The day’s celebration will begin with the Founder’s Day Service at the St John’s Chapel, a time to reflect on the history of the College and remember those who legacies continue to inspire us. Afterward, alumni will gather in the Robert Schultz Galleria for a luncheon recognizing Johnians who graduated 25, 40, 50 and 60 years ago. 

The afternoon Convocation Ceremony will then highlight the heart of the day: recognizing this year’s scholarship and bursary recipients, and conferring honours on outstanding members of our community:

• Dr. Karla Jessen Williamson, B.Ed., P.B.Dip.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D — Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa)
• The Right Reverend Chad McCharles, O.S.B.Cn — Doctor of Divinity (jure dignatatis)
• The Right Reverend Geoffrey Woodcroft, Construction Technician, B.A., M.Div., D.D. — Honourary Fellowship
• Mrs. Jocelyn (Burgess) Barnard, B.Sc., B.S.W. — Honourary Fellowship 

The College is proud to celebrate the success and service of its members and friends, and looks forward to an inspiring day of connection in both the St John’s College Chapel and Robert Schultz Galleria.

Valmestad’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in an intimate engagement with nature, shaped by personal history and philosophical reflection. From the sweeping expanses of the Prairies to the elemental terrains of Norway, Iceland, and Newfoundland, Valmestad seeks out open vistas as emotional and contemplative spaces. Her paintings probe the interplay of light, spatial tension, and atmosphere (Stemning), drawing on the aesthetics of the Sublime to evoke awe, unease, and introspection. 

For Valmestad, Nature is not merely a subject but a force. Its rawness and immensity serve as a catalyst for emotional resonance and a profound sense of place. Artist residencies in Iceland (Iceland Up Close, UM Today) and Newfoundland have furthered this inquiry, offering her access to coastal landscapes that mirror the rugged spirit of northern geographies. These experiences continue to shape her visual language and deepen her exploration of space and water. 

In this latest series, Liv Valmestad explores the raw beauty of Newfoundland’s Atlantic coast, continuing her inquiry into Nature’s emotional and spatial presence. Influenced by the aesthetics of the Sublime, her paintings evoke both awe and unease, capturing the elemental force of coastal landscapes. 

Inspired by her residency at Bareneed Studios on the traditional territories of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit, Valmestad reflects on our deep ecological connection to place. Fishing nets appear as abstracted forms, symbolizing human impact and the enduring rhythms of coastal life. Guided by Deep Ecology, her work calls for reverence toward Nature and a renewed awareness of our place within it. 

Beyond her studio practice, Liv Valmestad currently serves as the second Canadian President of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA), a leading international organization representing over 1,000 art information professionals across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Founded in 1972, ARLIS/NA includes Canadian founding member Peter Anthony, then Head Librarian of the Architecture/Fine Arts Library at the University of Manitoba. 

Visitors of St John’s College are encouraged to stop by the Quiet Room to experience this powerful body of work. 

Dr. Melanie Dennis Unrau, co-editor of the anthology I’ll Get Right On It: Poems on Working Life in the Climate Crisis and Writer-in-Residence at UM’s Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, will lead a community poetry workshop exploring the theme of labour and vocation in the time of climate emergency. 

Participants will be guided through a series of readings, discussions, and creative prompts designed to spark their own writing. Unrau will share selections of poems that capture the tensions between work and climate change, offering inspiration and perspective as participants consider their own roles and responsibilities. 

This workshop is open to everyone, no prior poetry experience is needed. All that’s required is curiosity and a willingness to reflect.  

Event details:

Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: St. Matthew’s Anglican Church

Location: St John’s College Quad (between the Robert Schultz Theatre and St John’s Residence)
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Jumpstart provides an opportunity for students to connect with new and old faces, meet College Fellows and staff, and have fun while doing it! Guests will be treated to hamburgers from the Daily Bread Café, along with cotton candy and popcorn machines! The celebration will also feature carnival-style activities, including Jumbo Jenga, Jumbo Connect 4, Bean Bag Toss, Ladder Ball, Ring Toss, and a basketball arcade game.

Not a member yet? You can become a St John’s College member at any time before the event. Simply show your membership confirmation email at the check-in to be able to join in on the fun.

We look forward to seeing you all and celebrating our community together!  

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. 

She arrived in Winnipeg in August 2018 and began her post-secondary studies at the International College of Manitoba (ICM) before transferring to the University of Manitoba. Adjusting to life in a new country brought some surprises. “Growing up in a conservative country, it was surprising to see things like marijuana being legal or alcohol being allowed on campus,” Rihanah recalls.  

Even the everyday routines felt unfamiliar. Cooking meals from home often meant making trips to several stores for ingredients. Cultural norms around food, religion, and even parenting felt drastically different. “Back home, eating with utensils was considered fancy. Most people just ate with their hands,” she says. She also noted that being Muslim felt different here too. They way Islam is practiced and perceived in Canada doesn’t always match what she grew up with. 

Raihanah has lived in the St John’s College Residence for seven years and describes it as a key part of adjusting well in Canada. “Even though I’m living away from my parents, I don’t feel like a stranger here. The community is small, so you’re likely to walk past the same people often and make new friends.” 

Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Raihanah had to confront another reality of being Asian in Canada; discrimination. The rise in anti-Asian hate was unsettling. “I’d get long stares when people would walk past me, assuming I was Chinese,” she says. Strangers would ask offensive or ignorant questions like, “Do Chinese people really eat cats?” or “You’re Muslim, so where’s your hijab?” While initially uncomfortable, Raihanah now tries to ease the tension by responding with humor. 

When she’s missing home, attending events hosted by the now-combined Singaporean and Malaysian Student Association helps her feel at home and reconnected with her culture. 

To Raihanah, Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity within Asian communities. “Not all Asian cultures are the same,” she emphasizes. It was important to Raihanah that the different traditions and values were recognized as separate.  

Her advice for newcomers? Don’t isolate yourself. “Go out and make new friends. Even if you’re shy, show up to events, hang out in the dining hall, and eventually someone will come to talk to you. Staying home just makes you more homesick.” 

Like many newcomers to Canada, Rihanah’s adjustment wasn’t always easy. Many deal with the discomfort of culture shock, discrimination and hardship; however, many also find community. Sometimes it’s through communities that share your culture, and other times through those that simply offer support and care. At St John’s College, we strive to offer both. With our diverse community of residents, faculty and staff, we hope you’ll find your home away from home.

A proud Métis woman and Manitoba Métis Federation citizen, Chloe came to law school after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. She is currently working with a sole practitioner to provide free wills and estate services in Nunavut and will be spending her summer with the Legal Help Centre, continuing her focus on accessible justice. 

“While I am currently in my sixth year of University and did not become a member until my fifth year, I wish I would have been aware of these services earlier because I see how beneficial they are not only in academic success, but also in getting the most out of the entirety of your university experience.”

Although she didn’t attend any events herself, Chloe expressed appreciation for the College’s efforts in hosting social gatherings, like the Welcome Back BBQ and SJC Holiday Party, as well as various workshops. 

“Becoming a member of St John’s College has been extremely beneficial. It is extremely comforting knowing there are so many opportunities and support available, especially for students just starting their university journeys.” 

Chloe was also the recipient of the William E. Harrison Bursary, a source of support that she says made a significant difference in her law school experience. 

“The financial support helped eliminate some of the stress that comes with having to pay tuition and other academic expenses which enabled me to focus more on my studies and extracurriculars. I ended up having one of my best terms yet in law school.” 

The bursary also gave Chloe more time and space to focus on her mental health—something that’s often overlooked in rigorous programs. “I was able to spend more time with friends and family, which is an important aspect of maintaining an overall sense of well-being”. 

It’s never too late to become a St John’s College member 

Whether you’re in your first year of undergrad or well into graduate school, St John’s College welcomes students at any stage of their academic journey. Like Chloe, you can still experience the benefits of community, connection, and support—no matter when you join. 

• Register to become a member
• Explore scholarships and bursaries

Growing up in an unsafe environment shaped by historical and generational trauma, Angela faced adversity that could have easily derailed her dreams. She later experienced a health care crisis and a violent assault—both stemming from institutional systems that have long dehumanized Indigenous Peoples. Rather than let these experiences hold her back, Angela found purpose in them. 

Angela shared with the Canadian Nurses Foundation, “I set my sights on nursing school and challenged myself to learn what it takes to make fundamental changes that will elevate the lives of Indigenous people out of the toxic stress, and destructive physical impacts of Colonial trauma and violence, thus relieving many from chronic diseases.” 

At St John’s College, Angela found her safe space while pursuing her dreams of becoming a Nurse. 

“SJC provided a place of community and acceptance for me. Regardless of background, I often found gentle spirits with welcoming smiles. It was a safe place to join other students who were also degree-driven and striving to better ourselves and our communities.” 

The support from St John’s College became even more critical during challenging moments. When experiencing lateral violence during one school year, Angela found refuge in an SJC study carrel. “It became my safe haven and helped ensure my grades didn’t slip from the added stress.” 

Through it all, Angela remained a serious, committed student. But it was the approachability and accessibility of SJC’s support staff that helped her push through the most difficult times. Daily Bread Café, she recalls, became a comforting place to recharge during summer research at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation or between classes. “SJC took care of its students by providing a discount at Daily Bread,” she adds with appreciation. 

Angela was also a recipient of the Alfred H. Shephard Bursary, which played a pivotal role in helping her balance school, life, and motherhood. 

“I did my senior practicum in isolated communities up north. I couldn’t come home for three months. The bursary allowed me to afford expensive groceries, access streaming services since outdoor activities were unsafe, and take care of my financial responsibilities back home where my young adult son lived. It relieved financial stress, so I could focus on meeting my degree requirements.” 

But perhaps the most lasting impact was the way SJC helped Angela see her own value. 

“Being a SJC member and scholarship recipient helped me to see my worth and value as a student and human being,” she says. “Growing up, I did not have a support network. I lacked confidence growing up—I had to be strong which can be isolating. But at SJC, I was around people who were also doing good work and supporting one another. It felt really good to fit in.” 

Today, Angela stands as a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of community. 

“SJC helped me to believe I was good enough to deserve good things like my Nursing degree. My goals, hopes, and dreams are coming to fruition”  

Want to follow in Angela’s footsteps? 

• St John’s College Scholarships are now open! Applications are due June 1st. Learn more and apply here. 

• Become a St John’s College member 

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.