WINNIPEG, MB – The following is a recap of University of Winnipeg news announcements for the month of September 2007:
SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 – Classes for the 2007-2008 academic year began for more than 9,000 UWinnipeg students.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 – UWinnipeg announced that distinguished economist Dr. John Roberts would be one of nine recipients of an honorary doctorate degree at a special convocation ceremony at the 40th Anniversary Homecoming Event. The winner of the Book of the Year by The Economist would receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg announced more than $800,000 in funding towards Portage Commons, the newly landscaped urban green space on the front lawn of Wesley Hall. The university received the funding from the tripartite Winnipeg Partnership Agreement.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg’s Access Task Force (ATF) released its final report containing 16 initiatives to improve access to post-secondary education for low-income individuals. The recommendations included establishing an Opportunity Fund to provide seed money for students and the creation of a tuition credits program.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2007 – UWinnipeg announced that respected civil servant Margaret Bloodworth would be one of nine recipients of an honorary doctorate degree at a special convocation ceremony at the 40th Anniversary Homecoming Event. The Government of Canada’s Associate Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office and National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister would receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2007 – The Province of Manitoba announced its approval for the University to offer graduate studies programs. As a result, The University of Winnipeg announced it would introduce four new graduate level programs:
- Master of Arts in Aboriginal Governance
- Master of Science in Applied Computer Science and Society
- Master of Science in Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy
- Master of Arts in English with a focus on Cultural Studies
The first of these programs – Aboriginal Governance – is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2008.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 – UWinnipeg announced alumnus and award-winning author David Bergen would be one of the featured writers at the Winnipeg International Writers Festival.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 – UWinnipeg announced that respected Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honorable Reverend Bill Blaikie, MP, PC would be one of nine recipients of an honorary doctorate degree at a special convocation ceremony at the 40th Anniversary Homecoming Event. The outspoken social justice advocate would receive an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007 – UWinnipeg announced that respected award-winning broadcaster Don Newman, OC would be one of nine recipients of an honorary doctorate degree at a special convocation ceremony at the 40th Anniversary Homecoming Event. Newman, one of Canada’s foremost political reporters and a respected expert on Canadian and foreign politics, would receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007 – UWinnipeg announced it would show five live webcasts on http://www.uwinnipeg.ca during its 40th Anniversary Homecoming & Reunion Weekend Celebrations. The website showed all the proceedings at the State of the University Address, the Rededication of Convocation Hall, Special Convocation, the Charter Day Celebration & Picnic and the Presidents’ Brunch.
SEPTEMBER 13-16, 2007 – The University celebrated its 40th Anniversary Homecoming & Reunion Weekend over these four days with concerts, speeches, lectures and community events.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 – In his State of the University speech, UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy released UWinnipeg’s Campus Development Plan and challenged students, faculty, staff and community members to develop a fully sustainable campus – one that meets the needs of the “four dimensions of sustainability: ecological, economical, social and cultural.”
SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 – The Winnipeg Foundation, Investors Group and the Westland Foundation announced contributions of $1.238-million to support programs at The University of Winnipeg that will provide low-income inner-city youth, Aboriginals and new Canadians with an opportunity for a University education. The announcement was made in a ceremony rededicating Convocation Hall. The funding will go to – among other programs – the university’s Innovative Learning Centre, the Eco-Kids summer camps, The Collegiate, the Opportunity Fund and a Model School Classroom for Science and Sustainability in the new Richardson College for the Environment & Science Complex.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 – Eleven teams of three hurled themselves over the prestigious “Rock of Remembrance” in the 36th Annual Great Rock Climb. The fastest time belonged to The Caravaners, comprised of members Alex Edge, Drew Hawranick and Ian Scott. The trio mounted the 25-ton granite boulder that rests on the UWinnipeg’s front lawn in a time of 15.8 seconds.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg conferred honorary degrees upon nine outstanding alumni who have brought great distinction to the university through their notable careers and community service. The university celebrated the group at a Special Convocation ceremony held in Convocation Hall as part of the institution’s 40th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend Event. The recipients were David Bergen, Bill Blaikie, Margaret Bloodworth, the Honorable Ruth Krindle, Dianne Leggatt, Raymond McFeetors, Don Newman, John Roberts and Harvey Thorleifson.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy announced the establishment of the Duff Roblin Scholars Fund in support of Roblin Scholar Fellowships for the University’s new Masters Degree program in Aboriginal Governance.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg celebrated the 40th Anniversary of receiving its charter to become an independent degree-granting institution. Entertainment at the celebration included popular children’s entertainer Fred Penner and champion juggler Robin Chestnut – both alumni of The University of Winnipeg.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 – The University renamed its chapel in Bryce Hall to the Carl Ridd Sanctuary. The late Dr. Ridd was a former UWinnipeg student, an award-winning faculty member, Olympic basketball player, United Church minister and distinguished humanitarian.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg Foundation’s Gift Planning Committee Chair Dr. W. John A. Bulman dedicated The Legacy Circle Garden within the new Portage Commons. The new garden honors those individuals who contribute to the university through their legacies.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 – Alumna Charlotte Caron bestowed her great uncle William J. Rose’s graduation medal upon the University. Rose graduated from Wesley Hall in 1905 and was the University’s first Rhodes Scholar.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 – Member of Parliament Pat Martin, accompanied by his wife Barb and son Liam, unveiled a plaque honoring his grandfather Rev. John McKay. McKay was the last Principal of Manitoba College and a strong community leader.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 – Former UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Marsha Hanen announced a gift of $200,000 to establish The University of Winnipeg Marsha Hanen Global Dialogue and Ethics Program. The program will operate within the university’s Global College.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg announced that three of its faculty members – professors Jock Lehr, Alexander Freund and Paul Bramadat – would be leading the 19th Biennial Conference in Canadian Ethnic Studies Association at the Hotel Fort Garry, Sept. 27-30.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 – Eminent neuronimaging specialist Dr. Ryan D’Arcy spoke on Windows into Brain Function: Translating Neuroscience Research into Diagnostic Advances in Medicine as part of the 2007 Laird Lecture Series.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 – The University informed the public about a warning message found on a campus washroom wall. The message contained a threat of an occurrence on Wednesday, Sept. 26. As a result, the University enhanced its security measures around campus to ensure the safety and security of all concerned.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the prestigious Canada-US Fulbright Program, strengthening the University’s focus on internationalization and opening up opportunities for UWinnipeg students and faculty to lecture, research and pursue graduate studies in the United States, and for Americans to do the same at UWinnipeg. The mandate of the program is to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Canada and the people of the United States by providing support to outstanding students, faculty, professionals and independent researchers.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2007 – The University of Winnipeg honored its CIS National Champion Men’s Volleyball Team in a special ring presentation ceremony prior to an exhibition match against the University of Regina Cougars. Head coach Larry McKay and his Wesmen squad won the exhibition match, defeating the Cougars 25-20, 25-21 and 25-22 before a crowd of nearly 1,000 fans.
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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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ilana Simon, Communications Officer, University of Winnipeg
P: 204.786.9930, C: 204.782.3279, E: i.simon@uwinnipeg.ca
