In recognition of their transformative donation to the Front and Centre campaign, which is supporting renovations on the fifth floor of the Drake Centre, the building’s student centre has been officially named the “Arni Thorsteinson and Susan Glass Student Commons.”

“Drs. Thorsteinson and Glass are influential philanthropic leaders in the Winnipeg community and great friends of the University of Manitoba and the Asper School of Business. Their generosity over the years has had a profound impact on the lives of our students,” says Dr. Gady Jacoby, Dean and CPA Manitoba Chair in Business Leadership, Asper School of Business.

Dr. Arni Thorsteinson [B.Comm. (Hons.)/71, LL.D./09] and Dr. Susan Glass [B.Comm./67, LL.D./15] have donated to UM for the past 40 years, supporting the construction of the Drake Centre and the Nursing Capital campaign, as well as supporting research chairs and the Hartley T. Richardson Student Support fund. They have also contributed their efforts to the Front and Centre campaign, serving on the President’s Campaign Team.

This recent gift is updating the teaching and learning environment in the I.H. Asper School of Business by creating a dedicated space for graduate students and staff in the Stu Clark Graduate School that supports its programs for learning, study and administration.

“Investments like this improve the student experience, helping them reach their potential and become the next generation of leaders,” said Drs. Thorsteinson and Glass. “As UM B.Comm graduates, we cherish our relationship with the school and the University of Manitoba, and are thrilled to be able to contribute in this way.”

This sentiment was echoed by MBA student Emily Sanders, who spoke at the event about her time as an undergrad student, spending late nights in the Drake Centre. She said that when she returned six years later, she was amazed to see the changes to the library, study areas and atrium.

“With your generous gift,” she said to the donors, “these positive changes will continue to be made for the Graduate Program. Your financial contribution allows the Asper School to increase the number of classrooms for the Graduate Program, encourage increased collaboration by way of breakout pods and active learning facilities, and allow us to connect to business leaders globally with next generation technology, among many others.”

At today’s celebration, fellow B.Comm graduate and Chair of the Front and Centre campaign, Paul Soubry, announced that, with this gift, the campaign has reached $369,507,253.00 toward its $500 million fundraising goal.

The 46,000-square-foot building located at 97 Dafoe Road adjacent to the Engineering Information and Technology Complex is named in honour of engineering faculty alumnus Stanley Pauley [BSc(EE)/1949]. The building expands lab and student-support facilities across engineering disciplines.

Funding for the facility was provided by the Government of Canada Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund ($12.1 million), and the Province of Manitoba ($4 million), with Front and Centre campaign donors providing the remaining costs.

Manitoba Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Terry Duguid (on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains) joined U of M President David Barnard to officially open the building and tour the facility.

“The Government of Canada’s investment in the University of Manitoba’s Stanley Pauley Engineering Building is creating the right conditions for innovation and long-term growth, which will keep the Canadian economy globally competitive,” says Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South.

“It’s not only about creating jobs today — we are helping prepare young Canadians for the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow. The U of M Stanley Pauley Engineering Building will be a state-of-the-art facility, where our students, researchers, and professors can generate innovation and job growth here in Manitoba.”

As a result of the investments in this facility, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that support experiential education and advance the country’s best research. Many of the spaces will facilitate collaboration between industry partners that will support lifelong learning and skills training. By working in close proximity, discoveries will turn into products or services while creating high-value jobs of the future.

“The Province of Manitoba is proud to invest in facilities that fuel growth in innovation and address the current market demands for trained engineers in all disciplines,” says The Honourable Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Education and Training. The province’s $4 million contribution to the Stanley Pauley Engineering Building will help the University of Manitoba better prepare students for engineering careers.”

The building houses a wide complement of engineering related programs and laboratories, including the Price Innovation and Prototyping Centre used by student design teams, Co-operative education space and the Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualification program.

In addition, several research laboratories are located in the new facility including that of professor Ani Gole, who holds a sponsored Industrial Research Chair in Power Systems Simulation. His chair is sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Manitoba Hydro, the Manitoba HVDC Centre, RTDS Technologies, Electranix, Teshmont and TGS.

“I thank our federal and provincial governments for their ongoing support for innovation infrastructure. This facility will not only help us attract industry partners, retain highly skilled students and researchers, but it also supports collaboration among innovative problem solvers,” says David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba.

An open house is planned during 2019 Homecoming Week, on September 20, 2019, for donors and the campus community.

This milestone results from the contribution of a large team from across the University, consultants, and contractors. The Stanley Pauley Engineering Building would not be possible without significant support through the Front and Centre Campaign from more than 700 donors, including the foundational commitment of $5 million from the Pauley Family Foundation.

Significant funding was also received from the Federal Government Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Province of Manitoba. Over the next few months all the various areas of the building will be fully commissioned.

The Stanley Pauley Engineering Building will house a range of teaching and research laboratories, the Price Innovation and Prototype Centre, to support design team project fabrication, new program offices, and student study space.

This new building helps the Faculty of Engineering better support the 57% increase in student enrolment so far this decade, as well as offering enhanced educational and research opportunities to students.

The new investment of $60,000 allowed the Faculty of Agriculture Students’ Organization (FASO) to update the student lounge and council office located in the historic 105-year-old Agriculture Lecture Block building.

Before renovations, the lounge and office were furnished with odds and ends accumulated over decades of use. Today the renamed Richardson Aggie Student Lounge includes new couches, tables and chairs, a study counter equipped for multiple users, and a microwave. When students want to take a break, the space also features a pool table, television and sound system. The office on the second floor has been transformed into an inviting and professional space where FASO members can manage student council business, social activities and fundraising events.

“This lounge is a crucial part of the Aggie experience here at the University of Manitoba as it serves as a place for students to study, rest, meet new friends, and network.  It allows students to come together, and help create the character and atmosphere that makes the Aggie experience so exceptional,” said Brian Archibald, FASO Senior Stick.

“It means a lot to students to have support from our industry, and further strengthens the great reputation Richardson International Limited has as an industry leader in terms of generosity, professionalism, and student investment.”

The Front and Centre campaign seeks to provide a world-class education in a world-class environment at the University of Manitoba. This gift, along with the Richardson Foundation’s $10 million campaign gift announced in 2016, have already updated nearly 70 spaces across our campuses, helping promote and foster academic, professional and personal success for students, teachers and researchers.

A portion of the new donation will help more Manitobans get the oral health care they need, while enhancing dentistry student training. The remainder will establish the Scotiabank Scholarship in Data Analytics in the Asper School of Business.

The Scotiabank Clinical Education Fund in Dentistry will support treatment for patients at the College of Dentistry’s Patient Care Clinic. Though the U of M clinic charges 50 per cent less than private clinics, many are still unable to afford care. Scotiabank has addressed this challenge by establishing this new endowment. With the support from Scotiabank, patients who can’t afford dental treatment at the Clinic will have improved access to care. Scotiabank’s endowed gift will provide a secure source of ongoing support for the Patient Care Clinic that will benefit patients and students now and for years to come.

“At Scotiabank we believe that investing in young people is the pathway to community prosperity,” says Martin MacCool, Scotiabank’s District Vice President of Winnipeg. “As an organization we are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential and recognize that our donation to U of M will not only support the students focused on analytics and dentistry, but will also provide significant benefits to the community.”

The College of Dentistry in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences offers one of the best clinical training programs in North America, requiring students to perform more procedures than any other dental school in Canada. Its main teaching clinic is one of the largest in Western Canada and Scotiabank’s support will enhance students’ clinical training as they are exposed to a greater breadth of oral health cases from members of the public seeking their help.

“Scotiabank’s visionary gift is truly transformational, as it addresses the largest issue in today’s dental education environment,” says Anthony Iacopino, Dean of the College of Dentistry. “Traditional dental school clinic business models are failing due to the high costs of modern technologies and materials as well as the increasing proportion of underserved populations that require oral health services. This particular partnership is unique in North America as it ensures comprehensive training for our students while, at the same time, enabling the College of Dentistry to achieve important community service and outreach goals.”

The Scotiabank Scholarship in Data Analytics will recognize and support exceptional students with an interest in data analytics studying in the Asper School of Business. This support will attract and reward the sharpest students, who will graduate with the skills they need to work as database administrators, developers, analysts, and scientists. Joshua Wiebe, the first recipient of the scholarship, says he has always been passionate about Data Analytics, and that Scotiabank’s support helps him have greater flexibility when planning for the future. “It gives me more time to spend on my studies instead of working to pay the bills,” he explained “and provides the freedom to continue pursuing further education sooner.”

The Front and Centre campaign has been structured on five institutional priorities: Indigenous Achievement, Graduate Student Support, Research Excellence, Outstanding Student Experience, and Places and Spaces. These priorities respond to our province’s most pressing needs and allow us to be reactive to some our most urgent issues, like ensuring equal access to dental care for Manitobans, and providing exceptional experiences to our students.

Individuals interested in becoming patients at the College of Dentistry’s Patient Care Clinic can contact the College at 204-789-3505 to learn more and express their interest in the program. The College will be in contact to arrange screening appointments, which are scheduled weekly.

Today, we have reached a new, unprecedented level of generosity in our Front and Centre campaign.

We want you, as members of our U of M community, to be the first to celebrate our collective achievement of reaching $451,288,220 of our $500 million goal.

Though the number is significant, the impact it has created, and will continue to create, is far greater.

• 573 new scholarships, bursaries, and fellowships
• 18 new research chairs and professorships
• 37 new and upgraded buildings

Behind all of these numbers are real people: students, faculty and researchers who are already benefitting from this transformational investment in our future. You can read their stories, and hear their words of thanks, through this link.

Our greatest transformation is happening now. Thank you for being a part of it.

She was a little girl then, living in The Pas, and she and her dad would walk to the local store for an ice cream treat.

“Attached to the DQ was a liquor mart so a lot of the homeless or less fortunate people would hang around there,” explains Meade. “When we left DQ my dad would hand me our change and tell me to give it to the people outside. I think when I stopped to talk to them and saw their face light up, regardless of how much we gave, was really my first ‘aha’ moment. The moment I realised I was helping people and could make a difference.”

Since then, Meade, who is Cree and Ojibway from Peguis First Nation, has used her dad’s important life lesson to become a driver for change in her hometown and broader community.

The Aboriginal governance and management grad is this year’s winner of the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (aged 16-25) award. It’s one of six awards given out by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Manitoba chapter, as part of National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15.

This year, five University of Manitoba alumni and donors received awards for their community service. Gail Asper [BA/81, LLB/84, LLD/08], and James Richardson & Sons, Ltd., who have had a transformative impact on U of M spaces and programs, were named Outstanding Philanthropist and Outstanding Large Philanthropic Organization, respectively.

Alumni and U of M donor Tina Jones [BEd/89] was awarded Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for her involvement with local groups including HSC Foundation and Keeping Abreast. Diane Boyle, also a U of M donor, was recognized as Outstanding Professional Fundraiser.

UM Today sat down with Chelsey Meade to talk about her award and what motivates her to help others.

UM TODAY: YOU SAID THIS AWARD CAME AS QUITE THE SURPRISE. WHY? YOU SEEM LIKE AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE.

The nomination and receiving the award was a surprise because I don’t think of myself as a philanthropist. When I think of philanthropy, I think of people donating monetary gifts. I think of wealthy people or organizations giving money to charity.

For many of the teams I have worked with, the goal was never to raise money specifically. Instead, I focused on donating my time to create change, make a difference in people’s lives and to raise awareness.

LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE TEAMS YOU’VE BEEN PART OF. THE BANNOCK AND BACKPACKS PROJECT STARTED HERE AT THE U OF M, RIGHT?

Yes, it was an idea some of us students started through the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment, and this past year was our second annual donation drive to raise funds and supplies to fill backpacks for the less fortunate.

We really wanted to reach more people in our second year, so part of my job was to increase our social media presence, connect with media stations, and give interviews.

(L-R) Taylor Morriseau, Chelsey Meade, Nicole Stonyk, Maxine Boulanger at the Bannock and Backpacks Donation Drive.

YOU TRIPLED DONATIONS AND DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF BACKPACKS YOU GAVE OUT. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT?

Amazing! A few months after the 2016 Bannock and Backpacks Donation Drive, I was downtown waiting for my bus to the university and I decided to grab a coffee and breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons. While waiting in line I saw a man counting quarters so I bought him a sandwich and coffee and sat down to talk to him. I noticed he had a U of M backpack and I told him that’s where I went to school. He smiled and told me that he got the backpack while getting food at Dufferin and Main, which is where we held our Bannock and Backpack Donation Drive. He now uses the backpack every day. It really inspired me to continue the work that I was doing.

YOU’VE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN AND ADVOCATED FOR MORE SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP YOUTH BACK HOME, LIKE THE PEGUIS YOUTH MOVEMENT AND PEGUIS POST-SECONDARY TRANSITION PROGRAM. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

While growing up on my reserve, I knew that I did not have a lot of opportunities. After graduating high school, I knew the only option I had was to leave home to pursue a post-secondary education. This was one of the most difficult things I have faced. The loneliness, homesickness, and depression I faced was, at times, unbearable.

I did not want other kids from my community to feel so isolated and alone. Too many times I have seen youth discouraged because of where they come from and the challenges they have seeking help. I knew that I wanted to create changes for the younger generations who would have to face these challenges in the coming years. It is extremely important to me to help our youth dream and achieve their goals.

A LOT OF THE CAMPAIGNS YOU’VE HELPED INITIATE HAVE BEEN GRASSROOTS BASED. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO HELP PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IN THIS WAY?

I was always taught the importance of community and nourishing your relationships with others. The grassroots movements I have been a part of were created because members in the community wanted and needed change. It was incredibly important to engage community members because they truly understood the needs of the community. Far too often, while I was growing up, I saw temporary solutions; most times organizations would come in for a while and eventually disappear. By listening to people in the community and working with them, organizations or grassroots movements are able to grow and evolve into what communities need.

NOW THAT YOU’VE GRADUATED, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE HELPING OTHERS?

Right now I’m working as a Research/Admin Assistant for the Manitoba First Nations School System which administers and manages elementary and secondary education programs in 10 First Nations schools. It is First Nations designed and focuses on improving the quality and relevance of education in First Nations community.

I eventually want to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and administration. I think my ultimate goal is to return to my home community of Peguis to help develop the economy on our reserve, which will create more programming and opportunities for our members. Regardless of where my life takes me, I hope that I continue to learn from others and share my knowledge.

The Grand Opening of the New Addition to the Taché Arts Complex will unveil the renovation and restoration of Taché Hall that houses memories for many in the U of M community.

Built in 1911 as the male and female dormitories, the four-storey building was the largest on the new Fort Garry campus, with a façade almost as long as two football fields. It housed up to 200 women and 400 men, most of them home economics and agriculture students from rural Manitoba.

The dorms on Dafoe Road were the social hub of the university, housing two gyms, two swimming pools, lounges, an auditorium, and a dining room. For almost 30 years, home economics students ran a tea room. Concerts, plays, church services, dances, debates, and graduation ceremonies also took place here.

As more faculties and schools opened, the residence was renamed the Manitoba Union Building. However, students were forced to leave during the Second World War, when their home turned into an infantry basic training centre for about 3,000 men.

Left in shambles in 1945, the iconic campus building endured further damage during the Red River Flood of 1950 and did not see major renovations until 1979. By that point, a separate women’s residence had been built, and the men’s dorms were renamed Taché Hall after Archbishop Alexandre Antonin Taché, one of the university’s founders.

Taché Hall housed not only students and soldiers but also flood evacuees in 1997 and athletes during the 1999 Pan American Games. Almost 40 years ago, an idea arose to house various schools and programs, including art, music, and theatre, within Taché.

In 2011, that idea became a reality. Taché Hall closed as a residence and—thanks to our donors—is becoming a central home for the School of Art, Desautels Faculty of Music, and the theatre program in the Faculty of Arts. The Taché Arts Project is a cornerstone of the Front and Centre campaign and has already supported the creation of new spaces like the Gail Asper Performing Arts Hall and John J. Conklin Theatre.

On Sept. 14, the U of M will officially open a brand new 60,000 square foot addition to the Taché Arts Complex. All are welcome to attend to explore stunning new spaces and enjoy live performances by Desautels Faculty of Music students, faculty and alumni.

There is no cost for this event but space is limited and registration is required. For more information on this event, and other Homecoming activities, visit: umanitoba.ca/homecoming

This year, students from 11 faculties, schools and colleges committed $4.75 million to the homegrown philanthropic program. They were recognized at an event hosted by President David Barnard on April 17.

“The leadership you have shown is part of a renewal at the University of Manitoba. You are leaving a legacy that will transform this university and our province,” said President Barnard.

The referenda process began in 1987 when engineering students suggested raising funds for their faculty by holding a vote. Virtually every faculty and school has come to adopt a similar process, with close to $50 million raised since then to help support a better learning experience at the U of M.

Contributing their own funds to improve the university experience of their peers – and of future students – shows that students are engaged at the University of Manitoba, said André Marchildon, Senior Stick of the University of Manitoba Engineering Society.

The Faculty of Engineering was among the units being recognized at this year’s event. Earlier this year students from the faculty voted to commit an estimated $973,000 to the Front and Centre campaign over the next three years.

The students voted to help fund the construction of the new Stanley Pauley Engineering Building knowing they will graduate before the building is completed. This new building will greatly improve the space available for student design teams and for students to study.

“We saw this as an opportunity to pay it forward just like previous students contributed to the existing building benefitting us now. This process really allows students to gain leadership skills and develop,” said Marchildon. “We feel that we are doing our part to help the growth of U of M.”

Faculties, Departments, Schools and Programs honoured at this year’s recognition event included:

• Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
• Faculty of Arts
• Asper School of Business
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Law
• Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Work
  • Graduate students in Economics
• Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Max Rady College of Medicine
  • College of Nursing
  • School of Pharmacy
  • College of Rehabilitation Sciences
    • Masters of Physical Therapy
    • Masters of Occupational Therapy
    • Respiratory Therapy
  • St. Paul’s College

The Front and Centre campaign is the largest philanthropic investment in the history of the province, with a fundraising goal of $500 million.  Students’ contributions to the campaign through referenda giving now total $17 million.

To find out more, or to make a gift, visit the Front and Centre website.

The referendum, which featured the 2nd highest voter turnout in Engineering’s history, would see a contribution of an estimated $973 000 over the next three years to the Front and Centre campaign, pending enrollment. The results will be submitted to the University Board of Governors for ratification.

“It is incredibly exciting that a record number of engineering students supported the renewal of the student contribution to the Engineering Endowment Fund and a contribution to the new engineering building,” said André Marchildon, Senior Stick of the University of Manitoba Engineering Society. “Engineering students are proud of their faculty and understand that their contribution has a significant impact on improving their student experience.”

The Front and Centre campaign seeks to provide a world-class education in a world-class environment at the University of Manitoba. By improving and developing our places and spaces, the campaign will promote and foster academic, professional and personal success for students, teachers and researchers at the University of Manitoba and beyond.

To find out more, or to make a gift, visit the Front and Centre website.