Dr. Johann de Vries served as dean of what is now the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry from 1998 to 2006. Calling UM “a great institution of higher learning,” he accepted the honour via videoconference from his home country of South Africa, where he is now retired.

In an interview, de Vries recalled that he and his family were welcomed to Manitoba with open arms 24 years ago. They have fond memories of Winnipeg and made lifelong friends here.  

“If it wasn’t for the pandemic challenges, we would surely have traveled to Winnipeg to receive the award in person,” he said.

De Vries brought transformation and vision to the dental college, said Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, provost and vice-president (academic) of UM, in her introduction of the honoree.

As dean, de Vries introduced the college’s first strategic plan, which optimized the environment for learning. He implemented a new organizational structure and oversaw the opening of a state-of-the-art simulation clinic, the first of its kind in Canada.

He was involved in establishing the college’s Centre for Community Oral Health, which provides oral health care to underserved populations. He also initiated the International Dentist Degree Program, which trains internationally educated dentists for licensure in Canada.

“We wanted to recognize his accomplishments and contributions,” said Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, current dean of dentistry, about honouring the former dean. “Dr. de Vries had a vision for our college that he was able to communicate well and implement.”

De Vries recalled being impressed by the devotion of the college’s faculty and staff. “They were dedicated to always do what was best for our students, and to make them outstanding graduates.

“With the help and support of our dedicated team, we managed to start several projects to benefit the communities we served. I am proud that most, if not all, of these projects are still functioning and sustainable.”

In 2006, de Vries received the President’s Award of Merit for outstanding service to the profession from the Manitoba Dental Association.

Nationally, he was the first academic member to sit on the Canadian Dental Association governing board and received the Distinguished Service Award from that organization. He served as vice-chair of the dental advisory committee to the federal government.

In a career spanning more than four decades, his many international roles included serving as president of the International Federation of Dental Education Associations. In 2012, he received the American Dental Education Association’s prestigious Gies Award for Outstanding Vision in Dental Education.

De Vries expressed gratitude for the support he received from the UM dental college and university administration.

“They supported me to be able to become a leader in the profession, in Canada and globally,” he said.

At the March 7 Honouring Emeriti event (view the ceremony here), these members of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the College of Nursing were also recognized:

Dr. Allan Becker, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Kent HayGlass, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Robert Lotocki, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Michael Moffatt, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Michael Mowat, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Noralou Roos, Professor Emerita

Dr. Jo-Ann Sawatzky, Professor Emerita

Dr. Richard Warrington, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Michael West, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Teresa Zelinski, Professor Emerita

The event showcased an array of outstanding professors, librarians and administrators whose scholarly and professional work was honored. 

Chancellor Anne Mahon and President Dr. Michael Benarroch were on hand to celebrate the honourees at the virtual ceremony. Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy and Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs) Dr. Tracey Peter presented the Emeritus titles.

Eminent former University President Dr. David Barnard was appointed President Emeritus in recognition of his exceptional leadership and legacy to the university from 2008-2020.

Dr. David Barnard

University President, 2008 -2020

Since beginning his first term in 2008, Dr. David Barnard has served with great distinction as University President over his twelve years in office.

Under his leadership, and in collaboration with members of the UM community, UM experienced considerable growth, increasing both Indigenous and international student populations, achieving continual record enrolment, reaching new heights in research accomplishments, and achieving unprecedented success in philanthropy through the Front and Centre campaign.

In 2011, Dr. Barnard made a formal Statement of Apology and Reconciliation to Residential School Survivors in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the first leader of a post-secondary institution to do so, and he has provided steadfast leadership in listening to and building relationships with Indigenous students, faculty, and communities throughout his time as president.

The University of Manitoba is honoured to confer upon Dr. David Barnard the title of President Emeritus.

Complete List of Emeritus Appointments:

Tuesday, March 1
Dr. David Barnard, President Emeritus (2020) 
Ms. Carolynne Presser, Director Emerita, Libraries (2020) 
Ms. Karen Adams, University Librarian Emerita, Libraries (2021) 
Ms. Donna Breyfogle, Librarian Emerita, Libraries (2020) 
Dr. Shelley Sweeney, Librarian Emerita, Libraries (2021) 
Dr. David Mandzuk, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Education (2021) 
Dr. Diana Brydon, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2020) 
Dr. Elizabeth Comack, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Faculty of Arts (2020) 
Dr. Ellen Judd, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Faculty of Arts (2021) 
Dr. Jan Oleszkiewicz, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Price Faculty of Engineering (2021) 
Dr. David Arnason, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2020) 
Dr. Orest Cap, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education (2019) 
Dr. Judith Chipperfield, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2021)
Dr. Dennis Cooley, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2019) 
Dr. Yatta Kanu, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Education (2020) 
Mr. David McMillan, Professor Emeritus, School of Art (2021) 
Dr. Kurt Markstrom, Professor Emeritus, Desautels Faculty of Music (2021) 
Dr. Ralph Mason, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education (2020) 
Dr. Thomas Nesmith, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2021) 
Professor Philip Osborne, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law (2021) 
Dr. Russell Smandych, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2021)

Monday, March 7
Dr. Johann de Vries, Dean Emeritus, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Karin Wittenberg, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Brian Amiro, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Allan Becker, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2019) 
Dr. Stefan Cenkowski, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Michael Doob, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science (2021) 
Dr. Don Flaten, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Joannie Halas, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Kinesiology & Recreation Management (2021) 
Dr. James Hare, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science (2020) 
Dr. Kent HayGlass, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Robert Lotocki, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020)
Dr. Michael Moffatt, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Michael Mowat, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Elizabeth Ready, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management (2020) 
Dr. Noralou Roos, Professor Emerita, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Jo-Anne Sawatzky, Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Kumar Sharma, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science (2020) 
Dr. Bogdan Slominski, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Richard Warrington, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Michael West, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Teresa Zelinski, Professor Emerita, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021)

The event attracted nearly 100 alumni, faculty, graduate students, trainees and researchers.

Events took place Sept 26-27, 2019 at Bannatyne Campus and included an opening reception, poster session, dinner at Ft. Gibraltar and a guided lab tour. Distinguished University of Manitoba immunology alumni from academia, clinical, industry, government and not-for-profit sectors presented a series of lectures reflecting their expertise and the broad reach of the department’s graduates.

Dr. Aaron Marshall, head of immunology, welcomes attendees to the department’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Aaron Marshall, head of immunology, noted how the field of immunology has evolved since the department’s founding in 1969.

“Immunology has really grown at an incredible pace over the past 50 years. It’s moved from being a minor offshoot of infectious disease research to being, in my mind, a central pillar of the biomedical sciences, and a leader in innovations in treatment of chronic diseases and cancer,” said Marshall.

“The department has received international recognition for major research involving fundamental biology of the immune system, translational immunology and collaboration with industry. After half a century, the impact of the Max Rady College of Medicine’s immunology department is felt world-wide,” said Dr. David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor, University of Manitoba.

Dr. Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international), University of Manitoba, added, “The reach of the Department of Immunology has been felt across Canada, in the US, the UK and beyond. Since 1995, $40 million in research has been garnered by immunology faculty. This is very impressive for a small department.”

The department of immunology was founded in 1969 by a group of 35 visionary scientists and trainees from McGill University who seized the initiative to spearhead something new in Winnipeg.

Today the department is known and respected internationally as a unique centre for immunology research and teaching.

The attendees toured the department of immunology’s state-of-the-art laboratories in the Apotex Centre.

A major strength of the program is the excellent research environment, reflected in the strong research faculty, award-winning students, and high levels of external research funding and availability of leading-edge facilities.

Over the past 50 years, the department has produced 247 graduates. Department of Immunology faculty members include six Canada Research Chairs (two current), three endowed clinical chairs, three Manitoba Health Research Council chairs and one industry-partnered chair.

Strong scientific links exist with the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Manitoba Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology, National Microbiology Laboratory and Health Sciences Centre, all located on or nearby the Bannatyne campus.

Dr. Kent HayGlass, professor and former department head, gave the audience a look back at the department through the years, sharing many anecdotes and old photos to the delight of the crowd. He talked about what the department could learn from its own success, when so many immunology departments at other institutions have disappeared or changed their focus.

“You need to be willing to take a chance, do different things, and be hungry for success,” he said, “You have to decide that you’re just going to give it a go, sometimes it doesn’t work as well and other times it leads you to places you wouldn’t have expected, which are far better than your goal.”

Immunology graduate student Ashley Ste-Croix, paid tribute to the gathered alumni and, like HayGlass, pointed toward a promising future for the department.

Ashley Ste-Croix

“Every day we are mentored by incredible individuals, much like all of you here today,” she said, “You teach us about the discoveries of the past and push us to somehow use that knowledge to dig even further so that we can push the boundaries of immunological studies and innovations.”

University of Manitoba alumnus Youhai Chen, MD, [PhD/93], professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, delivered the keynote lecture titled “New Immune checkpoints for cancer and inflammation: From c-Rel to TNFAIP8 family.” Chen was a student of the department founder, Dr. Alec Sehon, and is a recipient of the Colyton Prize for Autoimmune Research.