llaenanved a glaivsintingg a lnedg aficnyd t horuotu hgohw [email protected] youur cwainll olera evset aat ela psltaing. legacy through your will or estate plan. 54 uwinnipeg.ca/foundation
THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG’S INTERNATIONAL RECITAL & CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES Harry Strub, Artistic Director Minguet String Quartett Minguet String
ALUMNI, FACULTY & STAFF: SUBSCRIBE 20% OFF TODAY 2014|15 FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS
Saturday, September 20, 8 pm Saturday, December 6, 8 pm Saturday, April 18, 8 pm JEREMY FINDLAY & ELENA and Sunday, December 7, 3 pm LEE/MERCER/PARK PIANO TRIO BRASLAVSKY, cello/piano KIM PIANO DUO & Beethoven, Bach, Mendelssohn Beethoven, Gemrot, Barnes, WSO CLEARWATER QUARTET Sunday, May 10, 3 pm Chopin Mendelssohn, Beethoven NOBUYUKI TSUJII, piano and more Saturday, October 18, 8 pm Ravel, Chopin MINGUET STRING QUARTETT Saturday, January 24, 8 pm & ANDREAS KLEIN, piano ENSEMBLE CAPRICE Haydn, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Bach “SALSA BAROQUE” Saturday, November 8, 8 pm Saturday, February 7, 8 pm and Sunday, November 9, 3 pm FAURÉ PIANO QUARTETT MAXIM BERNARD, piano Mahler, Fauré, Brahms “THE GREAT WAR, 1914–1918” Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall Saturday, March 21, 8 pm Rachmaninoff, Fauré, Bartok, OCTAGON, led by Medtner, Scriabin, Nielsen, Ravel 204.786.9000 • virtuosi.mb.ca MARTIN BEAVER, violin Schubert, Beethoven
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