The University of Winnipeg community mourns the loss of former Chancellor Dr. W. John A. Bulman on June 15, 2023, at the age of 94.
The University’s fourth and longest-serving Chancellor, Dr. Bulman joined UWinnipeg in 1967 as a member of the Board of Regents. He served on the Board for 15 years, and as Chair from 1977-1979. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University in 1982 and took on the role of Chancellor in 1984. Dr. Bulman was a familiar face on campus and at Convocation for the duration of his 12 years as Chancellor, which culminated in 1996. He supported extensive academic and physical expansion at UWinnipeg during his time as Chancellor and was the first individual to be honoured by the University as Chancellor Emeritus.
Dr. Bulman’s indelible mark on our campus community, both through his service and tremendous generosity, is felt to this day. He made many donations to the University, beginning with an undesignated gift in 1985 to “the area of greatest need.” Alongside his late wife, Laureen, to whom he was lovingly married for 68 years, Dr. Bulman directed much of his charity to the John Bulman Collegiate Scholarship and the Chancellor W. John A. Bulman Scholarship, funds established in his honour by close friends and colleagues.
Dr. Bulman continued to provide opportunities to students through his service on the UWinnipeg Foundation Board of Directors, joining at its inception in 2003 and serving as Secretary until his retirement in 2020. During this time, he co-chaired the Planned Giving Committee and was integral in the formation of the Legacy Circle. The University’s Bulman Centre carries his name due to his extended devotion to UWinnipeg and its students.
The University is only one among many institutions to benefit from Dr. Bulman’s commitment to our city and its people. His thoughtful leadership and community building led him to hold board appointments and directorial positions with many organizations. He was chairman of the Board of Governors for The Winnipeg Art Gallery, a director for The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and a committee member with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He also held offices with the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church and served for a time as president of the United Way of Winnipeg.
In his professional life, Dr. Bulman was chairman and president of The Bulman Group Ltd., a family lithography and printing business, and chairman of Wawanesa Mutual Insurance. He held directorial and executive positions with several Canadian companies and received awards from the Manitoba Institute of Management and Canadian Institute of Management.
In addition to his various awards, Dr. Bulman was awarded the Order of Canada in February 2000 for his contributions to the city, province, and country, and subsequently received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) in recognition of his service.
In honour of Dr. W. John A. Bulman, UWinnipeg will fly its campus flags at half-mast on Monday, June 26.
