University Gold Medal
Brenna Morton
B.A. Honours (Psychology)

The University Gold Medal is an opportunity to honour the best in the undergraduate graduating class of each faculty. A gold medal is awarded to the undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts who has achieved the highest standing. This year’s recipient is Brenna Morton, who is graduating with a B.A. Honours degree with a major in psychology. This fall, she will begin the Master of Social Work program at the University of Manitoba.

Throughout her degree, Morton worked on several exciting research projects through student research assistant positions and two Undergraduate Research Awards. “These opportunities have given me skills and experiences which are applicable to the work I hope to do as a future social worker,” said Morton. She is especially grateful for her experiences with the Family and Developmental Psychopathology Lab, led by Dr. Jen Theule, through which she contributed to several research projects and presented at conferences. “I am so grateful to have received mentorship and guidance from Dr. Theule and the graduate students in her lab,” she shared.

“One of my favourite courses was an upper-level Psychology seminar called Social Justice Research with Dr. Katherine Starzyk,” shared Morton. “This course highlighted how psychological theories and concepts can be applied to real-world social issues. I hope to apply what I learned in this course about working towards social justice in my future work.”

Her message to current and future students is to be kind to yourselves when it comes to mistakes. “It’s easy to want to succeed in everything you do, but it’s important to recognize that mistakes are a part of learning and growing.”

Faculty of Arts Honours Medal
Elbethel Masresha
B.A. Honours (Political Studies and Sociology)

Elbethel Masresha is this year’s recipient of the Faculty of Arts Honours Medal awarded to the student with the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Honours Degree Program. Masresha graduated in October 2024 with a double major in political studies and sociology. This fall, she will be attending the JD program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

Strongly committed to fighting oppression, Masresha’s studies gave her the tools to also combat hopelessness toward injustices oppressed people face around the world. “The crucial lessons and insights I have gained throughout my studies have allowed me to develop a pragmatic optimism,” she said. “There is no fruitful or just alternative to hope.”

One of her most memorable moments during her time at UM was presenting her thesis project at the Undergraduate Research Showcase. Despite initially feeling hesitant to take on this challenge, Masresha found great value in the opportunity. “Having others engage with my findings through questions and discussion allowed me to creatively expand upon the analysis,” she said. She is especially grateful for the empowering guidance of Dr. Mara Fridell, her honours thesis advisor.

Faculty of Arts Advanced Medal
Kaidyn Brasch
B.A. Advanced (Psychology)

The award for the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Advanced Degree Program goes to Kaidyn Brasch. During her undergraduate degree, she majored in psychology and minored in linguistics. She will soon be entering the Master of Occupational Therapy program at UM.

The main thing that stood out to Brasch in her UM experience was professors such as Dr. Tamara Taillieu (Tammy), Dr. Barbara Borges, and Ms. Diana Milner, who expanded their teaching to include experiences and applications outside of the classroom. “Real-life stories and passion were a big driver for me as I navigated my degree,” said Brasch. “With my goal of becoming an OT and working with people, I valued seeing how the knowledge could be applied.”

Brasch shared that scholarships and bursaries were incredibly instrumental as she worked through her degree. “Working hard to keep my grades up definitely benefited me, as my academic achievements were rewarded with scholarships,” she said. Growing up in a small rural town, another aspect that helped her in her studies was the welcoming environment at the Faculty of Arts. “Being a part of the Faculty of Arts means being a part of a warm, welcoming community of students and staff,” shared Brasch.

She advises current and future students to “not be afraid to wander from the path you initially thought was right for you. It took experience in courses to secure the right path for me. Have a goal, but don’t be afraid to explore all of your possible paths. You truly don’t know until you try!” 

Faculty of Arts General Medal
Melissa Schwartz
B.A. (French)

Melissa Schwartz is the 2025 recipient of the Faculty of Arts General Medal, awarded for highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts three-year General Degree Program. Schwartz completed a major in French and a minor in music. After graduation, she will be pursuing a Bachelor of Education at Université de Saint-Boniface.

Schwartz’s journey had its twists and turns – she started studying music with the plans of heading towards a musical career but then built a career with the military. During her time in the military, she learned French and loved it, and so when it was time for a career change she decided to return to university and become a French teacher. “A degree doesn’t necessarily lead where you’d expect,” she said. “You might not end up doing what you planned, but it doesn’t mean that you’ve given up on a dream. The opportunities that you embrace can lead to something even better.”

She advises students to be aware of the many types of student support that are available to them on campus. “Try as many of them as you can,” said Schwartz. “You never know what might speak to you.”

Congratulations to the Faculty of Arts medal winners.

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UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 3058 degrees are being awarded at Spring Convocation 2025 (over 620 are from the Faculty of Arts), bringing the total number of UM graduates to 4200 so far this year. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s $7.3 billion economic impact on our community.

Visit the UM Student Instagram  and Faculty of Arts Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating in 2025. You’ll find congratulations messages from fellow graduates and professors, stories about fellow graduates, more information about convocation and tips for new alumni. You can also join the ‘Convocation conversation’ on social media by following #convocation2025.

The result of a landmark $200-million gift, the McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies. Each scholarship covers tuition and fees for an eligible degree, a living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms, summer funding options, mentorship, coaching, a leadership curriculum, and access to the McCall MacBain House. A relocation grant is provided for scholars originating from outside of Montreal.

Elora and Rachel are among 52 Canadian finalists chosen from approximately 700 applicants after a first round of interviews. The selection process emphasizes holistic criteria such as character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

Elora Cromarty, Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) student and 2025 McCall MacBain Scholarship finalist

Elora Cromarty is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at the University of Manitoba. She has worked on several Cree language projects at the university and with Indigenous Languages of Manitoba, a non-profit organization.

Elora is a member of the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment leadership program and co-president of the Indigenous Students’ Association. She has volunteered for four years as a Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor and acted as an associate representative for Indigenous students in the Faculty of Arts student body council.

She is applying for master’s programs at McGill to pursue research on Indigenous language revitalization.

“The University of Manitoba has lots of programming for Indigenous students to develop leadership skills, mentorship skills, and to foster community involvement with other students, at the university,” said Elora. “Being involved with these opportunities and cultural events, offered through the university, has helped prepare me for this current opportunity.”

Rachel Cluett, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) graduate and 2025 McCall MacBain Scholarship finalist

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduate Rachel Cluett has worked for and volunteered for several years with the Hearts and Minds Lab. She coordinated projects, determined eligibility for a clinical mental health trial, and contributed to a manuscript on challenges and service barriers for immigrant families. Rachel has also volunteered at Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre, advocating and supporting survivors of sexual violence. She is developing her photography skills as a volunteer for local events, and she has gained management experience by working at a restaurant.

Rachel is applying for master’s programs in psychology. She hopes to improve access to ADHD support and services, particularly in rural communities.

“Being named a finalist is an incredible honour and a deeply humbling experience,” said Rachel. “It’s both validating and inspiring to be part of a group of leaders and changemakers who can guide my passion for service and growth. This opportunity has reinforced my drive to contribute meaningfully to my community and pursue my psychology career.”

“We need more leaders who act with integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage,” said Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “We congratulate these students who have already distinguished themselves as the top candidates nationally and globally, and we thank the universities that endorsed them for this opportunity.”

During their visit to Montreal, they will participate in interviews with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector. Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. Finalists not selected for the cohort will be eligible to receive $10,000 or $20,000 for their studies at McGill.

“We are grateful to the more than 300 senior leaders who contribute their time to the decision-making process,” added Natasha Sawh, CEO of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “The interview process allows students to reflect on their experiences and motivations, and we hope each one comes away from the process with a better understanding of their capacity to lead and to strengthen communities.”

Applications will open in June 2025 for the 2026 cohort. Find information about the McCall MacBain Scholarships on their website.

Scott Saindon, a third-year Indigenous Studies student, and Arshpreet Gill, a third-year Psychology student, both in the Faculty of Arts, were recognized as winners in the 2024 showcase for their outstanding contributions.

Scott Saindon achieved second place honours in the Social Sciences and Humanities poster competition for his research, ‘Métis’: a decade in review, that delves into the debates and discourses surrounding Bill C-53, an Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments.

“I’m Red River Métis, and this research project was very specific to my own peoplehood,” Saindon shared, reflecting on the personal connection he felt to his work.

Encouraged by two of his professors to apply for the URA, Saindon spent 16 weeks over the summer of 2024 working on his research under the guidance of Professor David Parent of the Department of Indigenous Studies. “I enjoyed the creative freedom I was granted to explore my ideas,” Saindon noted. This was an opportunity for him to independently explore while receiving expert mentorship.

The experience reinforced his belief in the importance of pursuing research topics you are passionate about, as it makes the work feel deeply rewarding.

Saindon emphasized the benefits of the URA, “you get to do research over the long-term, it’s a good test if you are thinking about going into graduate studies, and one of the big benefits was networking. I was able to connect with other students, Indigenous people and researchers.”

What’s next for Saindon? “My long-term career aspirations are to become a graduate student at the University of Manitoba to pursue a master’s degree and PhD, hopefully leading into a professorship and research in Métis Studies and Indigenous Studies.” He also aims to present his research at the 2025 Indigenous Relationality Workshop during the Prairie Political Science Association Conference in Banff, Alberta.

Arshpreet Gill achieved first place honours in the Social Sciences and Humanities oral competition for his research, Incentives for renewable energy: Capital-dominated vs. Margin-dominated projects, focused on how tailored incentives can drive progress in sectors like aviation and heavy-duty trucking. Gill was supervised by Professor Maryna Klymchuk of the Asper School of Business.

Gill applied for the URA with a clear goal – to share his research’s broader impact: “It wasn’t just about policies or data- it was about understanding the bigger picture of how Canada can meet its climate goals and how students like us can contribute to that vision.”

The showcase event gave him the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about sustainability and inspire conversations around innovative solutions. “More than anything, I wanted to show that research isn’t just for experts- it’s a tool for anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference,” he said.

Gill encourages students to pursue undergraduate research, emphasizing the personal and academic growth it offers. “Choose a project that excites you; that passion will carry you through any challenge. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your mentor and embrace the opportunity to learn, even if it feels intimidating,” he advised.

Gill’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with his URA. After completing his Bachelor of Arts, he plans to attend law school at Robson Hall to gain the legal expertise needed to advocate for renewable energy policies. Following law school, he aims to purse an MBA at the Asper School of Business, equipping himself with leadership skills to make a meaningful impact in the renewable energy sector. For Gill, his work is more than a research project- it’s part of a long-term vision to influence policy and drive positive change on a global scale.

Congratulations to all students who presented their research at this year’s Undergraduate Research Showcase! Your hard work and dedication exemplify the spirit of innovation and academic excellence at the University of Manitoba.

Are you an undergraduate student interested in conducting research? Applications for the 2025 URA are open now. There are over 50 researchers in the Faculty of Arts ready to work with undergraduate students this summer. Deadline to apply is February 17, 2025.

Today, MP Terry Duguid – alongside President Michael Benarroch and principal investigator Dr. Katherine Starzyk – announced $206,029 will be awarded to the Reconciliation Barometer under the Canada History Fund Program to help develop an advisory group for the project that includes Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and youth and to develop learning materials in the form of infographics, info sheets, and tool kits for educators. The ceremony was opened by Grandmother-in-Residence Elder Karen Courchene who brought greetings and a blessing to those in attendance.  

Dr. Starzyk and team. Credit: J. Ogbonnaya

“Our government’s support for the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer Project reflects our unwavering dedication to advancing the vital process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This new funding will strengthen initiatives aimed at enhancing our understanding of this important journey,” said MP Duguid.   

“What Reconciliation and decolonization means to people can be difficult to measure, but it is essential that we track progress—and hold ourselves accountable—which is why today’s funding announcement is so very welcome: The Reconciliation Barometer is a key tool for us all,” said UM President Michael Benarroch. “I am grateful to be a part of many positive events celebrating our ongoing commitment to advancing Reconciliation.”

“We have focused on understanding what truth and reconciliation means to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada on an ongoing and evolving basis and respectfully tracking progress using the best practices,” said principal investigator and Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts Dr. Kathrine Starzyk. “To the Government of Canada and especially Canadian Heritage, for this support, we say thank you, merci, miigwetch, maarsi, háw’aa! Because of this funding, we can continue to shed light on where we are in the long and winding path toward reconciliation and foster mutually respectful relationships at both personal and systemic levels so that Indigenous peoples and others in Canada can enjoy the good life.” 

More than half of the research team is Indigenous (Anishinaabe, Cree, Haida, and Métis). They also have many non-Indigenous identities. Collectively, through each of their lived experiences, the team seeks to understand what reconciliation means to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, on an ongoing and evolving basis.  

Read the latest annual report and learn more about the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer. 

Nolan De Leon, 2024 Falling Walls Manitoba winner.

Falling Walls Lab is an international competition, created by the Falling Walls Foundation, inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.  It promotes research and innovation in all disciplines, by posing the question, “Which walls will fall next?” 

Nolan De Leon (Dr.MD, PhD) won the grand prize sponsored by InfoMagnetics Technologies. The prize includes $1000 cash along with airfare and accommodations in Berlin, Germany to compete in the global Falling Walls competition finale Nov. 7 to 9 with their presentation, Breaking the Wall of Prenatal Diagnostics.

Megan Crooks (MA Clinical Psychology) won the second-place prize of $750 sponsored by Research Manitoba, with the presentation entitled, Breaking the Wall of Phantom Pain Prevention.

Anastasia Matsko (Dr.Med/PhD) was the third-place finalist winning $500 sponsored by QDoc Virtual Healthcare with the presentation Breaking the Wall of Dental Implants.

Sajad Saraygord Afshari (PhD, P.Eng, Postdoc), won the Audience Choice award of $500 sponsored by Red River College Polytechnic for the presentation, Breaking the Wall of AI-Powered Drone Work: Revolutionizing Wildfire Prevention.

“The Falling Walls Lab is an important opportunity to showcase the world-class research happening every day in Manitoba and I would like to thank the large community who came together to bring this celebration to life,” said Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, Associate Vice-President Partnerships Knowledge Mobilization & Innovation. “Students are the greatest drivers of change in addressing the pressing challenges faced by society and by empowering entrepreneurs and innovators across disciplines we can make these great ideas a reality.”

Congratulations to all the presenters for sharing their exciting research and being a part of this second Falling Walls Manitoba event:

• Mahdi Zakeri (Healthcare & Medical Sciences): Breaking the Wall of Bone Loss & Healing
• Abhinav Tiwari (Agriculture & Food Science): Breaking the Wall of Grain Drying
• Juanita Garcia (Healthcare & Medical Sciences): Breaking the Wall of Exercise in Spinal Injury
• Venkata Daggupati (Computing & Information Science): Breaking the Wall of Emergency Room Challenges
• Anastasia Matsko (Engineering & Technology): Breaking the Wall of Dental Implants
• Hussein Agoushi (Architecture & Urban Studies): Breaking the Wall of Community Silence
• Samantha Phrakonkham (Healthcare & Technology): Breaking the Wall of Eye Healthcare
• Sajad Saraygord Afshari (Engineering & Technology): Breaking the Wall of AI-Powered Drone Work: Revolutionizing Wildfire Prevention
• Amir Barzegar Behrooz (Healthcare & Medical Sciences): Breaking the Wall of Alzheimer’s Therapy
• Megan Crooks (Healthcare & Medical Sciences): Breaking the Wall of Phantom Pain Prevention
• Nolan De Leon (Healthcare & Medical Sciences): Breaking the Wall of Prenatal Diagnostics
• Carmine Slipski (Healthcare & Medical Sciences): Breaking the Wall of Oral Health Detection

The psychology student studying in the Faculty of Arts joined St John’s college as part of the college student membership, where she hoped to find people to connect with, scholarship opportunities, and a place to study on campus.

In her roles throughout campus, including university one student council, let’s talk science, and art student body council, to name a few, Kezia is proud of her involvement around SJC and UM.

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities St John’s has offered me. Meeting other students, staff, and alumni at various events has helped me connect on campus.”

The former SJC scholarship recipient acknowledges her gratitude for the financial support she received during her undergraduate studies as a college member.

“The scholarship opportunities with the student membership are helpful. They supported my studies throughout the years.”

Stepping into a new chapter following her undergraduate studies, Kezia looks forward to continuing her studies in the fall.

To learn more about the St John’s college student membership, visit our website. To sign up for college student membership, visit the steps on our membership page.

Spring 2024 Bachelor of Arts honours graduates Light Uchechukwu and Catherine Nadine St. John are no exception. The Faculty of Arts connected with each of them to ask about their time at UM:

What degree and program are you graduating with?

Light Uchechukwu: I’m graduating with a B.A. Honours degree in psychology. I have always loved learning about human behavior and how our minds function. I have a strong passion for learning and speaking out about mental health, and I’ve always wanted to help people who are struggling. 

Catherine Nadine St. John: I’m graduating with a B.A. Honours degree in history. I really, really love history- the reasons are too long to list here! I must thank Dr. Jorge Nállim, who encouraged me to do an honours degree, which was invaluable to me, and I really enjoyed it.

What is one thing that stands out to you from your time in the Faculty of Arts?

LU: Working alongside Dr. Kristin Reynolds, my thesis advisor during my last year. I learned a lot about research, specifically qualitative research. (Ed. Note: Her thesis is being refined for a first-authored publication.)

CS: It’s absolutely the community I had with my fellow students and in the history department generally. I’ve done nothing alone!

What are your plans for the future?

LU: To do my master’s degree in psychology. Throughout my time at UM, I have developed a love for research and would love to keep participating in different projects. I also hope to become a practicing psychologist.

CS: To pursue an MA in environmental history at UBC, which I’m both excited about and scared for! Thanks to all the professors who helped me apply for graduate school and offered advice on my applications.

What experiences outside the classroom were you most grateful for?

LU: The time I got to spend with my teammates (Ed note: Light was the captain of the Bisons women’s volleyball team). Getting to play the game we love at UM and playing in big games such as the CanWest Championships are moments that will stay with me forever. My team made my time here at UM the best I could ever ask for.  

CS: I love the U of M, partly because I know I was incredibly lucky. My cohort was really close, and it was great to make so many friends! I’m grateful for all the other students I met through UMHiSA (UM history student’s association). My time at the university would have been a lot lonelier without it. I’m also grateful for the URA, which allowed me to work with both Dr. Roisin Cossar and Dr. Kiera Ladner, which was really invaluable research experience. I’m continuing my work with them this summer, and it’s been very fun. 

Tell us about one of your favourite moments in the Faculty of Arts.

LU: Taking the Science of Intuition class with Dr. Launa Leboe-McGowan. I will always remember the conversations, content, and people in that seminar. We had great discussions on the science of human intuition, and I remember continually leaving that class wanting to share everything we discussed with my friends and family. 

CS: I don’t know if I can narrow my favorite specific thing, so I’ll pick a broad thing: all my seminars! In no specific order, Jocelyn Thorpe’s class on Canadian environmental history is why I’m doing the MA program I am, Jorge Nállim’s classes are why I’m learning Spanish, David Parent’s class on Urban Indigeneity was awesome, as was Jordan Howell’s class, David Churchill’s, Esyllt Jones’, Jennifer Dueck’s, and Orysia Kulick’s. Thanks for all of your help and teaching!

Any final messages?

LU: If I could go back, I would tell my first year self to be more outgoing, step out of my comfort zone, and talk to people. The people you meet are the best part of your degree.

CS: Congratulations everyone! Be excellent to each other!

Uchechukwu and St. John will convocate along with over 600 other Faculty of Arts undergraduate students in two ceremonies on June 4, 2024.

This spring, Karuhogo will graduate with a general degree majoring in psychology and Yasay will graduate with an honours degree in Criminology. Both have completed a minor in women’s and gender studies.

From creating community programming to advocacy initiatives to educational workshops, the graduates have felt the impact of their involvement on themselves and others. Two notable events these graduates had the opportunity to organize together focused on the inclusion and celebration of individuals and cultures. The 2023 Magnificent Women’s Awards Gala from the UMSU Women’s Centre was held in-person for the first time and celebrated hardworking and talented self-identifying women for their accomplishments at UM. The 2024 UMSU Cosmopolitan showcased the diverse cultures that make up the UM community through performances, artists, vendors and a fashion show. “I’ve learned so much about teamwork and organization,” said Yasay. “Student involvement has invigorated my passion for continuing to help others.”

With four of the past five UMSU Presidents being Faculty of Arts students and many more contributing in executive and student representative roles each year, we asked the grads why they think so many Arts students pursue involvement in student government. Karuhogo mentioned the influence of friendships “it is like a cycle that as long as new friends are made, those in existing roles convince others to join too.” Both mentioned the influence of their studies. “Arts students stem from many specialized majors, so they bring diverse perspectives and expertise making student governance even better,” said Karuhogo. Yasay added “Arts programs encourage students to think critically and to engage with various perspectives. Arts students bring creative problem-solving and a strong passion for advocacy which is essential to the challenges of service.”

As these accomplished women move to the next stage in their lives, what final words do they have to say about each other? “Even though some days were really long and hard, others were amazing and great. We always had each other as a support system,” said Karuhogo. “It is going to be weird to not see and work with Tracy every day. I will miss the unconditional support and encouragement we give each other,” said Yasay. She continued, “as a woman of colour, it’s important to surround yourself with empowering women, and Tracy is a force to be reckoned with.” We’d say that after all of their experiences and accomplishments during their undergraduate degrees, both women will be powerful forces wherever they may go.

University Gold Medal
Logan Hiebert
B.A. (English)

The University Gold Medal is an opportunity to honour the best in the undergraduate graduating class of each faculty. A gold medal is awarded to the undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts who has achieved the highest standing. This year’s recipient is Logan Hiebert. Logan is graduating with a B.A. general degree with a major in English and a minor in psychology. She is also the winner of the 2024 Governor General’s Silver Medal for the undergraduate student who achieves the highest academic standing in a Bachelor degree program at UM.

Logan’s love of literature and the confidence she gained going through the English program led to a welcoming, encouraging and enjoyable degree experience. “I am most grateful for the way my professors helped me to succeed outside of the classroom,” shared Logan. “A number of them encouraged me to grow as a student and a writer and to pursue further education.” She will cherish this as she moves on to study law at Dalhousie University this fall.

“My favourite class of my degree was, without a doubt, Writing Romantic Women with Dr. Michelle Faubert,” shared Logan. “I genuinely loved every text that we studied, and although the class was one of the most challenging of my degree, it was also the most rewarding.”

Reflecting upon her time and success in the Faculty of Arts, Logan reminds students just starting out in their education that even though university is definitely hard work, it is important to remember to “relax.” “Grades mean less than you think, and they say nothing about who you are as a person. You are not your grades.”

Faculty of Arts Honours Medal
Madissen Sitka
B.A. Honours (Psychology)

Madissen Sitka is this year’s recipient of the Faculty of Arts Honours Medal awarded to the student with the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Honours Degree Program. Madissen is graduating with a major in Psychology.

Like many honours students, Madissen developed a passion for research during her undergraduate degree. She began volunteering in the Hearts and Minds Lab in 2021, where her interest in child, family and maternal mental health flourished. This fall, she will continue her research journey pursuing a master’s in clinical psychology at UM. “Being an active part of a community that celebrates and encourages student research and cross-faculty collaboration has allowed me to accumulate a vast set of research and interpersonal skills and make lifelong friends,” said Madissen. “I am extremely grateful for the mentorship, advice and support of faculty, research assistants and graduate students in the Hearts and Minds Lab and sincerely look forward to continuing to collaborate with this group in the future.”

One of Madissen’s favourite moments was presenting her undergraduate honours thesis in April. “It was exciting to present and share the piece of research I had been working so hard on for several months to peers, professors and my parents! It was really special to share this moment with the two people who have offered unconditional love and support throughout my undergraduate journey.”

Faculty of Arts Advanced Medal
Hunter Lupyrypa
B.A. Advanced (Psychology)

The award for the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Advanced Degree Program goes to Hunter Lupyrypa. During her undergraduate degree, she majored in psychology and minored in sociology.

Studying at UM opened Hunter’s eyes to “the complexity of the world around us, and the idea that it is possible to become an expert in truly any subject – giving me a deeper appreciation of the idea that every job, and every role is truly so important.”

Hunter came into university thinking she would do something within the field of science or healthcare. Because university offers the chance to explore different areas, she took the opportunity to try math, finance, criminology and more. Over time, she discovered an interest in observing people and in understanding the things occurring around her. The combination of studying psychology and sociology and witnessing the impact counselling/therapy has had on people close to her has led her to pursue a master’s in counselling psychology next. “I fully believe in taking your time to figure out what it is you want to pursue long term,” said Hunter. “And, even once you’ve made that decision, it is okay to still be unsure at times! There are so many things out there and not everyone’s path needs to look the same.”

Faculty of Arts General Medal
Joshua Brandt
B.A. General (English)

Joshua Brandt is the 2024 recipient of the Faculty of Arts General Medal, awarded for highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts three-year General Degree Program. Joshue completed a major in English and a minor in history.

Joshua’s academic choices have been driven by his immense appreciation for literature and language. “I’ve been spellbound by stories and the mellifluousness of language since my youth,” he shared. “The characters with whom I grew intimate will never leave me – Hamlet, Britomart, Redcrosse, Falstaff and Hall. All are indelible. He added that studying history has “contextualized my world, ignited an interest in philosophy and deeply fascinated me.” Joshua is grateful to have been able to share and hone his interests and talents as a reporter and editor at The Manitoban for two years. He leaves fellow students and graduates with a message, “In all things, Soli Deo Gloria.”

Congratulations to the Faculty of Arts medal winners.

At its 2024 UM Convocation, the University of Manitoba will confer degrees, diplomas and certificates to over 4,300 graduates.

Visit the UM Student Instagram  and Faculty of Arts Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating in 2024. You’ll find congratulations messages from fellow graduates and professors, stories about fellow graduates, more information about convocation and tips for new alumni. You can also join the ‘Convocation conversation’ on social media by following #umanitoba2024.

“The only reason they came here was for me and my sister to get a good education. They struggled really hard for that. I have to do well, and volleyball has helped me get a nice education, which is amazing.”

She’s thrived in the sport, winning club nationals and a gold medal at the Canada Summer Games while still in high school, meeting countless friends (many of whom are teammates of hers with the Bisons) and creating lifetime memories.  The support she found there, along with the tireless efforts of her parents in all other areas, inspired Uchechukwu to be her best self. 
 
With the Bisons, her accomplishments include being named to the Canada West All-Rookie team, playing middle as well as left and right side for the team, and recording 734 kills, 499 digs and 112 blocks over the last four seasons.

Light also understands the importance of representation. 
 
Growing up, she didn’t see many other athletes who looked like her. She hopes to be an inspiration to others, to show you can do anything you set your mind to, and that any barrier can be broken with the right attitude and support. 
 
“Representation matters,” she notes. “Right now in CanWest I don’t know if I can count on one hand how many [Black athletes] are out there.

“It’s nice to know that I’m someone a young athlete can look up to. I’ve had aunts and uncles with their kids and they’ll always come up to me and be like ‘how do I get my daughter started in volleyball?’ It’s always great to have those conversations,” she says.

Read the full story at Go Bisons.