The University of Winnipeg is honouring eight exceptional faculty and staff members during our virtual Spring Convocation on Thursday, June 10 and Friday, June 11.
“We are proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals and the contributions they make in helping our students achieve their academic dreams,” said Dr. James Currie, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “UWinnipeg is a close-knit community committed to outstanding academic scholarship, research excellence, and community engagement, and these individuals exemplify this commitment.”
The faculty and staff members who will be recognized are:
Dr. Royden Loewen: Professor Emeritus
Dr. Loewen is a prolific scholar in the area of Mennonite history. His distinguished work in teaching, mentorship, and research, while serving as Chair in Mennonite Studies for more than two decades, reflects his commitment to, and extraordinary influence in, his field of study.
Dr. John Lehr: Professor Emeritus
Throughout his 36-year career at UWinnipeg, Dr. Lehr exemplified creativity, curiosity, and dedication to his work. His interest in, and research of, the Canadian prairies is world-renowned, and he is an authority on the ways in which ethnic and religious groups such as Hutterites, Ukrainians, Jews, Mennonites, and Mormons shaped the cultural landscape.
Dr. Judith Huebner: Fellowship in United College
Dr. Huebner has made important, long-lasting contributions in teaching, research, and service during her remarkable 45-year career. She served as the Chair for three separate departments: Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Biology. Whether supporting students, faculty members, or staff, Huebner was committed to the advancement of women in academics.
Dr. Anna Stokke: Clifford J. Robson Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Stokke is an ambassador for math education whose high standard of teaching and research inspires student success. Her commitment to teaching excellence has been recognized with a series of awards, including most recently a 2021 3M National Teaching Fellowship — Canada’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in post-secondary teaching and educational leadership.
Dr. Eliakim Sibanda: Marsha Hanen Award for Excellence in Creating Community Awareness
Dr. Sibanda is a globally acclaimed advocate for human rights, peace, and justice. He played a pivotal role in developing several Masters programs at UWinnipeg, he helped create UWinnipeg’s Global College, and was instrumental in establishing the BA in Human Rights and Global Studies, the first of its kind in Western Canada.
Drs. Christopher Bidinosti and Christopher Henry: Erica and Arnold Rogers Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship
Drs. Bidinosti and Henry are visionary researchers whose combined expertise and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration is advancing digital agriculture and driving innovation. Together, they have forged successful industry-academia partnerships that have opened doors to the development of new technologies that wouldn’t be possible without their combined talents in physics and applied computer science.
Andrea McCluskey: Stars of Spence Street Prize
For more than two decades, McCluskey dedicated her career to advocating for students who are overcoming cultural, social, and academic barriers. With both the Aboriginal Student Services Centre and International, Immigrant, and Refugee Student Services, she was often the first point of contact for Indigenous and international students beginning their studies at UWinnipeg.
In recognition of exceptional service, achievement, and distinction, The University of Winnipeg presents a variety of awards to deserving members of the University family and wider community twice annually at convocation. Find out more at 2021 Spring Convocation.
