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!

The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources student studying for his master’s in microbiology felt isolated when he arrived in Canada. He did not know what to expect but was excited to get started. 

“When I first arrived in Canada, I felt alone. I didn’t have any friends or know where to go on campus; I was just trying to figure out my way.” 

Since arriving in Canada in September 2023, Rei Shibue has stayed in St John’s residence, where he’s been able to be close to his classes and build friendships that have helped him find his home away from home.

“For the first while in the residence, I kept to myself. I didn’t talk much, ate alone in the dining room, and attended classes. Over the last year, though, that’s changed significantly.”

As Rei continues his studies in microbiology, where he is investigating microbes in the Arctic Ocean, he also finds his community in St John’s residence at monthly events and has become a residence don on the student support team.

“Attending events and getting involved in the residence has helped me meet some of my closest friends.”

“It’s the community I needed outside of class to feel like I’m home.” 

Looking to make a difference in the residence, Rei knew he wanted to get involved on the dons team to help students navigate the problems he once faced when coming to Canada.

“Being a don allows me to continue building relationships in the residence while giving back to the community and the students here.” 

As the dons prepare to welcome more new students into the residence in Winter 2025, Rei has found being a resident to be rewarding and fulfilling in more ways than he could imagine.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this team and community, which has given me so much.”

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

To submit your application for Winter 2025 accommodations, contact our Dean of Residence.

From needing a place to study, meet new people, or have somewhere to go on campus, SJC is a small community that helps students succeed at UM.

The benefits students receive for the $10 membership include the following:

Eligibility for scholarships and bursaries

As part of being a member of St John’s College, students will become eligible to apply for SJC scholarships and bursaries, which offer approximately $200,000 worth of awards. Our scholarships are available each year and are open to all UM students of all faculties, including opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Learn more about our scholarship opportunities on our website.

Study carrels and library

Our study carrels on the first floor and library on the third floor of SJC provide students with a space to focus, house their school items, and have a dedicated place to study for the academic year.

Applications for study carrels can be found on our website.

Food discounts at the Daily Bread Cafe

From a quick snack, grab-and-go sandwich, or study session with friends, the Daily Bread Cafe and Soup4U are places where students can catch up over a delicious meal. Students will receive 10% off all purchases as part of the college membership.

View the Daily Bread Cafe and Soup4U menus for the fall semester.

Monthly student-led events by SJCSA

Every month, our student association organizes events for students to gather, get to know each other and enjoy games and activities together. Take it from our students when they say they found their place on campus. St John’s College is here to support students throughout their academic journey in every way we can.

“St John’s has provided me with a community to meet new friends and a place to belong. I can come here, visit the student lounge, study, and know I have a place to go outside class.”

Sign up for your college student membership on our website. Visit the General Office at 214 SJC to pick up your sticker for your ID card.

The postdoctoral student is currently conducting a two-year project studying metal(loid) sequestration by soil mineral-organic matter associations. His interest is understanding how to stabilize metal(loid) and carbon in the soil environment under global climate change, with a specific focus on the interaction between contaminated soils in Cobalt, Ontario, and Trail, British Columbia. 

Upon moving into St John’s residence nearly nine months ago, Xinyang was excited about this new journey, which has opened him up to new experiences and friendships along the way. His supervisor referred him to the residence, and Xinyang shares his experience about the welcoming environment he felt upon arrival.

“I felt the friendliness of the residents the moment I walked in. It’s a diverse culture. I love it here; it’s comfortable.”

With the friendly atmosphere and a short walk to everything on campus, Xinyang benefits from the flexibility the residence provides, allowing him to balance his studies, work, and personal life.

“Staying in residence, a short walk to my office and around campus, provides me flexibility. I can eat and study all in the same place while enjoying the community around me, which has allowed me to relieve the research pressure.”

As Xinyang continues working on his post-doctoral studies, he hopes to continue challenging himself through deepening his research in global environmental issues.

To learn more about the benefits of staying in St John’s residence, visit our website.

Fall 2024 applications are open; apply today.

We recently spoke with Tawana, who has lived at St John’s since 2019, serving as a Senior Don (RA) since Fall 2022. She moved from Zimbabwe to study psychology and learned about the residence through people from her program. In our conversation, Tawana recounted how from the moment she walked into the residence for the first time, she knew it felt like home. Tawana is one of several students who lived at St John’s during the ups and downs of the pandemic: navigating virtual classes, quarantines, and lockdown restrictions, and helping keep fellow residents safe as part of her role as Senior Don, all the while building close friendships that will last a lifetime.  

Brothers Bryan and Neil have likewise lived at St John’s through the pandemic, with Bryan having called St John’s College home for the past three years and Neil joining him in Winnipeg in January 2022. Coming from a small Ghanaian community, these two weren’t sure what to expect when they moved to Canada; however, it didn’t take long for both to jump headfirst into College culture by attending sporting events, getting involved in Residence and Student Councils, applying for scholarships and bursaries, volunteering to enhance their professional development, and enjoying delicious food.  

Speaking of delicious food and events, here are a variety of benefits residence students get as part of life at St John’s:  

• Single occupancy rooms where students can have their privacy and room wifi. 
• Our comprehensive all-you-care-to-eat meal plan offering 19 meals per week including halal meal plan. 
• Access to residence common rooms including our TV lounge and games room. 
• Access to scholarships and bursaries available only to College members. 
• Academic support, including advisory help and access to a dedicated residence study lounge.    
• 24-hour access to the College campus, including after-hours access to classrooms and meeting rooms for studying or working on group projects.   
• 24/7/365 interpersonal support and referral from a committed team of Dons.   

If you are looking for a place to call home as you study at the University of Manitoba this fall, apply now to St John’s residence. 

“My hands were so sweaty,” says Venegas. “You have no idea how shy I was.”

Venegas, the instructor of the Recreation Services’ bachata class, moved to Mexico City to learn more formally about the bachata style of dance and its cultural history. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Venegas says he grew up surrounded by various Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Antillean rhythms at family gatherings and parties and has been dancing all his life.

“My house in Mexico is two hours away from the beach, so I have been exposed to tropical music and dance since I was born,” says Venegas. “I have always taken dance as a way to express my Latino identity.”

Venegas says bachata is a Latin-American social dance, and while his class at UM will teach the basics, its main focus is helping students find their personal style.

“I’m teaching improvisation because life doesn’t have a recipe,” says Venegas. “This class is for students to feel confidence in their bodies and express themselves in a more personalized style.”

Venegas says his confidence from dance has brought him a long way, both in overcoming his shyness and by distance. After travelling to Mexico City in 2017, he came to Winnipeg in 2022 to pursue his master’s in nuclear physics in the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy. He says without his connection to his cultural history through bachata and dance, he wouldn’t have been able to make the move to Canada.

“I love the people and everything in this country,” said Venegas. “But if I had become disconnected from my roots, which are my music and lyrics and the way they help me express myself, I don’t think I would’ve been able to come here.”

The bachata class will have a free class on Thursday, May 2, as part of Recreation Services’ Free Trial Week, which runs from April 29 to May 3. Registration for regular classes, which begin on May 9, is now open.

Jasmine spent a year in an Indigenous military program in Ontario. Upon completing her program and getting accepted to the University of Manitoba, an advisor at the Indigenous Student Centre on campus recommended to Jasmine to live in St. John’s Residence in her preparation for first year.

“The Residence welcomed me with open arms, and it has given me the space and support to realize and evolve into the person I want to become while also letting me focus on my studies in a way I wouldn’t be able to if I lived off-campus.”

St John’s Residence became a home to Jasmine, and over the course of her undergraduate degree she has stayed.

“The staff and community have allowed me to feel safe and secure with a sense of home away from home. I have gained a lot of self-confidence and learned a lot about myself in my time living in St. John’s Residence.”

Now in her fifth year as an Indigenous Studies major, Jasmine looks to graduate next spring with aspirations of making a difference with contributions to Indigenous voices, rights, and education. 

“I want to use my studies to help boost Indigenous people up, create more opportunities, and make a difference for Indigenous success. I know I’m an ambitious person who wants many things, but I can’t help but want to achieve them all with the education I’m learning.”

Jasmine looks forward to seeing her aspirations realized with her post-secondary education. She hopes that with all her endeavors and efforts that she will be able to meaningfully give back to the communities that she has been a part of, including but not limited to the youth, students coming into St. John’s Residence, and her community up north.

To learn more about the residence and its benefits, visit our website. 

We caught up with Dean of Residence, Matthew Bowman, as the college looks to fill available rooms with January 2024 and Summer 2024 students looking for accommodation.    

“The college residence is a unique place in that we house students from many different countries who all have different life experiences. When they move into the college, they feel welcomed because of the other international and domestic students in the residence and how friendly the community is here.” 

In discussing the college experience with Matthew, it was evident that the residence was a place that supported students and wanted everyone to feel at home. With the 24-hour support through Matthew and the Don’s Program, students can feel safe and secure in the college residence while having a place to succeed in their studies.    

In our conversation with Matthew, he gave us insight into the college experience.   

“The Dons welcome students in on move-in day when they arrive at the residence. They help students get comfortable, show them around the residence, introduce them to the staff and other students who quickly become friends, set up their room with them, and then take them on a UM tour of campus. Following the tours and once students get comfortable, the Dons also educate new residence students about the opportunities that are available at the university for them regarding employment, student councils, and resources they can use.”   

As Matthew points out, the community of the residence begins on move-in day with the Dons. This Don’s Program is the face of the residence for college students, which is made up of five students who oversee the college after hours, help run resident events and keep things running smoothly in the residence. It is also used as a 24 hour student support team for students living in residence.   

It’s apparent in our conversation with Matthew that what students enjoy about residence is more than just receiving an education; it’s about building friendships for a lifetime.    

Apply to the St John’s college residence today!    

Click here for details, benefits, and general information about the residence.    

While it’s completely normal to feel nervous about an exam, you don’t want nerves to steer you off-track in the weeks leading up to final exams.

Cue cards, practice exams, flow charts and diagrams all have a time and place when preparing for exams, but have you considered connecting with your peers? There’s no one who understands writing exams better than your upper-year peers who have conquered exam week multiple times.

Reach out to a Peer Helper! Comprised of third, fourth and fifth year UM students, our Peer Helpers are here to assist when it comes to exams and prep. They know tips and tricks to find the confidence within yourself and keep anxiety at bay. They can also assist by directing you toward professional supports and resources, such as the Student Counselling Centre. Meeting with your peers doesn’t have to be strictly about academics! Take the time to destress and chat about life.

Peer Helpers are a group of UM students who are available to meet with any student currently enrolled in a program at UM. Our Peer Helpers are a non-judgmental ear and source of support. You can reach out about anything from exam challenges to feeling lonely throughout the pandemic. Peer Helpers are here to listen and share their experiences and knowledge with you.

Peer Helpers are available for casual, commitment free meetings. You can book a one-time appointment or make several appointments. There is no cost to make an appointment and speak with a Peer Helper.

Appointments are available through our online booking form. Peer Helper bios are also available on our website.

“To me the Emerging Leader Award is recognition of my contributions to UM and my community,” said Brigham. “The process of applying for the award gave me an opportunity to reflect on the skills and experiences I gained as a student. Receiving the award helped me recognize my own leadership style and reflect on my leadership experiences.”

The award didn’t signify an end to Brigham’s leadership involvement, rather it ignited the realization of her leadership potential.

Determined to make a difference in the community by embracing change and making connections, Brigham has actively participated as part of the Orientation team for the past three years. Continuously adapting to unexpected challenges brought on by the pandemic, she has recently taken on a Programs Assistant position within the Student Life office, facilitating both in person and online events.

“The biggest thing I discovered about my leadership development is there is no one-size-fits-all leader,” noted Brigham. “My leadership style is very different from the style I envisioned leaders needed to have.”

Brigham realized through event planning, training volunteers and facilitating virtual event sessions that regardless of your leadership involvement or development, as a leader, you are constantly evolving and learning.

“For any UM student who is considering applying for this award, I would say the Emerging Leader Award is for everyone,” said Brigham. “No matter what stage you are in in your leadership development, this award recognizes people by the quality, not quantity, of leadership. Reach out to family, friends and colleges who know you best to better understand the impacts you’ve made within your community.”

The application deadline for the Emerging Leader Award is April 8 at 4:30pm.

For more information on the Emerging Leader Award, please visit the website. Any additional questions about the award can be directed to emerging.leaders@umanitoba.ca.