WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg commemorated the 40th anniversary of its charter today with a celebratory picnic on campus for faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and members of the surrounding community. To celebrate 40 years since UWinnipeg became a degree-granting institution, alumni and family entertainers Fred Penner (LLD ’95, BA ’70) and Robin Chestnut (BA ’98) performed at the Charter Day Picnic. The festive event, held on the front lawn of historic Wesley Hall, attracted scores of people and featured all the essential party favors including a free picnic lunch and birthday cake, balloons and face painting.
UWinnipeg received its charter Sept. 15, 1967 but its roots date back more than 130 years. The founding colleges were Manitoba College (1871) and Wesley College (1888), which merged to form United College in 1938. University of Winnipeg Chancellor H. Sanford Riley spoke about the University’s rich history of academic excellence and commitment to accessibility. He noted that since receiving its charter in 1967, UWinnipeg has granted 34,515 degrees.
As the University looks back on its achievements over the past 40 years and at an ever-increasing student population, it is also looking forward. The University took a major step forward in its development when the Province of Manitoba announced its approval Sept. 7 for UWinnipeg to offer graduate studies programs. This major policy decision is an exciting one and will allow UWinnipeg to introduce four new graduate level programs: MA in Aboriginal Governance; M.Sc. in Applied Computer Science and Society; M.Sc. in Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy; and MA in English with a focus on Cultural Studies. The first of these programs will begin in Fall 2008.
These innovative graduate-level programs will be exclusive to The University of Winnipeg, will not duplicate any programs in the province and, in many cases, will be unique in Canada. They will be integrated with the existing undergraduate programs at the institution and will strengthen UWinnipeg’s research capacity, supporting the Province of Manitoba’s priorities for expanding innovation and graduate studies.
The University of Winnipeg already offers a specialized Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy; Masters degrees in Arts, Divinity & Sacred Theology through the Faculty of Theology and joint programs in partnership with the University of Manitoba in History, Public Administration and Religious Studies. However, the recent announcement marks the first time UWinnipeg will offer a full range of Master of Arts and Master of Science programs, and the establishment of a Faculty of Graduate Studies, to be led by Dr. Sandra Kirby, Acting Associate Vice President (Research & Graduate Studies).
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Located in the heart of downtown, The University of Winnipeg is a compact, diverse, multi-cultural academic community committed to access and excellence. Home to more than 9,200 full- and part-time students, UWinnipeg has been ranked by our graduates in the Top-10 of all Canadian universities when asked about their “Entire Educational Experience” (MacLean’s Graduate Survey, June 2006). The Globe & Mail Report Card 2006 gives the University of Winnipeg an overall “A” grade in the areas of quality of education, teaching quality, class sizes, faculty-student interaction and the availability of faculty outside of classroom hours. Find out why. Visit www.uwinnipeg.ca.
The University of Winnipeg would like to welcome its newest affinity partner – The Clearsight Investment Program from Wellington West. The Clearsight Investment Program is a comprehensive investment and wealth management solution combining top advisors with best-in-class investment products for one clear price. Contact us today to learn more about what this program has to offer UWinnipeg alumni. Visit www.clearsight.ca/uwinnipeg/offer to receive a complimentary copy of the 2007 Canadian Investment Guide when you sign up for our free investment e-newsletter, The ViewPoint. (Please quote promotional code: 22PSE0907CIG)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ilana Simon, Communications Officer, University of Winnipeg
P: 204.786.9930, C: 204.782.3279, E: i.simon@uwinnipeg.ca
