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Speaker series celebrates impressive UWinnipeg alumni

Headshots of Cameron Adams, Sidney Leggett, and Josh Swain

Scholars (left to right) Cameron Adams (BA, BED 23), Sidney Leggett (Coll 17, BSCH 22), and Josh Swain (BSC4 21) make up the panel for the Feb 22 Alumni Perspectives Speaker Series.

Fred Appel (BAH 85) has had the chance to meet a variety of distinguished University of Winnipeg alumni since he began moderating the Alumni Perspectives Speaker Series that launched in 2022. The Speaker Series is presented by the UWinnipeg Alumni Association, and features informal panel discussions with some of The University’s prominent alumni.

“We try to develop these programs with strong themes: careers in biotech, careers in public service, alternative medicine,” Appel said. “There’s been a really wide range of discussions and range of people I’ve had conversations with. I do enjoy meeting interesting people who’ve led interesting professional lives and asking them questions, so that’s been a pleasure.”

They’re clearly very accomplished and already have a string of achievements under their belts.

Fred Appel

These free webinars are a great way to learn about the diverse experiences, opportunities, and career paths of UWinnipeg alum. They provide an opportunity to engage with alum and ask questions in real time. Most importantly, according to Appel, the Speaker Series is a way to remain connected to the University community.

“I have very fond memories of my university days,” Appel said. “They were really formative and important for me.”

An alum of McGill University, Appel says he is excited about the upcoming Speaker Series event on February 22, Celebrating UWinnipeg’s McCall MacBain Scholars, which features three recent UWinnipeg grads who received full graduate scholarships to McGill – scholars Cameron Adams (BA, BED 23), Sidney Leggett (Coll 17, BSCH 22), and Josh Swain (BSC4 21).

“I’ll be talking to students who are at McGill now at the Masters level,” said Appel. “They’re clearly very accomplished and already have a string of achievements under their belts. They have some interesting goals and aspirations concerning public service and leadership, and I’ll look forward to hearing about them.”

Appel said this event is also a great way to raise awareness about the McCall MacBain Scholarship. The scholarship is relatively new, and a UWinnipeg grad has received this award in each of the three years it’s been available – a testament to the high calibre of students graduating from UWinnipeg.

The Celebrating UWinnipeg’s McCall MacBain Scholars webinar will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 22 via Zoom. It is a free event and all are welcome, however, registration is required. Register online here.

More information about the Alumni Perspective Series and upcoming events is available on the Alumni Association’s web page.