The University of Winnipeg is proud to honour seven outstanding faculty and staff members—Dr. Catherine Hunter, Randy White, Dr. Sheela Ramanna, Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar, Dr. Darshani Kumaragamage, Dr. Laura Sokal, and Patty Wiens—during our 128th Convocation on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12.
Dr. Catherine Hunter, Professor Emerita
Dr. Catherine Hunter is an award-winning writer, teacher, scholar, editor, mentor, and administrator – and a much-admired member of the University of Winnipeg.
Dr. Hunter completed her PhD at University of Victoria in 1991 and joined UWinnipeg that same year. For over 30 years, she’s been an inspirational professor of English and Creative Writing. She’s mentored countless students, editors, and aspiring writers and is a true UWinnipeg citizen.
Dr. Hunter’s career stands as a testament to the profound impact a dedicated teacher and writer can have on generations of students, colleagues, and the literary community.
She was a founding member of the editorial board for the university’s creative writing journal, juice. Her achievements as a poet and novelist have brought distinction to the university, as well as her work as a juror and reviewer for arts organizations.
She served as Chair of the English Department from 2009 to 2012, sat on the Senate from 2015 to 2017, and also served as Acting Chair in Sociology for two years.
The University of Winnipeg honours Dr. Catherine Hunter with the title of Professor Emerita for her continued creative and scholarly engagement, which has earned deep admiration and collegial respect.
Randy White, Stars of Spence Street Prize
For more than three decades, Randy has helped shape the student experience at the University of Winnipeg. His work has included admissions modernization, academic advising, cultural programming, mentorship coordination, and most recently, the Walls to Bridges program.
Randy’s commitment to engagement and building belonging reminds students that there is a place on campus where their culture, goals, and questions are centered.
He is warm, approachable, and often brings humour into spaces that might otherwise feel intimidating. He encourages students and colleagues to step forward, explore opportunities, and engage more fully.
When meeting with students, Randy engages with the whole person, with their strengths and challenges, with their academic goals and family responsibilities.
These everyday gestures accumulate. They create an atmosphere where students feel welcomed rather than merely accommodated.
His work directly advances the University of Winnipeg’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous excellence. Over decades, he has helped create accessible pathways into the University and has contributed to sustaining relationships built on consistency, reliability, and care. Trust of this nature is earned over time, and Randy’s enduring presence within the institution speaks to that commitment.
For his long and dedicated service to the University of Winnipeg and his unwavering support for students, The University of Winnipeg is proud to present the Stars of Spence Street Prize to Randy White.
Dr. Sheela Ramanna, Robin H. Farquhar Award for Excellence for Contributing to Self-Governance
Dr. Sheela Ramanna has made many valuable contributions to UWinnipeg’s self-governance since joining our campus community in 1995.
Her leadership has shaped the direction and growth of the Department of Applied Computer Science for three decades and counting.
Dr. Ramanna served three terms as chair of ACS and its predecessor, the Department of Business Computing and Administrative Studies. She led the renaming of the Business Computing major to Applied Computer Science, and the corresponding departmental name change.
She also oversaw the relocation of the department to its current home in the Duckworth Centre, laying the foundation for growth. ACS is now home to over 700 undergraduates and over 40 graduate students, making it the largest department in the Faculty of Science.
Dr. Ramanna also designed a new, four-year Honours bachelor program, and co-designed two new graduate programs.
Her leadership strengthened the department, preparing it for the global changes taking place in computer science.
Dr. Ramanna is also a steady and trusted presence—someone colleagues turn to for thoughtful advice and institutional memory.
She established departmental traditions such as Meet and Greet and Project Day that continue to benefit students and faculty.
She has done all of this while maintaining an active NSERC-funded research program and supervising over two dozen master’s students.
For shaping and deepening the University’s autonomy, The University of Winnipeg is proud to honour Dr. Sheela Ramanna with the Robin H. Farquhar Award for Excellence in Contributing to Self-Governance.
Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar, Clifford Robson Memorial Award
Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar is a gifted educator and mentor whose teaching has inspired generations of students at UWinnipeg with her pedagogical rigor, creativity, and compassion. She has transformed the way students experience science.
Known affectionately to her students as “Professor Vesna,” she is widely recognized for her ability to make challenging scientific concepts accessible and engaging.
Drawing upon expertise in astrophysics and cosmology, as well as broad knowledge spanning science, music, philosophy, and the arts, she creates learning environments that are intellectually rigorous. Her teaching demonstrates that science is creative, dynamic, and profoundly connected to human experience.
Her teaching fosters intellectual confidence while maintaining high academic standards. Many students credit her with fundamentally changing their academic and professional trajectories, including inspiring them to pursue careers in science, medicine, and research.
Her commitment to education is also reflected in her thoughtful and student-centered approach to assessment and mentorship.
Colleagues and former teaching assistants describe her as a generous mentor whose influence has shaped their own teaching philosophies and professional development.
Beyond the classroom, she has made extraordinary contributions to science education and public outreach through initiatives such as Let’s Talk Science. Her work reflects a deep belief that education is both a public good and a shared responsibility.
Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar exemplifies the very highest ideals of teaching excellence and is an exceptionally deserving recipient of the Clifford J. Robson Award for Teaching Excellence.
Dr. Darshani Kumaragamage, Erica & Arnold Rogers Award
Dr. Darshani Kumaragamage is a creative and impactful researcher whose contributions to soil science have shaped our understanding of agricultural nutrients on the Prairies.
A leading expert on soil nutrient dynamics, with a focus on keeping phosphorus on the land, where it benefits farmers, and out of waterways, where it causes water quality issues, Dr. Kumaragamage’s research program is distinctive for how she applies fundamental science principles to urgent environmental questions.
The seeds of this research began when she was a Professor in Soil Science in Sri Lanka, working on nutrient dynamics in flooded tropical soils. Arriving at UWinnipeg in 2009, she applied her knowledge to gaps in our understanding of prairie soils, which flood annually during the spring snowmelt.
Dr. Kumaragamage has built out an interdisciplinary team of researchers and collaborators, and the focus of her research has broadened to investigate not just scientific mechanisms, but also effective management practices.
Dr. Kumaragamage is also an internationally renowned scholar who has published over 95 peer-reviewed papers and attracted over $2 million in research funding. Her research program has engaged dozens of students and postdocs, and her longstanding support of research exchange opportunities between Canada and Sri Lanka has promoted collaboration and raised UWinnipeg’s international reputation.
Dr. Kumaragamage’s research program engages trainees, investigates fundamental science questions, and provides real solutions to environmental issues in our region. She has been a mentor and role model to countless environmental researchers in Winnipeg and beyond.
For exemplifying research excellence, The University of Winnipeg is proud to present Dr. Darshani Kumaragamage with the Erica and Arnold Rogers Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship.
Dr. Laura Sokal, Professor Emerita
Internationally recognized for her outstanding contributions to educational research, policy, and practice, Dr. Laura Sokal served as a full professor and now senior scholar in education at UWinnipeg. Her influential research program has focused on inclusive education with an emphasis on teacher resilience, burnout, retention, and post-pandemic recovery.
She has authored and co-authored over 120 scholarly works, peer-reviewed books, journal articles, book chapters, and professional publications. Her work on teacher efficacy and inclusive education remains widely cited internationally.
Her scholarship documents challenges facing educators and advancing practical, evidence-based pathways to support sustainable educator wellness and retention. Her Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and partner-funded research on teacher well-being during and after COVID-19 has been especially influential.
Dr. Sokal has collaborated with leading scholars worldwide and has served on the UNESCO expert initiatives and the Steering Committee for the Consortium for Inclusive Teacher Education and Development. She also served as Associate Editor for the Oxford Encyclopedia of Inclusive and Special Education.
Teaching and mentoring have been at the heart of her career. Those she taught and mentored will touch the future and make a difference in their own students’ lives.
In appreciation of her exceptional ability to bridge research, policy, and practice while advancing scholarship, and improving educational systems for teachers and learners, The University of Winnipeg is proud to honour Dr. Laura Sokal as Professor Emerita.
Patty Wiens, Campus Sustainability Recognition Award
Patty is an avid cyclist, safe streets advocate, and a published author. She is the co-chair of the Board of Directors for Bike Winnipeg, has a YouTube channel devoted to cycling, a podcast devoted to sharing women’s issues in community-building, another podcast dedicated to building awareness around civic politics, and is Winnipeg’s first Bicycle Mayor.
During her time at the University of Winnipeg, Patty has contributed many personal hours to advancing sustainability on campus, and we benefit greatly from her expertise.
She has advocated for enhanced secure bike parking for the campus community and promoted, coordinated, and presented at various educational cycling events.
Patty also hosted a campus-wide lunchtime bike ride to educate the campus community on safe cycling practices, familiarize riders with local bicycle lanes, and to help the UWinnipeg community become more comfortable with commuter cycling.
She has made many meaningful contributions to sustainability at UWinnipeg, while helping to connect campus sustainability goals to the broader community. Patty’s work is practical and community minded.
Patty does not simply promote cycling as a low carbon mode of transportation, but frames it as a way to improve wellbeing, accessibility, confidence, and community connection.
In doing so, she has helped make sustainability more accessible. She has helped make cycling possible for people who may never have seen themselves as cyclists.
For her extensive volunteerism and advocacy, The University of Winnipeg is proud to present Patty Wiens with the 2026 Faculty and Staff Campus Sustainability Recognition Award.
