Congratulations to the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021!

The entire University of Manitoba community is delighted to celebrate you and your UM graduation in person – and the time for that long-awaited celebration is now here!

UM’s 2020 and 2021 Convocation Celebration on March 11, 2023 at the RBC Convention Centre will include formal convocation regalia (cap and gown), crossing the stage, hearing your name called, special speakers, a post-ceremony reception and more.

Watch our social media channels for live coverage on March 11.

Ahead of the celebration, you can catch up with some of our 2020 and 2021 grads at the links below:

• Sandy Deng [BSW/20] 
• Mackenzie Booker [BA(Geog)/19, Dip.Agric/21] 
• Braden Ganetsky [BSc(ME)/21] 
• Pete Giesbrecht [DipAgric/20] 
• Dana Malenko [BMus(MusEd)/20, BEd/22] 

Samantha (Xiu Ying) Kee, Asper School of Business

Governor General’s Silver Medal – Awarded for Outstanding Achievement at the Undergraduate Level

Samantha (Xiu Ying) Kee

The versatility of a business degree initially piqued Samantha (Xiu Ying) Kee’s interests because it opens doors to a variety of sectors and industries. Combined with a keen fascination for working with numbers, Kee is now graduating with a bachelor of commerce with a major in accounting.

She worked as a grader for several accounting and finance courses throughout her studies and thrived in the co-op program. These positions did wonders in shaping her career goals by allowing her to try different positions in accounting while translating the skills and knowledge she learned in a classroom setting into valuable professional experiences.

Her studies ultimately allowed her to develop a broad understanding on many aspects of a business and refined many transferrable skills that have set her up for academic, professional and personal success. These experiences now lean into her future of helping organizations and businesses optimize efficiency while making a good impact on society and serving their stakeholders.

Such a prestigious award is the culmination of her persistence and dedication, and is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices she has made in order to succeed. “One thing I learned most at university is to be adaptable and to be comfortable with change,” Kee reflects on completing her studies and doing so despite a pandemic.

She also credits her parents and family for their never-ending support and for empowering her to be the best she can be.

Victoria Ploszay, College of Rehabilitation Sciences

University of Manitoba Gold Medal – Awarded for Highest Standing in an Undergraduate Faculty, College or School

Victoria Ploszay

Victoria Ploszay has always known that she wants a career in health care. Yet in such a diverse field full of options and opportunities, her choice was solidified after being able to shadow a few respiratory therapists on the job. As of 2022, she has completed two degrees, starting with a bachelor of science and now graduating with a bachelor of respiratory therapy.

For Ploszay, the profession is more than a career path– it energizes and invigorates her. She is excited by the many possibilities that she can turn into reality. “One of my many hopes includes being able to establish and define roles for respiratory therapists in community health settings, particularly in rural environments where services we have to offer are very limited,” says Ploszay.

Ploszay is also a published author from her work as a student research assistant in the College of Rehabilitation Services and the College of Nursing. At the same time, she held a clinical position as a respiratory therapist.

Volunteering as a science fair judge at Holy Ghost School and as a dancer in the Polish Folk Dance cnsemble SPK Iskry, Ploszay also made time to serve the community around her. She has consistently pushed herself to succeed and always looked forward to the future.

“There were times I thought I was at my limit, but then I found ways to adapt, prioritize and persevere,” says Ploszay. “Sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone is the only way to see how far you can go.”

She looks to her grandfather for inspiration. His love for learning translated into Ploszay’s determination and taught her to embrace every opportunity. The respiratory therapy profession is extremely lucky to have an individual like Ploszay, who will redefine what it means to provide quality care.

Key will graduate during the Fort Garry Convocation ceremonies on October 19 and 20. Ploszay will graduate during the Bannatyne Ceremony on Oct 27. Find out more about Fall Convocation 2022. 

Nick Gamble, Asper School of Business (He/Him)

Nick Gamble

A prior bachelor of science in mechanical engineering provided Nick Gamble with many career opportunities that broadened his horizons, but he wanted his education to shift beyond an engineering department. He had been involved in product development, marketing, sales and customer support but was interested in understanding how organizations can holistically drive value creation for their stakeholders. In 2022, he earned a master of business administration.

Gamble finished the program in an impressive 12 months while also successfully competing in a variety of international and national case competitions. With this expertise, he now volunteers as a coach for case competition teams.

He describes his experiences in business school as unexpected but rewarding. “I found the program to be focused on how an organization can do good for society and helping organizations create a better world is where I want my future to go,” says Gamble.

He gained a new level of confidence to apply his skills, education and experiences to his career and personal development. Gamble recently started a new position as a senior business officer with Prairies Economic Development Canada, an organization providing funding and support to businesses as they innovate and expand. He adds: “I’m really excited to be able to use my latest education to help our local economy grow and create high quality jobs for Manitobans.”

Gamble is eternally grateful for his wife for supporting him in every way throughout his education and for planning their wedding – which took place two weeks after finishing his classes!

Meghan Young, Faculty of Arts (She/Her)

Finding your own identity took on two meanings for Meghan Young because finding her passions as a student also translated into her personal growth. As a first-generation Métis student, Young found it difficult to find a sense of purpose within the institution. An Introduction to Indigenous Studies course would soon completely change this reality into a lively one that built her sense of belonging.

“I quickly realized that continuing a degree in Indigenous studies would allow me to take a deep dive into my own Métis identity and understand the experience of my family, my community and my nation,” says Young. It was only the start of what would evolve into the best path for her–graduating with an advanced bachelor of arts with a major in Indigenous studies and a minor in history.

Serving her community is always a priority, and she has successfully done so in many ways. She has held positions for two student groups: the Métis University Students’ Association and the Indigenous Students’ Association Women’s Council. She was also a mentor in the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentorship Program and was invited as a guest speaker at UM’s Bettering Our Land event addressing racism and discrimination.

Her rich background in community support and volunteerism will serve her well in a career that fulfills her passion of working with communities. Young is excited to pursue a master’s degree in Indigenous studies while making time to facilitate youth programming in traditional practices and arts, just as Métis knowledge keepers have taught her.

Alixa Lacerna, Faculty of Architecture (She/They)

Alixa Lacerna’s final year of the master of architecture program was hectic, but not without valuable lessons and great experiences for them to remember for the rest of their life. Completing their thesis was not only essential to their education but it also connected Lacerna to their heritage and encouraged them to reflect on their own identity.

“I needed a way to challenge myself to figure out what things I can work on and what skills I already had,” says Lacerna. “I gained an easy confidence with myself and a level of trust of others.”

She was the co-president of the UM Association of Architecture Students and chair of the Faculty of Architecture Student Association. These positions along with many opportunities within the program allowed her to meet new peers, fine-tune her leadership skills, and truly enjoy their academic progress.

Lacerna was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi medal, honouring students who show outstanding leadership skills, perform willing service for their school and department, and give promise of real professional merit through their attitude and personality. Throughout the pandemic, Lacerna led other students in a mindfulness session to help others cope and maintain wellness during a challenging time.

“I had a great external support system and developed an internal support system too, based on a lot of self-compassion,” says Lacerna. It is a skill that many people have difficulty learning, let alone university students.

Lacerna will be undertaking a year of research outside Manitoba and will continue to challenge their skills and knowledge as a student.

Christian Phillips, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources (He/Him)

Christian Phillips previously attended Simon Fraser University studying geology. As a student who has always excelled in math and sciences, he wanted his education to shift towards a more quantitative specialty. After transferring to UM for two years, he is graduating with a bachelor of science in geological sciences with a major in geophysics.

Phillips feels it was the right call, having enjoyed his courses in computational methods and problem-solving approaches in geomatics and the geosciences. Yet he also excelled in other ways. He was a receiver on the Bisons Football team for two years while also serving on the faculty’s Geoclub, a group of earth sciences students.

He also completed two summer research terms where he conducted field research in Nunavut on ice flow modeling and in Alberta on teleseismic shear wave splitting. Made possible by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, “these awards allowed me to assist in important research projects that help us better understand the history and state of our earth and climate,” says Phillips.

Phillips has started a master’s degree in geomatics engineering at the University of Calgary, setting him up for a future career in the field of geospatial intelligence and technology. “I hope to work in a ground-breaking, modern field where I can make a meaningful contribution,” he adds. He will undoubtedly lead the next generation of scholars shaping our understanding of environmental processes and addressing the climate crisis.

Eliana Hotz, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (She/They)

Eliana Hotz

Eliana Hotz took an Introduction to Business course at the University of Winnipeg in 2013 before transferring to UM. Although the business trajectory didn’t turn out, she has found the perfect career path, graduating with a bachelor of human nutritional sciences from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences with a minor in sociology.

Traveling and working in Australia for two years was full of experiences that shaped a deep relationship with food, cooking and sharing meals with others. Once she settled down in Winnipeg, she knew that she gravitates towards natural sciences and decided to pursue an education in nutritional sciences.

“It was a synthesis of my passion for health, anatomy and the human condition, and my newly found love for food,” Hotz says. “Food is inextricably linked to every element of life and I find myself curiously digging into these niches to draw connections.”

Starting a degree as a mature student, she wanted to make the best of extracurricular experiences. She served on the Campus Food Strategy Group, served as co-president of UMSU’s Nutrition Education and Community Outreach, and was selected for the President’s Student Leadership Program (PSLP) through the James W. Burns Leadership Institute. Now, she sits on the executive committee for the newly established PSLP Alumni Association where she will help shape future leaders and scholars just as the program and many others has done for her.

“It’s so important to remember that the point of gaining knowledge that comes with completing a degree is to be a productive contributor to the world at large, leaving it a better place than when you found it,” she adds.

Hotz is working as an extension coordinator with Manitoba Agriculture and looks forward to earning a master’s degree in public health.

At the university’s upcoming 55th Fall Convocation ceremonies on October 19, 20, and 27, 2022, the following remarkable individuals will be awarded honorary degrees:

Peter Stringham

Renowned Canadian advertising executive Peter Stringham transformed the industry through a potent blend of visionary leadership, strategic thinking and creative excellence.

His father, a Professor Emeritus in UM’s department of animal science, instilled the value of higher education in his son. Stringham received a BA in political studies at UM before beginning his career as a junior copywriter, steadily rising through the ranks to become Senior Vice-President of Gordon Hill Advertising and one of the most influential figures in the industry.

In 1980, he founded an agency of his own–Stringham & Grant Tandy Inc.–in Winnipeg, which he ran successfully for several years, before selling to Baker Lovick Advertising in Vancouver. Under his leadership as General Manager and Executive Vice-President, Baker Lovick Advertising became the first Canadian company to be named international ad agency of the year by Advertising Age magazine.

Achieving astonishing success in Canada, Stringham went on to become President and CEO of BBDO Canada, transforming the company into the nation’s biggest, top-grossing advertising agency. In 1997, Stringham left to join what was then New York’s largest agency: Young & Rubicam North America. As CEO, he was part of the team which took the company to an IPO and succeeded in it being the most successful in agency history. He moved to London, U.K. in 2001 where he helmed the global marketing for HSBC, growing the company brand 11-fold into one of the world’s most valuable brands.

Over his 45-year career, Stringham wielded tremendous influence by promoting the world’s top brands. His ability to lead in both the creative and managerial sides of the industry catapulted him to the top echelons and won him several prestigious awards, including the Retail Banker award for Best Advertising and Brand Strategy of the Year, Marketing Magazine’s Most Influential Person in Advertising and the Daily Telegraph’s Marketing Director of the Year.

In 2016, Stringham retired as Chairman and CEO of New York-based Young & Rubicam Group of Companies–one of the world’s largest marketing communications groups. He ran their global operations overseeing 27,000 employees and annual revenues in excess of $10 billion while satisfying major clients such as AT&T Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

His enduring passion for his native Canada has seen Stringham apply his leadership skills and creative vision to Canadian organizations including the Winnipeg Folk Festival, where he served as Founding President, and Canopy Growth Corp., where he was a former board member. He also helped launch the federal political career of The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy as his first campaign writer.

In 2013, Peter became a founding Chair of the American branch of War Child, a Canadian non-profit organization that provides safety, education and legal counsel to children in war-torn countries.

Stringham will receive his Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at the Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, October 19 at 2pm.

Katherena Vermette

A decorated and celebrated Métis novelist, poet, filmmaker and author, Katherena Vermette is one of the most important and recognized writers in Canada today.

Known for the generosity, care and engagement with which she approaches her work, Vermette is equally gifted at writing in several genres, including poetry, fiction, graphic novels, children’s picture books and film.

Vermette grew up in Winnipeg’s vibrant, multifaceted North End which continues to inspire her writing. The disappearance and death of her brother when she was 14 profoundly shaped her worldview and activated her sense of injustice at the discrimination of Indigenous peoples.

Her first published book of poems, North End Love Songs, is a beautifully polished and deeply thoughtful work exploring the contemporary resonances of place, family and Métis history. It was recognized with the prestigious Governor General’s Award for Poetry.

Building on the themes of her previous work, her children’s book series–The Seven Teachings Stories–explores the Anishinaabe Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers in a way that is easy for young people to absorb.

A former kindergarten teacher, Vermette’s passion for empowering and educating Indigenous youth inspired her to write the A Girl Called Echo series of graphic novels that help bridge the gap between Métis history–especially that of Métis women–and the cultural and personal preoccupations of contemporary Indigenous youth. In The Girl and the Wolf, Vermette creates an empowering Indigenous twist on a classic children’s wolf narrative which earned her top spots on Kirkus’ Best Books and USBBY’s Outstanding International Books lists.

In 2016, Vermette released her award-winning novel The Break. Winner of the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, Vermette’s devastating examination of the mechanisms of colonial power and lateral violence that shape and destroy lives in Winnipeg’s inner-city neighborhoods, and the familial love and profound connections that bind people together, became a Canadian bestseller. Widely taught in universities across the country and beyond, it has been the subject of numerous articles and dissertation chapters.

An ambitious and prolific talent, Vermette is also a filmmaker, and released her powerful, evocative prize-winning film This River in 2016 (NFB). Her second novel, The Strangers, was released in 2021, and won the Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize.

Beyond her literary triumphs, Vermette has been a generous community member who, through her writing workshops, has continually made space for other artists to share their voices with a wider audience.

Vermette will receive her Doctor of Letters, honoris causa at the Convocation ceremony on Thursday, October 20 at 3pm.

For more information about UM’s Fall 2022 Convocation, visit umanitoba.ca/convocation

Fall Convocation ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 7:30 pm and Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 3:00 pm. For further information about the ceremonies, visit the Convocation website.

Participation from UM staff and faculty is key to making convocation events a success. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to contribute to these celebrations and experience the joy and excitement of our graduates and their friends and families firsthand.

For more information, and to sign up as an usher, please submit this form by October 7th.

ABOUT CONVOCATION

Convocation ceremonies for Fall 2022 graduates from the Fort Garry campus along with graduates from the Université de Saint-Boniface will be held on October 19^th and – 20^th.

A separate ceremony will be held for graduating students from the Bannatyne campus on October 27, 2022.

If you have declared your intent to graduate, you will begin to receive emails with instructions on how to sign up for convocation, claim your academic attire, and what to expect from this year’s ceremonies.

The deadline to declare your intent to graduate for Fall Convocation 2022 is August 02, 2022.

You can view the ceremony schedules on our Convocation Dates and Times page.

More details, including honorary degree recipients, will be released in the coming weeks.

GRADUATION POW WOW

The Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023. All Indigenous graduates (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) in 2022-2023 are encouraged to participate.

More information will be sent out next term. Students graduating this fall can look for registration information next April on our Indigenous Student Experience page.

Join the conversation online by using #umanitoba2022 to celebrate.

We look forward to celebrating your graduation this Fall!