“When I came here as a permanent resident with my wife and children, I was looking for a new challenge and opportunity,” he says.

A new academic challenge

He had started working towards achieving his practicing license with the National Committee on Accreditation and had written one exam for administrative law and was looking for a new academic challenge, and was considering the future possibility of becoming a professor of law at a Canadian University. An LLM would be a starting point, he thought.

His thesis title was “Mediation practice in Nigeria: experiences from Abuja and Ondo with lessons from Ontario, Canada”, completed with Professor Darcy MacPherson of the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law as his advisor.

Ayita completed his LLB in 2015 at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. While there, he received the Presidential Award as the best graduating student in Commercial Law, as well as the Attorney General of the Federation Award in the same subject during the 2015 convocation. He also won the National Essay Competition on the topic “Nigeria at 50, the past, the present and the future,” funded by Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank), which was – significantly, how he obtained his first laptop. Additionally, he was the first runner-up in the continental essay competition titled “The Immorality of Self-Interest [The Morality or otherwise of Capitalism],” organized by African Liberty and IMANI in 2011.

He concluded his legal practice training at The Nigerian Law School in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria in 2016. As a next step, he obtained a certificate in Arbitration at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, UK in 2017 and then received certification in conflict and dispute resolution at the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolutions in 2021. He further earned a certificate in Conflict Management Skills at the University of Toronto (2022) followed by certification in Reconciliation and Restoration at Forgiving For Restoring Canada. At this time in 2023, he completed some of the requirements of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to pass his Bachelor of Laws Equivalency Examination and then commenced the Master of Laws program at the University of Manitoba in 2023.

Having practiced law in Nigeria and studied mediation and alternative dispute resolution both there and in Canada, Ayita found it impossible to ignore his calling to further his education and deepen his studies in law.

UM’s policies of accommodation and inclusion attractive

He was drawn to the University of Manitoba for his LLM having researched Canadian universities and learned that UM “has been established for more than a century and has produced a lot of policymakers,” as well as “those who are also at the forefront of access to justice in Canada as well as in the global community.” Additionally, he notes that UM’s policies of accommodation and inclusion were another thing that attracted him.

“I landed in Canada October 26, 2022,” he says, “so it’s like less than a month that I came in and about approximately a month that I applied to the school, so I was just trying to settle down.”

Teaching law someday was on his mind when he made the decision to apply for the LLM program. “Most of what I’ve been doing – about 80% of what I’ve done all my life has been the issue of building capacity teaching and imparting knowledge. And now I really want to do that. One of the motivations [to do the LLM] is to become a professor and to also influence policies in the area of access to justice, because access to justice is an ongoing crusade.”

Engaging in community

Beyond legal studies, volunteering in community is important to Ayita. During his time as a Master of Laws student, he served as a volunteer facilitator with the Speaker Bureau for the Centre for Human Rights Research at the University of Manitoba for a year. He also served as class president for the LLM program from September 2023 to May 2025. He participated in the Community Venture/Salvation Army fundraising event in December of 2024 and took part in the university’s community seed planting initiative. Even before arriving in Canada, he volunteered as national coordinator for AFSEN (Alliance for Sustainable Environment Nigeria), focusing on environmental protection and sanitation. There, he led a team in sanitation activities, planted new trees, and educated teenagers on water use and waste disposal.

Speaking from his experience working as Director of Training and Development at the Mediation Training Institute in Nigeria and as a lawyer and conflict coach, he says, “Everybody wants to access justice in all facets of humanity such as divorce and in all your legal needs. You want justice to be served, and I believe going into this program will assist me to be able to have that proper foundation through research and development.”

Having knowledge and research skills to influence government policy is also in his sights. “I look forward to one day becoming a professor in any of the universities in Canada,” he says, “and also be able to influence policy in the decision-making in government.”

Focus on what matters

Ayita has observed, that policy and decision-makers tend to focus on exciting topics such as crime, which tend to get the most media hits. He speaks passionately about what is not getting enough attention when it comes to access to justice: “You don’t want to focus on housing, on the issue of environment, on things that are dear to people like family, but these are the areas that are most needed and people are yearning for access to justice.”

His thesis delves into how the tools of mediation may be used to achieve access to justice. Most of the challenges to access to justice when pursuing a path of litigation, he notes, include delay in proceedings, costs and the complexities of court procedures. Costs are both implicit and explicit, not to mention the psychological cost of litigation. “You realize that all these are not the same when parties have to go through the route of mediation,” he observes.

[G]oing through mediation, they realize that there are no more enemies but they want to work together to see how the parties involved can reach a truce that will most accommodate their differences that also align their interests.
– Oluwafisayo Stephen Ayita [LLM/25]

Mediation, he says, enables parties to overcome the many challenges that form barriers to access to justice including delay and procedural complexity. “It also helps the party to retain what is most important to them. We have realized because the process has been regarded as a kind of legal combat, where parties duel to death, that going through mediation, they realize that there are no more enemies but they want to work together to see how the parties involved can reach a truce that will most accommodate their differences that also align their interests.”

A highly recommended course of study

During his time at Robson Hall, Ayita has worked with instructors, faculty and staff including Natasha Brown [BEd/01; LLB/05], Director of Access to Justice and Community Engagement, and Dr. Michelle Gallant, who also works in conflict resolution. Dr. Donn Short, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law, taught the mandatory graduate seminar for the LLM program, which teaches how to write a thesis and fundamental research skills. “The graduate seminar has been quite helpful,” said Ayita, who took it in his first term of the program. At the time, he explained, each student undertook four assignments related to their thesis including an annotated bibliography to teach them how to identify the sources they would be using for their main thesis. “The research seminar has helped me in particular and I believe it also has helped my colleagues to be able to bring together our aspirations.”

“All these have enabled me to be able to now understand how to carry out research as well as how I can use that to improve on my main thesis, such as this search format, the McGill Research format, the sources, how to write, and notes to include when you are paraphrasing, restate, quote, you know, then when you’re also making your own statement.

So the research seminar has helped me to be able to understand how to be able to go through the authorized format and avoid academic misconduct and fraud. It also has been able to [ensure] that all my work will be genuine. That’s very, very useful.”

Ayita recommends taking an LLM to anyone wanting an academic challenge and looking to deepen their knowledge of the law, “I have been encouraging people,” he said, calling Robson Hall one of the best law faculties in Canada whenever he mentions to people that he is studying here. “I’m proud to be here,” he said.

Ayita’s pursuit of academic challenges is not over yet. In September, he will be a member of UM’s first cohort of Internationally Trained Lawyers and will be taking one of the two Micro-Diplomas now offered in Canadian Private or Canadian Public Law, designed to help such lawyers qualify to practice law in Canada. Then, he will be fully able to practice law in Canada.

Learn more about UM’s LLM program.

Learn more about UM’s Internationally Trained Lawyer program.

The 2022/23 Honorary Degree Recipients that we recognized included The Honourable Patricia Bovey, who received the Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa), Brian Bowman, who also received the Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa), Vincent Solomon, who received an Honorary Fellowship, and Brenda Cantelo, who received the Fellow’s Recognition Award.  

Each of these recipients has left their impact on the College and University community over the years, whether serving in office as Mayor, being a member of the University of Manitoba Board of Governors, or serving in the Senate of Canada. In recognizing each of these individuals, one thing they all have in common is their connection and the feeling of community they have at the College.   

In honoring these recipients, we enjoyed catching up with Patricia, Brian, and Brenda to discuss what these recognitions mean and what the College has meant to them.   

Patricia Bovey   

Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa)   

 The Honourable Patricia Bovey is no stranger to the University of Manitoba after serving nine years on the Board of Governors. Patricia got involved with St John’s when her first husband was a member of the college council and it progressed from there. Recognizing the importance of the College’s art collection, Patricia used her internationally recognized expertise in the art world to highlight several of the more significant pieces at an event held for college alum. Over the course of Patricia’s career, she has had multiple books published by the University of Manitoba Press (located on the third floor of St John’s College), including one released in 2019 about the works of Don Proch who previously received the Doctor of Canon Law from St John’s College.  

In receiving the Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa), Patricia was touched and overwhelmed by this recognition and the acknowledgment of her achievements by St John’s college.  

“Winnipeg is my home base and means a great deal to me. To be recognized in the city where I was born and raised, this award is very personal. It was a meaningful day to be recognized and share it with Brian Bowman, who I’ve connected with over the years, and Don Proch, who was on stage whom I also read my citation for.”   

Patricia will speak at the School of Art later this month.  

Brian Bowman   

Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa)   

After serving as Winnipeg’s Mayor for eight years, Dr. Brian Bowman was also awarded the Doctor of Canon Law (honoris causa). Before politics, Brian attended the University of Manitoba and was a member of St John’s College, where he found a sense of belonging, and adopted a strong work ethic, and drive to succeed. Utilizing the study carrels at the College to study for his LSAT and learning how to study effectively, Dr. Bowman found the College instrumental in building his career and allowing him to succeed during his time in office. 

“When I became Mayor, my goal was to make City Hall more inclusive. In doing this, I remembered the sense of inclusivity I felt at the College.”  

While enjoying the supportive environment of the college, Brian met his now wife Tracy Bowman, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, who was also at St John’s where they had a study carrels next to each other. As Brian notes, “Tracy elevated my game” when it came to studying and establishing a commitment to academic excellence.  

Reflecting on his time at St John’s College and continuing his next chapter at Canada Life as the VP in Sustainability and Social Impact, Brian is humbled by this Doctor of Canon Law recognition.   

“I’m at a loss for words, truly humbled by this recognition. The College is a warm and inclusive environment for me. It’s where I worked hard to get my marks up in the study carrels, built skills on how to learn effectively, and was motivated by my wife Tracy, whom I had a carrel beside at the College. The first award I won was a World Religion Award from the College approximately 30 years ago. The award wasn’t just any award; it was the first time receiving an award of this kind that meant a lot to me in helping me be more inclusive with my work.” 

Vincent Solomon  

Honorary Fellowship 

Vince has played a critical role in reconciliation facilitating workshops and courses on indigenous awareness amongst other impactful teachings Vince has done. Born in 1964 in Norway House Cree Nation and moving to Winnipeg in 1987, Vince is an Anglican Priest who has had a deep impact on St John’s College as an educator especially in 2019 and 2020.  

Vince has given so much to his church, St John’s and the wider community. He has written and spoken on Gospel-based apology, reconciliation, and Indigenous self-determination within the Anglican Church. He has also served on the board of Circles for Reconciliation and has worked for the Mennonite Central Committee as coordinator of Indigenous Neighbors program. 

St John’s College, the Diocese of Rupert’s land, the Manitoba Mennonite Central Committee, countless organizations, and of course his parishioners are all very blessed by Vince’s gift of teaching, storytelling, and caring.  

Brenda Cantelo   

Fellow’s Recognition Award   

 The final recipient we recognized on November 5th was Brenda Cantelo. Brenda started at the College in 1998 as a Junior Fellow, where she immediately felt at home. To her, and many of our Fellows, the College has a distinctive feel, making it stand apart from other places at the University. She’s enjoyed being part of committees, participating in the governance of the College, and getting to know other academics from all areas.  

“It is rewarding to have been remembered profoundly and meaningfully by one’s Fellows. Sometimes, amidst all the hard work and “busyness “of the term, one doesn’t see the outcomes immediately, so to know that these achievements are reverberating in the thoughts of one’s colleagues is heartwarming. And to hear them expressed in such a thoughtful and gracious manner made for a memorable day.

Continuing with her research in Religion, Brenda plans to expand her academic interests in the future, which will include travels to Mexico and Spain. 

On behalf of St John’s College, congratulations to this year’s honorary degree and fellowship recipients.    

Students become members by signing up in Aurora; you can find more information here.   

In awarding these scholarships to students, the college community will gather on November 5th, including graduating students, alumni, and honorary guests, notably former Mayor Brian Bowman, who will be recognized at our annual convocation.    

Kicking off the day on November 5th will be the Founder’s Day service, where the college will recognize past college members honoring those who are no longer with us. Following this service, the celebrations will continue as the college welcomes alumni into the Robert Schultz Galleria for a luncheon recognizing alumni of 25, 40, 50, and 60 years with a special college gift.    

Following a morning of conversation and delicious food, the formal convocation will begin where the following individuals will be recognized:   

• 2022/23 Scholarship and Bursary Award Winners    
• Brian Bowman – Doctor of Canon Law – Honorary Degree    
• Senator Patricia Bovey – Doctor of Canon Law – Honorary Degree    
• Vincent Soloman – Honorary Fellowship    
• Dr. Brenda Cantelo – Retired Fellow – Fellows Recognition Award 

The college looks forward to celebrating the success of our students, fellows, and alumni on November 5th in the Robert Schultz Galleria and St John’s college chapel. 

Read more about our scholarship and bursary opportunities for UM students. 

Congratulations to the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021!

The entire University of Manitoba community is delighted to celebrate you and your UM graduation in person – and the time for that long-awaited celebration is now here!

UM’s 2020 and 2021 Convocation Celebration on March 11, 2023 at the RBC Convention Centre will include formal convocation regalia (cap and gown), crossing the stage, hearing your name called, special speakers, a post-ceremony reception and more.

Watch our social media channels for live coverage on March 11.

Ahead of the celebration, you can catch up with some of our 2020 and 2021 grads at the links below:

• Sandy Deng [BSW/20] 
• Mackenzie Booker [BA(Geog)/19, Dip.Agric/21] 
• Braden Ganetsky [BSc(ME)/21] 
• Pete Giesbrecht [DipAgric/20] 
• Dana Malenko [BMus(MusEd)/20, BEd/22] 

In 2020, 5,625 UM grads celebrated Convocation safely at home. While it was not the graduation experience that many dream of, virtual convocation does provide the unique opportunity to share the experience with family and friends across the country, and around the world.

Further details will be shared with grads regarding how to best take advantage of the new event platform, and have the best virtual Convocation experience possible. Keep in mind that once it is safe to do so, all graduates will be invited back to UM to have an in-person Convocation experience.

Karine Martel, Master of Arts, Native Studies 

Growing up, Karine Martel always knew she was Métis but was not always able to define her background was because she was always in her small community, surrounded by other similar people with tight-knit families.

She explains: “It was not until I left to go to University in North Carolina that I really came to be able to define what was unique about my experiences and my identity as a Métis woman. I became involved in Indigenous groups there and was always very passionate about explaining my own perception of Métis identity and Métis history to my peers.”

Martel did her undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in political science and American Indian and Indigenous studies. She came back to UM for the Master’s program for her second year was living in the community of God’s Lake Narrows, writing her thesis remotely there. 

She says that UM afforded her opportunities for growth that greatly impacted her career: “My best memory of attending UM was getting to present my research topic at the Native Studies Colloquium. From the start, my family inspired my research; I wanted to learn more about the Daniels v. Canada case [a Supreme Court of Canada landmark ruling that found Métis and non-status Indians are ‘Indians’ for the purpose of section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867] and how it impacted my family, so getting to present that in front of my family in an academic setting brought it all full circle for me.”

Martel adds: “It was also a good reminder of how academia and the community must work together, and as scholars engaged in Indigenous research, we must ultimately serve the communities.”

Ashlyn Scott, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Animal Systems

Vincent Massey grad Ashlyn Scott has always been passionate about farming and sustainability since she was young, and always had a love for animals. Graduating this fall from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, her career aspirations include the opportunity to teach younger generations about agriculture.

“I would like for future generations to have a better understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from as many people have become disconnected from the agriculture industry,” Scott explains.

Scott is already working at a major Manitoba based producer as part of its research and development team. She says it fuels her passion for research and learning while improving production efficiencies within the animal ag industry.

Scott’s advice for future students or those just now entering university is simple: “Take your time.”

She says: “Whether you’re in a two-year diploma program or a program that requires four or more years of specialized schooling, I’d suggest to take time to find your passion. Take your time to learn the material, find a pace that works for you and allows you to enjoy your university experience to its fullest, and take your time in classes and make friends with professors and fellow students.”

Matthew Moore, Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Civil

Born in Alberta but raised in Ontario, Matthew Moore says he decided to study at UM mostly because of the ENGAP program for Indigenous engineering students, something very uncommon in Canadian postsecondary education.

“ENGAP helped me immensely with the sense of community that exists in the program,” he says.

From a young age, Moore had aspirations to become a civil engineer.

He explains: “I have been aware of the numerous infrastructure deficiencies that many Canadians face, especially those in more rural areas or on Indigenous reserves. Combine this with the effects of climate change that will continue to worsen over the next few decades, and there is a large demand for civil engineers to build and update infrastructure that is resilient to these changes.”

Following graduation this month, Moore plans to complete graduate studies here then gain experience and learn on-the-job skills at a company in his field.

He says: “I hope to use the experience I gain to earn my professional engineer designation (P.Eng) in order to make positive impacts on the communities and individuals with whom I am working.”

Moore adds: “I hope I can be able to make a positive impact in some way to the people and communities that I am involved with, using the knowledge and credentials I acquired at the University of Manitoba.”

Katherine Davis, Asper MBA

Please don’t ask Katherine Davis about where she finds her passion.

She finds the question itself difficult to answer.

“I am multi-passionate,” she explains, “so it’s not an easy answer to provide. I am passionate about interdisciplinary studies because I believe there are many ways to approach problems. I am passionate about learning how individuals and organizations change. And I am passionate about Reconciliation and finding ways that we can move forward to bring about social change.”

Davis completed her Bachelor of Arts Advanced degree in Global Political Economy in 2011 and is now graduating with her Asper MBA. Multitalented and a high achiever, she has received a number of scholarships and awards, including the RBC Award in Indigenous Business Education, the Whiting Indigenous MBA Scholarship, the Asper MBA scholarship, and the Schwartz/Reisman Scholarship.

She says one of her best learning experiences in Asper was being a part of the President’s Student Leadership Program: “I loved this year-long program because I got to meet so many business and community leaders from across the province, many of whom I continue to be in contact with. I have formed many forever connections and I continue to be inspired to do better.”

Among those who inspired and supported her, Davis names two faculty members in particular.

“Peter Pomart, director of the Indigenous Business Education Partners program has guided me along the path of reclaiming my Métis identity,” she says. “He was both a classmate and mentor, and always has had a different perspective that made me reflect on the deeper meaning of an issue. He has a great ability to be candid and open, and truly sees the potential in each IBEP student.”

Davis also praises the work of Dr. Suzanne Gagnon, Canada Life Chair in Leadership Education, director of the James W. Burns Leadership Institute, and a member of Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Manitoba.

“Herself passionate about leadership, Suzanne was integral to my last year of the MBA program,” Davis notes. “She helped me see my potential as a leader, instilling in me much more confidence.”

Davis currently works in change management at UM and says her job aligns very well with her passion, values and skills.

“This world is changing quickly and it needs you to be part of that change. Aligning with your passion and values is more important that sticking to a linear path,” she says.

Furthermore, her advice for students training to be new leaders flows directly from her experience at UM: “Be curious and continually seek out opportunities to continue learning.  Start taking action before you know the exact path, set high standards for yourself and be open to the many different possibilities of how you can achieve your outcome.”

She adds: “If your heart is beating quickly and you are nervous to speak up­­­—speak up anyway. Practice using your voice, because you will get so much more out of your learning by engaging in discussion.”

“I hope I can empower individuals to see their potential for change and support them to act in alignment with that potential.”

Alexander Hammond, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Aerospace Program Management, Extended Education 

Alexander Hammond first graduated from UM in 2010 from the Faculty of Engineering mechanical engineering program, with the aerospace option. He was quickly hired with Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg, settled down, and started a family.

As an engineer and deputy project manager with Magellan, he was encouraged to continue advancing in his field and the company sponsored his return to UM in pursuit of a post baccalaureate certificate in aerospace program management and a cumulative GPA of 4.3.

Hammond explains: “Ever since I went to an airshow as a toddler, I have loved everything about flight; the aerospace industry was not only an instant fit, but was also technically challenging. After a decade in the field, I have learned that the challenges are not only technical and that success in today’s world requires a concerted effort from all areas of expertise. I discovered the central role that program management plays in coordinating that effort, and I was drawn to both its multi-disciplinary nature as well as the fresh set of challenges it presents.”

He admits, however, that without encouragement from his family and coworkers, he would not have been able to achieve his goal.

He says: “I owe a great deal to my wife, Janelle. As I continued to work full-time, my schooling consumed many evenings and weekends. Not only did she take on a heavier parenting load, her support and encouragement kept me going. The instructors in my program were all highly experienced and brought a wealth of industry knowledge to complement my studies. Their input and guidance was greatly appreciated, as was the support of my employer and sponsor, Magellan Aerospace.’

Hammond adds: “Thank you all for believing in me.”

Don’t forget to check our UM Student Instagram to learn more about some of the students graduating on October 22. You can also join the ‘Convocation conversation’ on social media by following #umanitoba2020.

You will have received an email to your UM email address, that’s where you start.

Step 1:
Check your UM email, click the link and create your password.

Step 2:
Log in and formally register to participate in the Convocation ceremony. 

Step 3: (includes the following 3 tasks)

• Upload your photo
• Type in your personal message (Max. 150 character celebratory message – about your future, what your degree means to you, or thank someone who helped make this day possible for you. Avoid acronyms or any derogatory statements towards another person, people, or place – which will be removed.) 
• Record the pronunciation of your name, to be read aloud during the ceremony

Key Deadline:

Sunday, October 11 – 11:59 pm CST: Final deadline to upload your photo and message to be included in the ceremony procession

Don’t forget, your login information is unique to you, so you’ll have to check your email.  If you have any questions about this process, please contact convocation2020@umanitoba.ca.

“Convocation is such a pivotal and meaningful celebration in a student’s life,” says President and Vice-Chancellor, Michael Benarroch. “I am so grateful that we can come together virtually to honour our graduates’ hard work. I hope that all of our graduates can share this event with their friends and families across Manitoba and the world, and take the time to acknowledge those hard-earned accomplishments. When the time is right, I look forward to us all being able to come together at an in-person celebration.”

Graduating students can find information on how to participate in the Virtual Convocation here. Grads will have the opportunity to include a photo and personal message on their graduation slide, which will be viewed during the ceremony when the degrees are conferred.  

As soon as it is safe to do so, we will invite the class of 2020 to have the in-person experience that they have worked so hard for.

Convocation for all degrees and diplomas will begin at 5pm, and at 7pm for Extended Education: Certificate Programs.

For more information, please contact convocation2020 [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

Join the celebration!  Please use the hashtag #umanitoba2020 on Twitter and Instagram.

Congratulations graduates! During the live-streamed virtual event you will be conferred as a slide with your photo and a personal message comes across the screen. 

You will have received an email from convocation2020@umanitoba.ca on Tuesday, May 26 with a unique link to your virtual convocation account. Once you’ve created a password you can begin the registration process. 

For those of you concerned about the pronunciation of your name, you have until June 8 at 7 p.m. to go online, log in and  record your pronunciation for our online emcee to read during the ceremony.  

Otherwise, you have until June 18 at 9:00 p.m. to log into the system to upload your photo and personal message to be displayed during the ceremony.

If you have any questions or concerns while completing the registration form, please email convocation2020@umanitoba.ca.

Here are a few helpful tips to log in and create your slide for the virtual ceremony:

1. Confirm your full name appears under Graduate Information.
2. Upload your photo. A headshot photograph or grad photo is recommended. Note: the accepted file types are .jpg or .png, with a maximum size of 5MB.
3. Share a personal message, which will appear on your slide during the ceremony. Note: the maximum character count for your slide is 150 characters. Remember this is a formal ceremony, slides will be reviewed for inappropriate language.
4. Phonetics – type your name phonetically the way it should be pronounced by the emcee during the ceremony. You will also have the opportunity to record your name over the phone.

Don’t forget to let your friends and family know they can find the virtual ceremony link here. 

Take a moment to think about all you’ve accomplished – the journey, the deadlines and the late hours, the sacrifices you may have had to make, but also how sweet this victory is. You’ve worked hard, you’ve met your goal, now go out, make us proud and change the world.

Destination graduation. The two words often serve the role of guiding light for students throughout their journey in our faculty.

Spring convocation 2019 will see 92 of our undergraduate learners realize Dr. johnson’s words of encouragement and become Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management alumni on Tuesday, June 4 at the University of Manitoba.

“I want to congratulate the graduating class on finishing their degrees,” says Dr. Todd Duhamel, Acting Dean, FKRM. “I hope you enjoyed your time here, and I know you’ll make us proud moving forward.”

Joining the undergraduates are four graduate studies graduands: Yash Rawal, MSc; Victory Madu, MSc; Courtney Punton, MA; Katherine Fowler, MA; and Leah Goertzen, MA

Meet some of the FKRM’s class of 2019:

Joshua Petik, Kinesiology

How would you describe your time as a Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management student?

“The four years seemed to go by so fast. It makes it hard to believe just a few years ago I was learning planes of motion and basic anatomy. Each year continually provided further knowledge of how one understands the body from multiple perspectives including the mental or physical portions as two examples. Also, since the faculty is relatively small, it was great to continually get the chance meet the people I saw daily and share varying ideas of common interests relating to kinesiology.”

Joshua enters the U of M’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ College of Rehabilitation Sciences Master of Physical Therapy program this fall.

Kaitlin Fosseneuve, Physical Education

Why might you recommend the Physical Education stream to a prospective student?

“If you love working with youth and want to make a difference in the lives our youth, Physical Education is the pathway for you. I feel that physical educators make an impact on their students because we are the ones that help build the foundation for young people to enjoy and participate in daily physical activity! If you love living a healthy active life and want to make a difference in today’s youth, this stream is perfect.” Kaitlin enters the Faculty of Education this fall.

Ryan Singh, Kinesiology-Athletic Therapy

What’s next for you after graduation?

“Following graduation, I will start practicing as an Athletic Therapist at a sports medicine clinic where I completed a part of my clinical practicum, and also work at part-time. After I gather some more experience, I’m planning on opening up my own business.”

Angie Arshad, Recreation Management and Community Development

How would you describe your time as a Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management student?

“During my time as a student, I discovered who I was.

Our classroom dynamic and overall learning environment was also unique in comparison to other faculties. Some days, our learning took place in the multipurpose room at the Active Living Centre, or through participating in community development programs in the city and other days our learning took place outside, participating in programs planned and implemented by other students in the class. I believe this was largely impacted by how passionate the professors in our faculty are. Students were constantly encouraged to engage in experiential learning and network with professionals in order to build on their professional and communication skills. I was surrounded by so many talented and hardworking students that went on to become a second family to me (also known as my REC Fam).”

Angie is the newly appointed Education Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

Laura Brinkman, Kinesiology

Why might you recommend the Kinesiogy stream to a prospective student?

“I would highly recommend the kinesiology stream to a prospective student, because it has set me on my personal path to health and wellness, and allows me to help others with theirs.” Laura enters the U of M’s Master of Physical Therapy program this fall.