Ten of the 12 announced have UM connections, including six UM alumni, The Honourable Murray Sinclair (Mizana Gheezik), CC, MSC [LLB/79, LLD/02], Dr. Brent Roussin [BSc/96, MD/00, JD/09, MPH/11], Dr. Marcia Anderson [MD/02], Ronald (Ron) Paley [BMus/71], Michel D. Lagacé [BA/64, MA/68], and Dr. Connie Walker [BN/85, MBA/94] and four individuals who are friends of the University of Manitoba, David Johnston, CM, Robert (Bob) Williams, James Cohen, and Myrna Driedger. 

Many of these names will be familiar to the UM community, perhaps especially The Honourable Mr. Sinclair who served as an Elder-in-Residence in UM’s Faculty of Law and Dr. Marcia Anderson who is currently serving as vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. 

“The accomplishments of the women and men who will receive the 2024 Order of Manitoba exemplifies their commitment to the community at the local, national and international levels,” said Lt.-Gov. Anita R. Neville, chancellor of the order, who will preside over the ceremony. “The impact of their leadership has made a unique mark on this province and its people with achievements that both impress and inspire.” 

The Order of Manitoba was established in 1999 to honour Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents. 

The formal investiture ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Manitoba Legislative Building. 

The full list of recipients and their citations can be viewed here. 

The majority of this year’s announced recipients are UM alumni, including Charles Huband [LLB/55], Gerry Price, [BSc(ME)/70, MSc/72, LLD/17], Jamie Brown [BSc/88], The Honourable Janis Johnson, C.M. [BA/68, LLD/18], John Einarson [BA/73, CertEd/78], Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum [BSc/86, MSc/88, PhD92], and Terumi Kuwada [BHEc/68, MSW/71].

Many of these names will be familiar to the UM community, perhaps most especially business leader and philanthropist Price, whose visionary gift in 2020 had a transformational impact on the Faculty of Engineering, now named the Price Faculty of Engineering. In 2018, Dr. Kirshenbaum was a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for professional achievement.

“It is both gratifying and humbling to reflect on the exceptional accomplishments of the 12 outstanding men and women being invested into the Order of Manitoba this year, “ said Manitoba’s Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville. “They are leaders, visionaries and mentors, whose efforts have enriched lives across the province, the country and around the world. Their efforts inspire commitment to community that makes Manitoba, and Manitobans, so special.”

The Order of Manitoba was established in 1999 to honour Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents.

The formal investiture ceremony is scheduled to be held on July 20 at the Legislative Building.

The full list of recipients and their citations can be viewed here.

Seven of the twelve announced today have UM connections, including six UM alumni and individuals who have given generously to UM: Franklin (Lynn) Bishop [BA/70]; Gordon Goldsborough [BSc(Hons)/81, PhD/86]; Gregg Hanson, C.M. [BComm(Hons)/76, CA/79, LLD/18]; Ava Kobrinsky [BA/68]; former Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger, [BSW/73]; and Arni Thorsteinson BComm(Hons)/71, LLD/09]. UM professor Michael Eskin, C.M., will also receive the Order of Manitoba.

“The exceptional women and men to be invested into the Order of Manitoba serve to inspire us all and reinforce that each of us has the power to make a difference,” said Lt.-Gov. Janice C. Filmon, chancellor of the order, who will preside over ceremony. “These individuals truly exemplify resiliency, adaptability and leadership, and they are all most worthy of acknowledgement and acclaim. We are proud to celebrate the passion and leadership of these great Manitobans.”

Appointments to the order are made by the chancellor, based on the recommendations of an advisory council. Order members are entitled to use the initials O.M. after their names for life. The list of all members of the Order of Manitoba is on permanent display in the Legislative Building.

The Order of Manitoba was established in 1999 to honour Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents.

The formal investiture ceremony is tentatively scheduled to be held on July 15, 2021, at the Manitoba Legislative Building, subject to the COVID-19 Pandemic Response System.

The full list of recipients and their citations can be viewed here.

They included:

• Distinguished Professor Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, Professor, Pediatrics and Child Health and Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences – University of Manitoba; Clinician Scientist, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba; and Clinical and Metabolic Geneticist, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
• Dr. Sarah Israels [M.D./1979], renowned pediatric hematologist/oncologist
• William Loewen, distinguished business leader and philanthropist [C.A./1954]
• Dr. Grant N. Pierce [Ph.D./1983], Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences – University of Manitoba; and Executive Director of Research, St. Boniface Hospital 
• Jacqueline Blay [M.A./1987, Cert.Trad.2003], award-winning francophone historian
• Bernice Marmel [B.A./1949, M.Ed./1986], long-time champion and advocate for seniors, affordable housing and low-income Manitobans
• Dr. David Barnard, University of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor

The Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour, was established in 1999 to recognize Manitobans who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, thereby enriching the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents.  

Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon [BScHEc/63, LLD/11] presided over the July 12 ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

For additional information about the Order of Manitoba, visit www.manitobalg.ca.