“It felt rewarding to know that I did my own initiatives and leadership efforts justice,” says Thomas, a second-year student in the faculty of architecture, after learning that she was chosen as one of this year’s scholarship recipients. 

“Beyond just rewarding, it was motivating, as once you feel recognized, you want to keep working hard for your community and the people that you lead every day. Because I received it at the beginning of the year, it inspired me to keep going and to become a leader within the faculty of architecture, which I was starting that fall.”

Fellow scholarship recipient Devin Ann Habon can relate. She is currently completing her first year in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at UM last year.  

“I felt honoured to receive the scholarship. It was nice to be recognized for my leadership positions at UM,” says Habon. “Receiving this scholarship was a nice welcome gift into medicine.”

There are three distinct Alumni Association Scholarships available for students at every stage of their education and applications are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 academic year:

Entrance Scholarship – for students entering the university who have submitted the best essays on becoming future alumni. One or more scholarships, with a minimum value of $1,000 each.

Community Leadership Scholarship – for undergraduate students who have demonstrated extraordinary extracurricular involvement at UM. One or more scholarships, with a minimum value of $1,000 each.

Graduate Fellowship– for graduate students who are entering the first year of a research-based PhD program and have demonstrated intellectual ability and academic accomplishments. This scholarship can be renewed for up to three years. All inquiries should be directed to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards.

“To future recipients, remember that leadership isn’t something that is big or small,” encourages Thomas. “It is the positive impacts and the people that you will inspire on your journey as a leader.”

“I am forever grateful that the Alumni Association chose me as one of their scholarship recipients,” continues Habon. “I highly encourage anyone with leadership experience at UM to apply!”

The deadline to apply for the Alumni Association’s Entrance Scholarship, Community Leadership Scholarship and Graduate Fellowship is August 1, 2024. For more information, visit the Alumni Association webpage.

After the roaring success of last season’s home games sponsorship, the University of Manitoba Alumni Association is thrilled to announce they will be continuing their support of the UM Bisons through the 2023/24 season. UM alumni are invited to come together to cheer on Bisons student-athletes again this year.  

Beginning with the September 1st Bisons Football home opener, alumni can claim up to four FREE tickets to any Bisons regular season home game using promo code UMALUMNI23.  

This includes the following UM Bisons Sports teams:    

-women’s soccer  

-football 

-men’s and women’s basketball  

-men’s and women’s volleyball  

-men’s and women’s hockey 

The promo code can be used for any home game, including the eagerly anticipated Homecoming Football game on September 23. Alumni and their families can come to as many games as they would like, thanks to the support of the UM Alumni Association.  

For upcoming game dates and to order tickets for all games using the promo code UMALUMNI23, visit GoBisons.ca and click on the “purchase tickets” link. Alumni will need to create an account on these platforms to obtain tickets, which is quick and easy. Need help with the ticket platform? Watch this video. For additional assistance with getting tickets, please contact Alumni Relations at alumni@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-9946.  

To enjoy more incredible perks like this, make sure UM Alumni Relations has your current contact information. 

The vision of the UM Alumni Association is to inspire a proud, engaged and mobilized alumni community who are dedicated to being UM’s greatest ambassadors and advocates and who feel a strong sense of belonging and connection to the university as a source of lifelong enrichment.  

“University of Manitoba faculty members have devoted countless hours to our education, showing interest in our success and achievements,” he says. “My goal as a future alum and professional is to honour their time and pay it back.”

Bukich was awarded one of 11 Alumni Association Community Leadership scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year. Each year, UM’s Alumni Association offers two scholarships and a fellowship to support UM students as they pursue their education goals. Applications for all of the following are now open for the 2021-22 academic year:

• Community Leadership Scholarship – for undergraduate students who have demonstrated extracurricular involvement at the university. One or more scholarships, with a minimum value of $1,000 each.
• Entrance Scholarship – for students entering the university who have submitted the best essays on the topic of becoming future alumni. One or more scholarships, with a minimum value of $1,000 each.
• Graduate Fellowship – for graduate students who are entering the first year of a research-based PhD program and have demonstrated intellectual ability and academic accomplishments. Administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the scholarship can be renewable for up to three years.

Bukich achieved his undergraduate degree in kinesiology this May and plans to start a master’s of science in Indigenous health in kinesiology this fall. His goal is to become a physician and researcher, looking at how Indigenous knowledges can be applied to patient care, and how Indigenous health disparities can be reduced in Canada.

“I like going beyond the academic structure and thinking creatively about how to evoke change in the greater community and health of Indigenous youth,” Bukich says. “UM has provided me with countless opportunities to succeed and empowered me to be imaginative in improving the health of our communities.”

On campus, Bukich has been involved with the PERKS Council (Physical Education Recreational Kinesiology Student Council), the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management’s Indigenous Engagement Circle and has served as a mentor for the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program, supporting first-year Indigenous students. Off campus, Bukich is the head coach for the North American Indigenous Games U14 Basketball Team, and despite the pandemic, continues to coach athletes virtually over Zoom.

“I recognize that for many of these athletes, I am one of their only outlets to coaching and programming,” he says. “Through my studies and work with Indigenous Health in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, I have come to understand the importance of providing opportunities and sport programming for Indigenous youth to combat intergenerational trauma and negative health outcomes.”

When Bukich found out he was awarded the Community Leadership Scholarship, he was honoured.

“It made me feel as though my work is appreciated and that my vision of what leadership entails is reflective of what the university values in its students,” he says. “Applying for a scholarship is a great opportunity for students to reflect on their contributions and consider the meaningfulness of their involvement.”

The application deadline for the Alumni Association’s Community Leader Scholarship, Entrance Scholarship and Graduate Fellowship is Monday, August 16^th at 4:30pm. For more information, visit the Alumni Association webpage.  Applications for the Entrance and Community Leadership scholarships can be sent to AlumniAssociationScholarships@umanitoba.ca. All Graduate Fellowship applications are to be submitted though your home department.

Glikman is the recent recipient of the Alumni Association’s Entrance Scholarship, awarded to full-time students beginning their first year of studies.

Before graduating from Gray Academy, where he was Student Council President and junior basketball coach, Glikman wrote for a sports blog while he considered a career in journalism. Then a chance encounter with economics changed his mind.

“I took a statistics class in grade 12 with my all-time favourite teacher and that pointed me in the direction of business,” Glikman explains. “Going to Asper was kind of like a no-brainer, really. It just seemed like the best option.”

Since arriving at UM, Glikman has thrived in the close-knit Asper community.

“There are a lot of classes that are discussion-based, and I feel like the professors really want you to do well. They encourage you to discuss and make connections in the classroom. There’s kind of a sense of community, and I never find myself asking ‘is there someone I can ask?’ It’s instead, ‘who should I ask?’”

He has also continued to find support from the alumni community by reaching out to past Asper grads for advice on classes, coursework and getting involved with student groups.

Financially, the Alumni Association scholarship has impacted him in more ways than initially expected. When he applied, the world wasn’t in lockdown and facing an economic crisis that has hit the student workforce particularly hard.

“I don’t stress as much about paying my tuition or seeing the price of a $200 textbook that I have to buy, especially in times like these where the future is just so unknown. Looking more into the future there’s an added sense of relief.”

Now starting his second-year, Glikman is looking forward to taking some specialization courses that will help him choose his major.

He has considered becoming an accountant, like his father, but a career in sports management also intrigues him as a way to follow his passion for basketball. “I just want to be doing something that I’m happy with.”

His advice for other students on applying for the Alumni Association scholarship is to take the chance. “You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take. I know that’s pretty stereotypical sports encouragement but you’ve got to put yourself out there to see what’s there.”

Applications for Alumni Association scholarships are now open. The deadline to apply is Nov. 13, 2020. For more information, visit: https://news.umanitoba.ca/alumni/alumni-association/scholarships/

That was five years ago. Today, Nwabuisi describes herself as “unafraid of -40 degrees, and unafraid to lead and encourage others to thrive in a diverse and multicultural community, something that may have intimidated me in the past.” Much of that confidence stems from her extensive university volunteer work.

Nwabuisi is the most recent recipient of the Alumni Association’s Community Leadership Scholarship, awarded to students who demonstrate extracurricular involvement at UM.

She received the scholarship, which provided “much needed financial support”, during the final year of her undergraduate degree where she majored in Asian studies and minored in management.

“The community at the University of Manitoba has contributed in many ways to my growth and confidence as a leader in an increasingly complex and diverse society,” says Nwabuisi. “The opportunities I have encountered and the people I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from, here on campus, have hugely impacted my understanding of myself, people and the broader world.”

In 2019, Nwabuisi was elected as UMSU’s International Student Representative, providing a voice to a student community facing unique challenges. When the Manitoba government cut provincial health-care coverage for international students, she organized protests at the Legislative building and addressed students’ concerns to the media. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she created awareness around the challenges faced by international students including finding housing, health care support, and extending student visas.

Her close ties to the international student community also inspired her to volunteer at UM’s International Centre, and co-found UM’s International Students’ Organization as a way to create a fun, empowering environment for those studying away from home.

Nwabuisi also found time to sit on UMSU’s Board of Directors, join UM’s Interfaith Working Group and help organize events for St. Paul’s College as the international student representative.

She says participating in university life outside of her classes “has brought out the best in me as a leader, student and friend” and she encourages other students to consider enriching their UM experience. 

“Community leadership is such a wholesome and refreshing experience. It gives everyone involved the opportunity to understand how their community works, serve its members and possibly make a lasting impact. Through community leadership, I made meaningful connections and friendships with amazing individuals.”

These connections will serve her well as an alumna, too. Recently graduated, Nwabuisi hopes to use her skills to make a difference in the world and those around her. “In my future career as a leader in whatever capacity, I hope to help others thrive, and encourage critical, innovative and non-conforming thinking even as I blaze my trail as a multi-cultural black woman.”

Fall 2020, however, will look quite different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Though we cannot celebrate Homecoming in person this year, the alumni community is finding new ways to come together,” says Tracy Bowman, director, alumni relations.

During these challenging times, UM graduates continue to make an impact far beyond Manitoba’s borders, the alumni community now more than 148,000 strong and living in 140 countries. “This fall, we encourage alumni to reconnect with friends and classmates from around the world, reminisce about favourite UM memories and discover exciting new virtual programming,” says Bowman, who graduated from the Faculty of Arts in 1996.

There are many opportunities for alumni to connect with UM and each other:

• Watch for the exciting announcement of the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients in the digital fall issue of UM Today: The Magazine in the coming weeks.
• Connect with alumni from around the world at the Alumni Association AGM on Sept. 30.
• Explore new topics at an upcoming virtual Learning for Life program.
• Hear from human ‘books’ during the Indigenous Alumni Living Library on Oct. 2 and read along with the UM Alumni Book Club.
• Share a (virtual) cup of coffee and exchange knowledge and advice through the online networking and mentoring platform UM Café: Ten Thousand Coffees.

UM will celebrate milestone reunions in the future when it is safe to do so, and will take this time to reflect on the evolution of Homecoming going forward.

Visit UM Alumni for more information on all of our upcoming programs and virtual events, and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest alumni news.

The over 500 graduates of Extended Education’s programs were honoured at a formal graduation ceremony. This was the first formal cap & gown graduation for the division, and the first graduation to include all of the current programs.

Graduates, accompanied by their friends and family, celebrated earning their credentials.

“It was a long journey, working full-time and going to school,” said Bonnie Murray, Certificate in Applied Counselling graduate. “I’m excited to be done. It was a lot of hard work and I’m looking forward to being able to use these skills and experiences I’ve gained in the future.”

Rana Noon, Human Resource Management Grad, is congratulated by Paul Jenkins, Manager, Delivery

Feeling great
“I’m feeling great,” said Rana Muhammad Ahmad Noon, Certificate in Human Resource Management graduate, in anticipation of the ceremony. “My daughter graduated from the U of M with an honours degree in economics last year. Now she will see me graduate.”

With a background in human resources in Pakistan, Noon came to Winnipeg in 2015, and decided he needed some local training. He chose U of M. “It’s one of the oldest universities. It is a good facility. It was my best choice. The program was very professional. The instructors were knowledgeable and had practical experience. I am getting a Canadian certificate. Now I plan to resume an HR profession.”

Gary Hepburn, Dean, Extended Education opened the celebration. Greetings were provided by Todd Mondor, Vice Provost (Graduate Education) & Dean on behalf of the President’s Office, Wanbdi Wakita, Access Program Grandfather-in-Residence, and Jeff Lieberman from the U of M’s Alumni Association.

Paul Jenkins, Manager, Delivery, presented the Ronald Kristjanson Memorial Scholarship 2019, awarded to two students enrolled in a certificate program. This year’s recipients were Belinda Duncan and Bonnie Murray.

19 programs represented
This year’s graduates represented 19 Extended Education programs including classroom, online and intensive options.

Extended Education at the U of M is a leading provider of programs and courses designed for working professionals to keep learning and move forward in their career. Registered numbers of students are up over 70 per cent over the past three years, with over 11,500 students in 2019 and growing.

Over 156 courses this year including online options
With Extended Education, students build on their degrees, diplomas, and experience and earn a university credential. Over 156 courses were offered in 2019. A growing number of online programs serve students from across Canada.

Extended Education Graduation

Board members act as champions and advocates for the U of M. Members are frequently called upon to participate in programming and university activities through their active participation and advocacy. These activities include the annual Homecoming celebrations, Distinguished Alumni Awards, student mentorship and lifelong learning opportunities.

The Board of Directors is seeking new members of the U of M’s alumni community to join the board. Alumni who are actively involved in their networks and can influence their peer network to support the university’s strategic priorities are highly encouraged to step forward. Adequate representation of our diverse pool of graduates is a primary focus which includes diversity amongst members in terms of faculty representation, gender and age.

To apply and for more information on terms, meetings and general expectations visit the Alumni Association page.

U of M President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. David T. Barnard brought greetings on behalf of the University and highlighted many of the key accomplishments of the past year.

Of particular note was the launch of the $500 million Front and Centre campaign during Homecoming Week 2015. “It was one of the most exciting moments of my time as president,” reflected Barnard.

In 2015, the U of M also launched a reimagined UM Today The Magazine. The first edition arrived in alumni’s hands in Fall 2015 and the second issue hit mailboxes in Spring 2016. “We’ve had some really great feedback,” said Barnard. “It certainly seems to have connected with many alumni.”

Barnard noted the important relationship between alumni and the U of M. The achievements of the last year were made possible by the continued support of the alumni community.

“I hope that each of you feels the same sense of pride that I do,” said Barnard as he addressed the alumni in attendance. “You are an invaluable part of our university community and your success is our success.”

The 2016 U of M Alumni Association AGM

Jeff Lieberman, past president of the Alumni Association, delivered the annual report on behalf of Association president Kim Metcalfe. During the past year, the Association developed new initiatives and continued to support many of the existing programs to further three key priorities: student engagement, lifelong learning and alumni achievement.

The student engagement committee moved forward with the newly defined Alumni Association Scholarships for incoming and current students. These new awards will be finalized in the coming year. The board has partnered with student organizations to continue enhancing the connection between alumni and students.

The Seniors’ Alumni Learning for Life Program was launched this year, providing exclusive opportunities for alumni and friends to explore new ideas and to hear from professors, researchers and fellow alumni who are innovators in their respective fields. The pilot program launched during Homecoming Week 2015. After selling out quickly, another session was added in spring 2016. The program will continue in fall 2016.

“It has been a truly rewarding experience to be a part of all the activity constantly happening at the U of M,” remarked Lieberman.

Visionary Conversations was expanded to include both Visionary Conversations in the Community and Visionary Conversations on Campus. David Barnard hosted the events in the community, which took place at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The on-campus events were hosted by faculty members who moderated the discussions, while expert panelists were invited to add their ideas and thoughts to the conversation.

The annual Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) is a key awards program that celebrates alumni achievement. This year’s Celebration of Excellence event highlighted the accomplishments of six outstanding recipients: Edward Lyons, Emmie Leung, Karen Beaudin, The Hong Kong Alumni Association, Diana Nicholson and Gary Wong.

“Our alumni make outstanding and significant contributions not only here at home, but in the global community as well, and this event truly showcased that fact,” said Lieberman. “I was amazed and humbled by the work of the alumni who were chosen as the DAA recipients this year.”

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the slate of members and officers that will serve the Association for 2016-2017. Kim Metcalfe will continue in her position as president of the Alumni Association.

2016-17 Alumni Association Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Kim Metcalfe, President
Jeff Lieberman, Past President
Ken Kustra, Treasurer & Vice-President* (Student Engagement)
Dawn Nedohin-Macek, Vice-President (Alumni Achievement)
Jerome Knysh, Vice-President (Lifelong Learning)
Nancy Militano, Member at Large
Director, Alumni Relations, Secretary, Ex-Officio

*When a board member holds two executive positions, an additional member at large will be added to the executive committee.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: (Includes Executive members)

Rene Chu, DMD/08
Jerome Knysh, BSc(IE)/84, ExtEd/87, MBA/90
Ken Kustra, BSc/99, BComm(Hons)/02, CA/05
Jeffrey Lieberman, BA /80, BComm(Hons)/83
Kim Metcalfe, BComm (Hons)/97, CA/00
Nancy Militano, BA/85, BRS/02
Kristjan Mann, BA/11, BA(Adv)/13
Dawn Nedohin-Macek, BSc (CompE)/02
Michael Puchniak, BA(Adv)/03, LLB/08
Michael Silicz, BA(Hons)/05, MA/07, LLB/09, MPAdm/13
Monika Wetzel, BHECOL/12, MSC/15
Blair Worb, BA/85, BSW/87

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES:

John Kearsey, Vice-President (External), Representing the University President
Gary Hepburn, Representing the Provost’s Council
Tanjit Nagra, President, University of Manitoba Students’ Union
Enoch A-iyeh, MSC/13 President, University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association

ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

Shona Connelly, BA/81, MA/90
Jeffrey Lieberman, BA /80, BComm(Hons)/83
Rennie Zegalski, BComm (Hons)/95

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Executive: Kim Metcalfe
Finance: Ken Kustra
Nominating: Jeff Lieberman

Outgoing Alumni Association President Jeff Lieberman looked back on his term before passing the gavel to incoming president Kim Metcalfe.

“The Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration of Excellence was a highlight of my term as President and I was honoured to be able to participate in recognizing the accomplishments of our five award recipients; Marion Meadmore, Nick Logan, Wayne Davies, Juliette (Archie) Cooper and Tito Daodu,” said Leiberman.

Lieberman said he was fortunate to see the exciting ways in which the Alumni Association connects with U of M graduates in terms of the three Alumni Association pillars: student engagement, lifelong learning and alumni achievement.

“It has been a truly rewarding experience to be a part of all of the activity constantly happening at the U of M.”

2015/16 Alumni Association President Kim Metcalfe making her acceptance speech // Photo by Adam Dolman

Perhaps the biggest achievement for the Alumni Association last year was the launch of the $1 million matching campaign. The philanthropic initiative had a goal of raising $2 million to support the Active Living Centre and the university’s graduate students. Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,700 alumni the goal was met in a spectacular fashion. In total, $2,177,714.02 was raised.

This year, the Alumni Association, in consultation with Financial Aid and Awards and Alumni Relations, also created three scholarships for incoming and current students. An entrance scholarship and two undergraduate awards – one with special consideration for Indigenous students – will provide $1,000 each to winning recipients.

Former treasurer and longstanding member of the Association board, Kim Metcalfe, was voted in as the new Association president. “I am looking forward to working with my fellow board members and am pleased to represent over 132,000 fellow alumni who share many of the experiences that I had while a student at the University of Manitoba, and continue to build on the success we have had over the last year under Jeff’s leadership.“

2015-16 Alumni Association Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Kim Metcalfe, President
Jeff Lieberman, Past President
Ken Kustra, Treasurer & Vice-President* (Student Engagement)
Dawn Nedohin-Macek, Vice-President (Alumni Achievement)
Jerome Knysh, Vice-President (Lifelong Learning)
Heather Reichert, Member at Large
Barbara Axworthy, Secretary, Ex-Officio

*When a board member holds 2 executive positions, an additional member at large will be added to the executive committee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: (includes Executive members)

Rene Chu, DMD/08
Jerome Knysh, BSc(IE)/84, ExtEd/87, MBA/90
Ken Kustra, BSc/99, BComm(Hons)/02, CA/05
Laura Rempel, BEnvD/06, MCP/14
Jeffrey Lieberman, BA /80, BComm(Hons)/83
Kim Metcalfe, BComm (Hons)/97, CA/00
Nancy Militano, BA/85, BRS/02
Dawn Nedohin-Macek, BSc (CompE)/02
Michael Puchniak, BA(Adv)/03, LLB/08
Heather Reichert, BComm (Hons)/83, CA/86
Michael Silicz, BA(Hons)/05, MA/07, LLB/09, MPAdm/13
Blair Worb, BA/85, BSW/87

UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES:

John Kearsey, Vice-President (External), Representing the University President
Tony Iacopino, Representing the Provost’s Council
Jeremiah Kopp, President, University of Manitoba Students’ Union
Kristjan Mann, BA/11, BA(Adv)/13 President, Manitoba Graduate’s Student Association

ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

Shona Connelly, BA/81, MA/90
Heather Reichert, BComm(Hons)/83, CA/86
Rennie Zegalski, BComm (Hons)/95

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Executive: Kim Metcalfe
Finance: Ken Kustra
Nominating: Jeff Lieberman