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.

During the URA, Elendu conducted research on restorative justice models and practices, drawing comparisons to traditional justice systems.  Her work also delved into Indigenous water laws and responsibilities, where she explored the reverence for water as a sacred entity and the vital role Indigenous women play in its protection. This immersive research experience not only deepened her understanding of the intersection between academic inquiry and real-world challenges but also enriched her overall university journey. Elendu plans to carry this knowledge into her future legal career, approaching her work thoughtfully and fairly while keeping people and their experiences at the forefront.

In the summer of 2024, Elendu worked under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Woolford, professor and head of the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Dr. Woolford is an Emeritus of the College of the Royal Society of Canada, Fullbright Scholar and former President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars. His research focuses on themes of power, resistance, justice and destruction.

We spoke with Elendu about her URA experience:

What research did you conduct?
Elendu: I focused on researching restorative justice models and practices, comparing them to traditional forms of justice. Restorative justice emphasizes healing, accountability and community-based approaches, which often align with Indigenous worldviews but it’s important to note that they are not the same. Additionally, I explored Indigenous water laws and responsibilities, learning how water is viewed as a sacred entity and how Indigenous women are central to its protection. Both areas of research highlighted how traditional and Indigenous practices offer meaningful alternatives to mainstream systems.

What made you decide to apply for an URA?
Elendu: I wanted to gain hands-on research experience and learn from a professor in a way that went beyond the classroom. The URA felt like a great opportunity to dive deeper into topics I’m passionate about while building skills for my future. Additionally, it will strengthen my academic profile for applying to law schools.

Was there anything that surprised you during the research process?
Elendu: I was surprised by how much I learned from talking and connecting with people, especially Elders and knowledge holders. Attending a residential school survivor event and listening to Elder Betty Ross share her story was incredibly eye-opening. It taught me that research is not just about books and articles—it’s about listening and engaging with lived experiences.

What did you learn from the URA experience? How has it enriched your university journey?
Elendu: The URA taught me how to think critically, manage my time and communicate my ideas succinctly. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the connection between academic research and real-world issues. This experience has made my university journey feel more meaningful, and it’s shown me how research can create positive change.

How do your studies in the Faculty of Arts complement your research activities and your future career goals?
Elendu: My studies in criminology and psychology help me understand how people behave and how justice systems work. This connects to my goal of becoming a lawyer; it gives me the tools to think carefully about legal issues and how they affect people and communities. Through my research on restorative justice and Indigenous practices, I’ve learned how justice can be about healing and accountability, not just punishment. I plan to use this knowledge in the future as a lawyer to approach my work in a thoughtful and fair way, ensuring I keep people and their experiences at the forefront.

The URA is an incredible opportunity for students interested in conducting research to spend 16 full-time weeks from May to August under the mentorship of a professor of their choice. It offers many benefits: building valuable research skills, expanding your academic network and a $7,000 monetary award.

Applications for the 2025 URA are open! Visit the Undergraduate Research Awards webpage for more information on the application criteria and guidelines. There are over 50 Faculty of Arts researchers willing to take on an undergraduate student this summer.

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 new fellows come from across UM, representing both the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts, and include a former Warden and Vice-Chancellor of SJC.

We caught up with them to see what joining the St John’s community means to them. 

Jenna Tichon: Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics

Dr. Jenna Tichon focuses her research on experimental design, where she looks to find optimal split-plot designs for industrial and agricultural experiments. Jenna uses programming and simulation to develop a deeper understanding of statistical concepts, data visualization, and creating accessible research.

Jenna shares her excitement about learning from other academics and making new connections.

“I’m most excited about meeting and working with new people, learning about their research, and contributing to making the University of Manitoba a more vibrant and friendly place to work and learn. Every fellow speaks about what a strong community they felt at the College and how much they learned by sharing experiences with colleagues from all around the university.” 

Aleeza Gerstein: Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology and Statistics

Before moving back to her hometown of Winnipeg, Aleeza studied in the Zoology Department at the University of British Columbia, where she focused on evolutionary genetics using the budding yeast, and held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

Her research applies evolutionary principles and statistical methods to understand the factors that influence how and why fungal populations evolve.

About joining St John’s, Aleeza says, 

“I greatly welcome the opportunity as a Fellow to form additional relationships with others across the university community. Creating and fostering community is an overarching thread that has driven much of the service I have undertaken as a faculty member.”

Gregg Olsen: Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology and Criminology

As an esteemed sociologist, Gregg Olsen has spent over three decades researching socio-economic inequality and strategies to eradicate it. A recipient of the Arts Award in Internationalization, he has given public addresses and conducted research in over twenty nations. His cross-national approach has furthered his understanding of why inequality varies dramatically across countries and time.

Murdith McLean: Former Warden and Vice-Chancellor of St John’s College 

Murdith McLean is no stranger to St John’s College, having served as Warden and Vice-Chancellor from 1980 through 1997. He was also an adjunct professor in the UM Department of Philosophy and served in several important roles at the University. He was a Senate appointee to the Board of Governors, and member of the President’s task force on strategic planning. 

The former Warden returns to St John’s College as a retired fellow.

To learn more about St John’s College fellowship, visit our website. 

“When you make a formerly exorbitantly expensive service affordable, more people will try to use it. Economists call this induced demand,” Prentice said in an interview.

“Some families are lucky and they’re getting into these $10-a-day spaces but many more families are shut out because we do not have enough services.”

Read here

Over 40 Faculty of Arts students who were 2023 undergraduate student research award (URA) and psychology undergraduate research experience award (PURE) competition winners and their research advisors came together for a luncheon event where they shared what the students worked on, what the supervisors had to say about the students’ amazing work and what each student learned from their experience.

“Undergraduate students play an important role in helping research happen on university campuses,” said Dr. Randy Jamieson, Associate Dean (Research). “Students provide valuable input to the important humanities and social science research conducted in the Faculty of Arts. Their efforts help to advance the research of the supervisors and their teams. At the same time, the students learn valuable skills that are useful in both their studies and their future careers.”

“Undergraduate students play an important role in helping research happen on university campuses.” – Dr. Randy Jamieson

Through research work, Faculty of Arts students build skills in research methodologies and techniques, how to write about and present data, data collection and analysis, public speaking and technical skills like using software such as SPSS or various types of lab equipment. The award winners shared how they worked on exciting and diverse tasks such as scouring databases, legislation, library catalogs and archives, creating bibliographies, conducting literature reviews, recruiting research participants, analyzing data and helping to communicate research findings to the greater community by contributing to a variety of items like articles, videos, blogs or graphics.

Lydia Gork [BA(Adv)/23], the Faculty of Arts 2023 University Gold Medal winner and a former research award winner herself, spoke to the students about why she became a student researcher and the thrill of winning first place in the spring 2023 UM Poster Competition (Humanities and Social Sciences category). Now a graduate student in Indigenous Studies, she showed the students where research can lead and inspired them to seek out more opportunities during their degree.

At the luncheon, the students were encouraged to take what they’ve learned to the next level by applying for the UM undergraduate research showcase, presenting at the annual Faculty of Arts undergraduate research symposium and applying for future research awards. Dr. Jamieson added that participating in these types of events “not only helps share Arts research with a wider audience, it also furthers each student’s experience and learning”.

The event was a huge success. There were many smiling faces as each student received a keepsake that included remarks from Acting Dean Rob Hoppa along with personalized comments from their academic supervisor. The students were reminded to feel proud of their contributions and accomplishments. In return, the students thanked their supervisors for providing the opportunity to learn and explore many unique and exciting areas of study.

“We get extremely encouraged when we hear students tell us that their research experience is what led them to pursue an honours degree or graduate studies,” said Dr. Hoppa. “Or, how it helped guide their future career choice and gave them the experience and skills to succeed after graduation.”

Research opportunities for students

The next UM undergraduate research showcase (replacing the Poster Competition) takes place on October 31, 2023. Learn more and apply.

The 2024 Faculty of Arts undergraduate research symposium will take place in April. Arts students will receive an email with more information.

Undergraduate students can apply for a 2024 URA or PURE. Visit the web for more information and to see deadlines for each award.

Watch what students and supervisors have to say about Faculty of Arts undergraduate research:

CRCs are world leaders in their field funded by the Government of Canada in the areas of natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities. “These symposia were a wonderful opportunity for researchers to get to know each other’s specialties, and to spark new collaborations with students and the wider community,” says Mario Pinto, Vice-President (Research and International). “I thank all the CRCs for their groundbreaking contributions to address the issues faced by society today.”

This thought-provoking look at current UM research is available to view online, each featuring a brief presentation from the gathered CRCs followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience.

CRC Symposium 1, February 2, 2023 – Fort Garry Campus

Featuring presentations from: Heather Armstrong, Chair in Integrative Bioscience; Guozhen Zhu, Chair in Mechanical and Functional Design of Nanostructured Materials; Trust Beta, Chair in Grain-Based Functional Foods; Eric Collins, Chair in Arctic Marine Microbial Ecosystem Services; Britt Drögemöller, Chair in Pharmacogenomics & Precision Medicine; Ned Budisa, Chair in Chemical Synthetic Biology and Xenobiology; Lori Wilkinson, Chair in Migration Futures; Jason Kindrachuk, Chair in Epidemiology and Global Public Health; Sabine Mai, Chair in Genomic Instability and Nuclear Architecture in Cancer; Jörg Stetefeld, Chair in Structural Biology and Biophysics; Carl Ho, Chair in Efficient Utilization of Electric Power; and Nandika Bandara, Chair in Food Proteins.

CRC Symposium 2, February 27, 2023 – Bannatyne Campus

Featuring presentations from: Tracie Afifi, Chair in Childhood Adversity and Resilience; Robert Lorway, Chair in Global Intervention Politics and Social Transformation; Janilyn Arsenio, Chair in Systems Biology of Chronic Inflammation; Puyan Mojabi, Chair in Electromagnetic Inversion for Characterization and Design; Annette Desmarais, Chair in Human Rights, Social Justice and Food Sovereignty; Zulma Rueda, Chair in Program Sciences & Global Public Health; and Kathryn Sibley, Chair in Integrated Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation Sciences.

CRC Symposium 3, March 28, 2023 – Fort Garry Campus

Featuring presentations from: Ties Boerma, Chair in Population and Global Health; Kiera Ladner, Chair in Miyo we’citowin, Indigenous Governance & Digital Sovereignties; Rotimi Aluko, Chair in Bioactive Peptides; Zahra Moussavi, Chair in Biomedical Engineering; Terry Klassen, Chair in Clinical Trials; and Galen Wright, Chair in Neurogenomics.

CRC Symposium 4, April 24, 2023 – Bannatyne Campus

Featuring presentations from: Lisa Lix, Chair in Methods for Electronic Health Data Quality; John Ataguba, Chair in Health Economics; Nicole Wilson, Chair in Arctic Environmental Change and Governance; Lorrie Kirshenbaum, Chair in Molecular Cardiology; Meghan Azad, Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease; and Kristine Cowley, Chair in Function and Health after Spinal Cord Injury.

CRC Symposium 5, May 16, 2023 – Fort Garry Campus

Featuring presentations from: Kristina Brown, Chair in Arctic Marine Biogeochemistry; Nicole Rosen, Chair in Language Interactions; Robert Mizzi, Chair in Queer, Community & Diversity Education; Samar Safi-Harb, Chair in Extreme Astrophysics; and Susan Logue, Chair in Cell Stress and Inflammation.

CRC Symposium 6, June 19, 2023 – Bannatyne Campus

Featuring presentations from: Andrew Halayko, Chair in Chronic Lung Disease Pathobiology and Treatment; Colin Gilmore, Chair in Applied Electromagnetic Inversion; James Blanchard, Chair in Epidemiology and Global Public Health; Marcelo Urquia, Chair in Applied Population Health; and Souradet Shaw, Chair in Program Science & Global Public Health.

As part of their research, Hannah, Kat, Melissa, and Laura produced the podcast “Farmland Matters” which is showcased on their new website Land Politics & Food Sovereignty.

Across the Canadian prairies, farms are becoming fewer and farther in between. The math within the conventional system increasingly doesn’t add up, the risks are heightened, and farmland prices continue to rise.  Rural communities are being hollowed out and inequality and competitive dynamics are growing between farmers. Those who have managed to survive are faced with the “go big or go home” mentality that prevails across the sector: one that says they have to expand and consolidate their neighbours’ land to ‘make it.’

Can it be true that there is nothing we can do? That this path is our only way forward?

Though many farmers express that “there is no alternative” or that “this is just the way it is,” there are also farmers who strongly believe that the future is not scripted- that our society has the power to reverse these trends and reclaim control over the land markets, food production and the well-being of our communities and environment. Indeed, farmland—it’s ownership and use–matter.

Their research was supervised by Dr. Annette Desmarais (Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Manitoba and Canada Research Chair in Human Rights, Social Justice and Food Sovereignty), Dr. Johnathan Peyton (Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Manitoba), and Dr. André Magnan (Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Studies at the University of Regina). This research was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the SSHRC insight grant. 

University Gold Medal
Karlynne Sagert
B.A. General (Psychology)

Karlynne Sagert

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 Karlynne Sagert. Karlynne is graduating with a B.A. General degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Family Social Sciences.

Karlynne has a passion for working with children. Her academic and work choices so far are leading her toward a long career in a helping profession. During her undergraduate degree, Karlynne took courses in psychology, anatomy and family social sciences to learn more about how to help children with their reading, writing, gross and fine motor skills and self-regulation. She didn’t hesitate to list her favourite course as PSYC 2290 Child Development. “I enjoyed learning about the developmental milestones throughout childhood,” said Karlynne. “We had the opportunity to raise a virtual child which was really fun and an interesting way to comprehend the course content.” While working as an educational assistant with the Swan Valley School Division, she saw the need for occupational therapy services in rural areas and felt her bachelor’s degree choice would help her reach her goal. She plans to continue her studies with the Masters of Occupational Therapy program at UM. Karlynne would like to thank her “family, friends, professors and peers for their support and guidance” throughout her undergraduate studies. “I also want to thank the Faculty of Arts for granting me this award. It is a true honour and I am forever grateful for this recognition.” We congratulate Karlynne on her outstanding academic success.

Faculty of Arts Honours Medal
Volodymyr Shevchenko
B.A. Honours (Philosophy)

Volodymyr Shevchenko

Volodymyr Shevchenko 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. Volodymyr is graduating with a Philosophy major and a Religion minor. 

During his degree, Volodymyr was encouraged by how much the Philosophy faculty and staff genuinely care about their students and noted how that bond boosts the overall university experience. “Each of my professors was willing to take time to meet with me, answer my questions, review my grad school application and just connect with me on a human level,” he shared. Volodymyr will begin a PhD in Philosophy studies at the University of Toronto this fall. He applied to the masters program only to have them reach out to him with a spot in PhD studies – a credit to his past academic success and future potential. At the same time, Volodymyr plans to write the LSAT this summer and apply to U of T’s school of law so that he can pursue a joint JD/PhD. Volodymyr would like to thank “God, my wife Caitlyn, and my family for being my support during my studies.”

Faculty of Arts Advanced Medal
Taleah Taves
B.A. Advanced (Psychology)

Taleah Taves

The award for the highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts four-year Advanced Degree Program goes to Taleah Taves. During her undergraduate degree, Taleah majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. 

The transition to virtual learning during a large portion of the degree was difficult for many students. Taleah credits her fellow classmates, peers and instructors for showing compassion to each other and for working together to help students like her not only make it through the degree, but also complete it with such success. “In my last term, I took SOC 3720 Criminal Law and its Procedure with Jodi Koffman, and it was by far my favourite course I have ever taken,” she said. “I looked forward to the course each week despite it being over Zoom. (Koffman) created a safe and relaxed environment for us, which allowed us to get to know each other better and feel comfortable sharing our experiences and thoughts. I could not have asked for a better instructor and group of classmates to end my degree with!” Taleah plans to go on to an education degree, with a desire to teach history (including Indigenous perspectives) at the high school level. “My experiences coaching, tutoring and mentoring helped me decide to pursue a teaching career,” she shared. “I believe teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs one can have. I am so excited for the future!”

Faculty of Arts General Medal
Delaney Fehr
B.A. General (Psychology)

Delaney Fehr

Delaney Fehr is the 2022 recipient of the Faculty of Arts General Medal, awarded for highest standing in a Bachelor of Arts three-year General Degree Program. Delaney completed a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.

At the beginning of her degree, Delaney struggled with deciding on her path because she had too many interests. She knew she wanted to work with people and needed variety. The courses taken in her Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree will provide a fantastic base as she begins the Masters of Occupational Therapy program at UM. “I love that OT focuses on all aspects of an individual’s health, such as physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual,” said Delaney. She reminds us that getting a degree isn’t just about the studies. One of her favourite moments came from her UM intramural soccer team Neymar Mr. Nice Guy. “I played in my first year and again in my final semester. We won the Winter 2022 tournament which was an awesome way to end my three years at UM!” Delaney would like to thank her family and friends for their support during her studies.

Congratulations to the Arts medal winners.

At its 2022 UM Convocation, the University of Manitoba will confer degrees, diplomas and certificates on 2,835 graduates.
Visit the UM Student Instagram  and Faculty of Arts Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating in 2022. 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 #umanitoba2022.

Student members of the LGBTTQ+ community are far more likely to be victims of targeted harassment and feel unsafe at school than their peers who are cisgender and heterosexual, Manitoba researchers have found — once again.

A decade ago, local academics partnered with advocacy organization Egale Canada to launch Every Class in Every School, a groundbreaking report on the state of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in classrooms across the country.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg recently dusted off the document and undertook a followup survey to determine whether schools are safer for marginalized students now.

The title of their new report: “Still In Every Class In Every School,” sums up their findings.

“There’s been really important and significant improvements, which is heartening to see — but at the same time, it’s also a bit disheartening to see how little things have changed,” said Christopher Campbell, a co-investigator on the new report and PhD candidate in U of M’s faculty of education.

The initial survey, conducted throughout 2008-09, found 64 per cent of LGBTTQ+ students felt unsafe at school.

That figure dropped to 62 per cent in the 2021 edition, a 158-page document that draws from responses submitted by students in Grade 8 or higher between April 2019 and May 2020.

Upwards of 3,500 students from across the country participated in both studies, which involved a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

Campbell, alongside principal investigator Tracey Peter, presented their new findings to educators across the province this week during a lecture organized by U of M and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.

Peter, a sociology professor at the U of M, told the audience the number of LGBTTQ+ students reporting verbal harassment related to everything from sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression has dropped over time by nine per cent, six per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively. Still, she said, far too many students are being directly targeted.

The 2021 report shows LGBTTQ+ students reported five times more verbal harassment about their sexual orientation than their cisgender and heterosexual peers.

Read the full Free Press story here.