Matriculation marks your formal welcome into the St John’s community, a celebration that connects you to centuries of members, Fellows, and staff who have been part of the College before you. Whether you are a new student joining us for the first time or a continuing member showing your support, this ceremony is a special moment to gather as Johnians and celebrate our shared community. 

This event will include a short ceremony, words of welcome from our College leadership, and the signing of the Matricula; an enduring record of all who have been part of St John’s College. Following the ceremony, you are welcome to enjoy light refreshments and connect with your fellow Johnians.

Date: Monday, September 15th
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: St John’s Chapel

This award will be formally presented to her at the 2025 Fall Convocation. As part of the honour, she will also deliver a presentation at UM’s New Faculty Orientation and/or through the Teaching and Learning Certificate program. 

Thorpe, a professor in the Faculty of Arts and Fellow of St. John’s College, was attending a teaching workshop when she received the news. “I had a feeling I’d find out that day,” she recalls. During a break, she checked her email, and there it was! Her friend, Dr. Christine Stewart was nearby to celebrate with a congratulatory hug. 

Nominated by Dr. Adele Perry, Thorpe’s application included a teaching dossier, a statement of educational leadership, and letters from colleagues, students and former students. “People didn’t have to share with me what they wrote, but many sent me their letters, and it really was lovely to hear from students how my teaching has affected their lives,” she says.  

Since joining UM in 2012, Thorpe has developed a dynamic, student-centered approach to teaching. She prefers not to rely on traditional lectures. Instead, she brings in real-world examples such as current events, films, or plays that make course concepts tangible and relevant. 

“You can understand the world through these ideas, but you can also understand the ideas by connecting them to the world,” she says. 

Whether she’s encouraging students to do creative projects or attend a film screening, Thorpe emphasizes course work that gets students interested.

“When something matters to students, they’re more likely to remember it. They take pride in their work, they share it with others, and it becomes meaningful to them.” 

She also draws a comparison between teaching and coaching basketball.

“You wouldn’t just show someone how you shoot the ball and expect them to know how to shoot. They have to practice. Teaching isn’t about showing off your skills; it’s about helping students build their own.” 

Over time, she has grown more comfortable with making mistakes in the classroom. “I used to worry that if a student said something problematic, everything would fall apart. Now, I know I can go back the next class and say, ‘Here’s how I wish I’d responded.’ It’s another kind of teaching moment, showing that if the goal is to learn, then making mistakes is part of learning.” 

That mindset of learning as a shared, evolving process is what drives her teaching today. She focuses on helping students build lasting skills, rather than cramming in as much content as possible. “It’s about learning how to learn, how to approach text, and how to ask better questions. That’s what stays with people.” 

And stay with them it does. Former students frequently return, sometimes years later, to tell her just how much her classes meant. One former student, now a high school teacher, recounted the impact of her Introductory to Women and Gender Studies course. Another, now in graduate school, recalled every reading and concept from Thorpe’s class. Both times affirmed her passion for teaching.  

Thorpe is also proud to be the co-founder of Decolonizing Lens, a film and discussion series she created in collaboration with Kaila Johnston of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Julia Lafreniere of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The series showcases Indigenous filmmakers and fosters dialogue on decolonization and storytelling. This June, she will attend ImagineNATIVE, the world’s largest Indigenous film and media arts festival, to discover new works and draw inspiration for upcoming Decolonizing Lens events. 

Currently on research leave, Thorpe is preparing to deliver a workshop to help educators develop their teaching philosophies and build teaching dossiers. She also looks forward to incorporating new storytelling techniques she picked up at a recent workshop into her classes. 

Dr. Thorpe’s dedication to making education relevant, reflective, and inclusive has left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues alike. St John’s College congratulates her on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to seeing the impact of her work in the years to come. 

Now an instructor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Mehta shares her story for Women’s Empowerment Month, reminding us that leadership is not just about rising—it’s about reaching back and bringing others with you. 

Finding her voice through activism and education 

Mehta began her post-secondary education at the University of Winnipeg, where she earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Women and Gender Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her undergraduate thesis titled Not So Informed Consent: Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in Canada examined the ethics of researchers using eggs from deceased women and aborted fetuses in stem cell research without proper consent.  

She later completed a Master of Science while living in Island Lake, Manitoba, where she explored The Epidemiological Impact of No Running Water in a Remote Community in Northern Manitoba.  

Rather than immediately pursuing a Ph.D, Mehta spent years working with the Red River Métis Nation alongside one of the province’s first Métis physicians. Together, they conducted research on chronic diseases, births, heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer, travelling across northern Manitoba to document health disparities. She later joined the federal government’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, where she gained firsthand insight into Indigenous health policies and the gaps within them. 

Bringing healing into community work 

As a child, Mehta was taught that the Jain way of life—rooted in non-violence and spiritual purity—served as a powerful shield while living in a colonizing country. This belief carried over into her work with The Mothering Project at Mount Carmel Clinic, where she led a yoga and body mapping initiative for mothers experiencing addiction. 

Mehta emphasizes that yoga has been heavily commodified in Western culture, often reduced to a focus on the physical body. However, its thousands-year-old history tells a different story—yoga is a lifestyle, a way of thinking. (Her book on decolonizing yoga: from critical to cosmic consciousness was published in 2021). When she joined The Mothering Project as a “yoga instructor,” she spent a year meeting with mothers weekly, listening to their stories, discussing their wellness goals, and exploring what it means to feel grounded. 

Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a research coordinator for an HIV stigma project, using photovoice to explore how race, gender, and class shape stigma, particularly among Black, Indigenous, Two-Spirit, and LGBTQ+ communities. Many participants found the storytelling process deeply affirming during times of isolation. 

A call for a new kind of leadership 

As a racialized woman in academia, Mehta acknowledges the additional emotional labour that comes with mentorship. “There’s an expectation that I have to be a role model for racialized women in ways white colleagues aren’t often asked to,” she says. “People trust me with their deep and personal stories, which is an honour, but also a weight.” 

For her, empowerment means education and freedom. 

“I have read a lot of books about other women’s lives that have created pathways to accessing knowledge and support that allows me to thrive.”

“I tell my students: Be a free woman” she says “Empowerment means that the due date isn’t the most important thing, but being compassionate, kind and having empathy.”

Looking ahead, Mehta hopes the next generation of women in STEM will go beyond breaking glass ceilings. “They will be transforming spaces and redefining leadership as coming with care, compassion and solidarity with one another.” 

Through research, mentorship, and community work, Mehta continues to champion a vision of leadership that ensures no woman has to walk her path alone.  

Gerd Prehna: Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology 

Dr. Gerd Prehna is an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. The Prehna Lab investigates how bacteria interact with their hosts, each other, and other microorganisms through structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Their primary focus is the biophysical and biochemical characterization of bacterial proteins to explore their functional roles in secretion, disease, and competition between bacterial species. 

I am excited to be a Fellow and join a new community at the University. Expanding my relationships with new colleagues and understanding new perspectives is a welcomed opportunity.

Shirley Thompson: Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources 

Dr. Shirley Thompson is an associate professor at the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba. Thompson’s research focuses on community-led education on homebuilding, ecosystem restoration, and food with York Factory First Nation and other communities. 

So joyful to be welcomed into a vibrant, caring community at University of Manitoba through this fellowship. The dialogue with community-minded people across many disciplines provides opportunities for collaboration and learning.

Punam Mehta: Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Sciences 

Dr. Punam Mehta is an instructor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Mantioba. Mehta’s research is deeply rooted in her hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she has led significant projects, including a yoga and body mapping initiative for mothers with addictions and a recent study of HIV stigma. 

I’m honoured to join the Fellows at St. John’s College and be part of this diverse community. I look forward to building meaningful relationships, collaborating with fellow scholars, students, and the community, and co-creating spaces for collective growth and transformative learning.

Patty Thille: Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy 

Dr. Patty Thille is an associate professor in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Manitoba. She is a hybrid scholar: a physiotherapist by first degree, and medical sociologist by PhD. Her core scholarship bridges critical sociological theories to highlight how discrimination manifests in physiotherapy and primary care, and more importantly, how to disrupt it. She does this work in solidarity with those fighting to end injustice. Outside of the University of Manitoba, she supports the integration of humanities and critical social sciences into physiotherapy through her work on the Executive Committee of the international Critical Physiotherapy Network. 

As someone whose career is built on bridging across disciplinary boundaries, the St. John’s College Fellowship is a great opportunity creating new relationships across disciplines, and campus locations, here at the University of Manitoba.

Welcome to the College, Gerd, Shirley, Punam and Patty! We’re so excited to have you as part of our community!

With a background in Kinesiology and Chemistry from Western University, and experience as a competitive athlete, Dr. Teetzel initially aspired to work in Canada’s sport drug-testing lab. However, a pivotal conversation with her PhD supervisor changed her trajectory. Her supervisor highlighted that the core questions surrounding drug testing were ethical, not chemical. For instance, while a drug test can detect substances, it cannot determine what should be banned in sport or justify restrictions placed on what athletes can consume.  

This insight opened a new world of possibilities for Dr. Teetzel, leading her to study applied ethics in-depth. 

Confronting racism in sport 

Dr. Teetzel’s commitment to fostering positive change extends beyond academics into the realm of sports. Partnering with St John’s College fellow, Dr. Lori Wilkinson, in what she calls a St John’s collaboration, with colleagues in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, Dr. Teetzel contributed to the research informing Winnipeg’s Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign (ARISC). This research was done in partnership with Immigration Partnership Winnipeg (IPW) and 37 community organizations focused on sport, recreation, education, and youth. 

Through focus groups, Dr. Teetzel and the research team uncovered deeply concerning experiences of microaggressions and racist actions in sport, and heard from participants changes they would like to see happen in how racism in sport is addressed.  

Now, Dr. Teetzel is working with the same research team to gain insight into the role of microaggressions, racist actions and racism on the dropout rates of youth athletes, particularly among girls aged 14-17. They hope to make further strides in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment in sports. 

Adapting to a new role

As the former Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, Dr. Teetzel sought out new ways to better support students and create a meaningful experience for them at the University. After returning to her role as a professor, she missed the ability to influence student life in a more direct way.  

When the opportunity at St. John’s College presented itself, Dr. Teetzel saw it as a chance to contribute more actively to students’ overall experiences, ensuring their time at the University of Manitoba was more than just earning a degree. 

What really stands out to me about St John’s College is that it’s a place where everybody has chosen to be. Nobody is required to join. Nobody is required to participate because it’s a course or degree requirement. Everyone, from students to staff and fellows, is here because they have elected to be in order to experience the community, fellowship, and camaraderie of the College.

Dr. Teetzel’s experience offers invaluable lessons: embrace the discomfort of change, trust in your ability to adapt, and focus on the connections you can create along the way. Just as her work continues to impact the lives of students and the broader community, your own journey may lead to opportunities to contribute to something greater than yourself, all while growing and evolving as a professional.

From 2008 to 2024, Kathy coordinated the Academic Learning Centre’s (ALC) Writing Tutor Program. In this role, she mentored peer writing tutors who assisted students, helping them enhance their writing skills and build confidence through one-to-one support with assignments.

The efforts of the peer writing tutors have culminated in Kathy’s current research project, which focuses on the Course-Based Writing Tutor Program. Through this program, tutors are integrated into specific undergraduate classes, scaffolding the writing process for students.

In her current project, Kathy seeks to understand undergraduate students’ perspectives on academic writing and their perception of the ALC writing tutors as part of their development.

Kathy’s research goal is to gather student feedback for the Writing Tutor Program, thereby improving services for students campus-wide.

As Kathy reflects on her experiences at the ALC through her research project, she is eager to hear from students. Students interested in this research project can contact Kathy at WTPresearch@umanitoba.ca.

Students looking to work with a peer tutor can find more information on the ALC website. Faculty, instructors, and students can also contact the ALC at academic_learning@umanitoba.ca. 

For the 2024 convocation on November 3, SJC is proud to recognize Rt Rev. Helen Kennedy, Dr. Evelyn Forget, and Mr. Jim Ripley. Each of these individuals has had a significant impact on our community, whether as students, on the Council, or in our chapel.

Dr. Evelyn Forget – Honorary Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa) 

The Professor of Economics and Community Health Sciences is grateful for the recognition of the research she has conducted throughout her UM career. As a researcher examining the health and social implications of poverty and inequality, and as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada, Dr. Forget is being recognized for her efforts and petitions to the Federal Government in favor of Guaranteed Basic Income for all Canadians.

In talking with her about what this recognition means, she notes how significant SJC has been in her career. 

“It’s always nice for people to recognize the work that you are doing. I’m also very conscious that the work we do as researchers is very collaborative and being recognized for my work and for having worked with many St John’s fellows is special.”

Evelyn would like to thank SJC Chancellor, Bishop Geoffrey Woodcroft for his support throughout the years on many projects. More generally, she is grateful for the colleagues and students she’s had the pleasure of working with.

Rt. Rev. Helen Kennedy – Honorary Doctor of Divinity (jure Dignitatis)

From UM student to former Council member, Helen Kennedy, Bishop of Qu’Appelle, has made her impact on the College in many ways.

As a Council member who participated in St John’s residence renewal and is committed to the well-being, support, and theological education of young people in managing ministries at the diocesan level, Helen is honoured to receive this recognition. 

“I’m very flattered and grateful for the College. This honour is more than just an award to me; a College is a place of learning, and it’s helped me become the Bishop I am today.”

In her work to become a Bishop, Helen expresses her thanks to former Bishop of Rupert’s Land Don Phillips, former SJC Warden Chris Trott, and her husband for their constant support throughout the years, which helped get her where she is today. 

Mr. Jim Ripley – Honorary Fellowship 

The highly respected lawyer with TDS is being honoured for his more than 25 years of service to the College on Council, and his many contributions to the College.

The College graduate from 1976 was an exceptional Council member, offering critical guidance on many issues. His contributions allowed Mr. Ripley to make a difference in the College community to what it is today.

In catching up with Jim to hear his excitement for November 3, he thanks a few people for helping him get involved.

“I want to thank Bernie Beare for asking me to be involved. He’s a wonderful person.“

“Thank you to St John’s for this award and recognition, and the people currently involved in the College for designating me as an honorary fellow.”

 

In addition to these honorary guests who will be recognized on Sunday, November 3, we also recognize St John’s College student members who will receive various scholarships and bursaries supported by our SJC alumni and community.

These scholarships and bursary recipients include UM students from faculties across campus, including science, art, and engineering. As part of the College membership, these scholarships are one of many opportunities available to students on campus.

On behalf of St John’s College, congratulations to all the 2024 recipients!

Over the past years, activists have made important gains in the effort to provide people who menstruate with adequate and free supplies.

In Canada, all washrooms in federally regulated workplaces must have period supplies. In Manitoba, period supplies are offered to students in all public schools in a three-year initiative through a corporate partnership and charitable donation.

Further from home, Scotland became the first country to make period products free to all in 2020, and more recently, to our south, Minnesota’s initiative to make menstrual products free in schools has made headlines.

Yet, despite these advances, menstruation continues to shape lives in negative ways and diminish opportunities for many of those who experience it. Providing free supplies in some places — while necessary in the movement towards equity — is only part of the story.

Shifting the conversation from period poverty to menstrual justice is an important step. Menstrual justice is about ensuring that all people who menstruate be provided with the resources and infrastructure to do so safely and with dignity.

To read more of Adele Perry’s article, visit The Conversation. 

This project, funded by the University of Manitoba’s Ignite Program at the Centre for Human Rights Research, brings together researchers from seven faculties and ten departments, including social sciences, natural sciences, education, engineering, the humanities, and social work. The project is housed at the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR), where Adele is Director. The CHRR has a longstanding interest in issues of water rights and justice.

In speaking with Adele Perry, she emphasizes the importance of continuously growing knowledge through collaboration.

“Working in this kind of interdisciplinary way requires us to not just learn new material or information but to relearn how and why we do the kind of learning we do. The Just Waters project is about creating new knowledge and teaching ourselves and each other.”

Similarly, Kiersten Sanderson, the project’s first research assistant and a participant in the Indigenous Summer Student Internship Program, has also seen positive impacts from this campus-wide collaboration.

“I’ve learned over the past few months that water justice requires us to remember that all living beings are affected by ongoing water crises in various forms. That’s why the diversity of faculties and departments is important.”

As Adele Perry and her team focus on this water justice, it’s hard to miss the connections between human life and water in a place like Winnipeg. In bridging this connection, the project will look at the juncture between society in three ways: climate justice and water, Indigenous people, water, justice and injustice, and the pasts and futures of water. 

With the project underway, the impact Adele hopes to see in this project is a shift in how research around water and what people, including the general public, know about water research.

UM President Michael Benarroch, Juliette Mammel, Lori Wilkinson, Mario Pinto, Vice-President Research and International celebrate at the 2024 RSC Induction and Awards Ceremony on November 8, 2024

“The Royal Society of Canada is proud to welcome these inspiring scholars, artists and creators whose peers have recognized their exceptional contributions to the world of science and culture and to the well-being of Canada,” says Alain-G. Gagnon, President of the RSC. “The impact of their work will continue to be felt in the development of public policies for years to come, while contributing to the well-being of our society.”

Lori Wilkinson

Lori Wilkinson, distinguished professor, Sociology and Criminology, Faculty of Arts

Lori Wilkinson is the Canada Research Chair in Migration Futures and is internationally acclaimed for her research and advocacy for immigrant populations. She is director of Immigration Research West, a multidisciplinary group educating Canadians about the contributions of newcomers.

Her applied research in migration and refugee settlement has instigated policy changes in Canada that have facilitated the successful resettlement of refugees over the past twenty-five years. Wilkinson’s pioneering work on youth migration was a catalyst for policy reform that continues to impact how Canadian and international governments provide resettlement assistance.

Juliette Mammei

Juliette Mammei, associate professor, Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science

Juliette Mammei is an international leader in the field of subatomic particles. Her work expands our understanding of nuclear and nucleon structure and tests the Standard Model of Particles and Interactions, which summarizes current knowledge of the basic building blocks of matter.

She is dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in nuclear physics education in Canada. Her advocacy is helping to improve First Nations student outcomes in the sciences as part of the Verna J. Kirkness program, hosted Indigenous high school students in her lab every year since her faculty position began.

Melinda Moch and Mario Pinto

The Royal Society has also awarded Faculty of Law alumni Melinda Moch the 2024 Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize, which is presented annually to a graduating law student in each of the law schools in Canada. The award recognizes Moch for her positive influence on equity and social justice as a vocal advocate of Indigenous rights.

As a mentor with the Law Maker’s program graduate Moch helped to inspire greater understanding and interest of post-secondary students in the connections between social justice teachings and current events faced by Indigenous nations. Moch is motivated by the goal of imparting the knowledge of land rights teachings to show young people the many paths after high school that can make a difference in their communities.

The Class of 2024 RSC Fellows, College Members and Award winners will attend the Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Vancouver, BC from November 7-9^th at the JW Marriot Park Hotel.

“These UM scholars have demonstrated leadership in the world of science and to the well-being of our society,” said Dr. Mario Pinto, UM Vice-President (Research and International). “I congratulate the honorees on this well-deserved recognition by their peers and the Royal Society for their advancing their respective fields in Canada and around the world.”