This year’s celebration honoured 10 exemplary individuals, including a Chancellor Emeritus and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

Congratulations to all the 2025 honourees.

Chancellor Emeritus

Chancellor Dave Angus and President Michael Benarroch present Anne Mahon with certificate for Chancellor Emeritus.

Ms. Anne Mahon served with distinction as the University’s 14th Chancellor from 2019 to 2025, where she brought compassion, wisdom, and a deep commitment to community to her role. A bridge-builder and philanthropist, Ms. Mahon is known for connecting people and inspiring positive change. Her work at the intersection of storytelling, community-building, and education has amplified the voices of those marginalized and often unheard.

Ms. Mahon has dedicated herself to volunteerism and advocacy, including working closely with United Way Winnipeg, founding and facilitating the Bookmates Book Club at the Women’s Correctional Centre, and volunteering with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, Humankind International, and Palliative Manitoba. Her leadership and compassion have left an enduring mark on the University of Manitoba, thereby earning the title of Chancellor Emeritus.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Chancellor Dave Angus and President Michael Benarroch present Leslie Roos with certificate for Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

The University of Manitoba was honoured to confer upon Dr. Leslie Roos the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. An influential scholar and innovative leader in population health and health policy research, Dr. Roos joined the University of Manitoba in 1973. Over the course of his distinguished career in the Faculties of Administrative Studies (now the Asper School of Business) and Medicine, he helped establish the university as an international centre of excellence in health services research and data-informed policy.

As a founder of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Dr. Roos led the creation of its internationally respected population health database, enabling groundbreaking studies on the health and well-being of Manitobans. He has played a central role in training and inspiring a generation of researchers whose work continues to shape Canadian health systems and stands among the most influential contributors to health policy research globally.

Professor Emeriti:

• Dr. Harold Aukema
• Dr. Ying Chen
• Dr. Kevin Coombs
• Prof. Herbert Enns
• Dr. Elissavet Kardami
• Dr. Eberhard Renner
• Dr. Wayne Simpson
• Dr. Qiang Zhang

To learn more about the 2025 honourees, please visit the Emeritus/Emerita Titles webpage to read their individual citations.

Emeriti titles are one of several awards given annually by the university in celebrating and recognizing the success of colleagues and other distinguished individuals. Learn about the university awards nomination process.

These long-serving members of the university bring a wealth of experience and expertise, continuing to contribute to academic life even after stepping back from full-time, tenured positions.

To enhance this engagement, the ESSENCE project – Emeriti and Senior Scholars Engaged in Navigating Continued Excellence – has been launched. Led by the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs) and funded by the 2025–2026 Strategic Initiatives Support Fund, the ESSENCE project offers new ways to connect, collaborate and celebrate the ongoing contributions of Emeriti and Senior Scholars. It also supports UM’s commitment to age inclusivity and strengthens our designation as an Age-Friendly University.

“The ESSENCE Project seeks to celebrate and strengthen the engagement of our Emeriti and Senior Scholars, individuals whose wisdom and contributions continue to shape the University of Manitoba,” says Tracey Peter, Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs). “Through connection, mentorship and collaboration, we aim to honour their legacy while creating new opportunities for shared growth and discovery.”

Emeriti and senior scholars, along with invited guests, listen to presentations at the ESSENCE project launch event on September 29, 2025.

Several initiatives were introduced at a kick-off networking event held on September 29, designed to support the continuation of academic work, foster knowledge transfer to the next generation of academics, and strengthen a sense of community.

New programs and benefits

Intergenerational Research Planning Grant

This funding opportunity, offering up to $5,000, supports collaboration between emeriti/senior scholars and early career researchers (within five years of beginning their careers). The goal is to foster mentorship, knowledge exchange, and joint planning for future research. (The current application period has now closed.)

Complimentary resources

Emeriti and Senior Scholars can apply for an M365 A3 license and enjoy complimentary parking when visiting campus for academic purposes.

Emeriti and Senior Scholars Newsletter

The inaugural issue of this new publication was distributed in August 2025, with the goal to keep community members informed about news and events and offer a place for reflection, reconnection and recognition. Members are invited to join the editorial team or contribute content ideas.

Peter Zadraka and Robert Shiu, professors emeriti, reconnect at the ESSENCE project launch event.

Events

Regularly programming is being offered for Emeriti and Senior Scholars at the UMGSA Lounge in UMSU University Centre. Visit the UM events calendar (category Academics: Emeriti and Senior Scholars) for information on upcoming events.

MomentUM Mentorship Program – coming soon!

Stay tuned for details on this new program designed to connect Emeriti and Senior Scholars with early career faculty for career planning, institutional navigation and community building. Mentorship will be offered flexible formats, either one-on-one or in small groups. Those interested in signing up as a mentor can complete the MomentUM Mentorship Interest Form.

Get involved

To learn more about all of these initiatives, please visit the Emeriti and Senior Scholars webpage.

Have questions? Please contact Francene Perehinec, ESSENCE project coordinator at Francene.Perehinec@umanitoba.ca.