The University of Winnipeg enjoyed an incredible year in 2006 of widespread support by government, the private sector and friends and alumni of the University. Downtown revitalization and renewal, a key objective of many of the University’s projects, was hailed by all levels of government, business, the University community and its inner-city neighbours.
On the academic front, UWinnipeg and Collegiate graduate Alana Lajoie-O’Malley was named a Rhodes Scholar; students and grads gave UWinnipeg top marks for the quality of teaching and educational experience in the Globe & Mail’s annual report card; and, UWinnipeg continued to rank strongly in the Maclean’s Ranking of Canadian Universities. Education professor Dawn Sutherland was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Science Education.
At the community level, Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre expanded its homework club for inner-city youth to five days a week, offered free summer sport and art day camps in July and August and is currently running a free basic computer training class along with many other educational, recreational and cultural programs.
President Lloyd Axworthy’s vision for The University of Winnipeg and its impact on downtown revitalization was heralded in a front-page Winnipeg Free Press article Jan. 5, 2007. In a Jan.6, 2007 article in the Winnipeg Free Press, the City and the Province praised Axworthy’s leadership and expressed confidence in his plans for the University as UWinnipeg launched its 40th Anniversary year.
University of Winnipeg highlights of 2006 also include:
- University of Winnipeg faculty, staff and retirees donated $1 million to the University’s internal fundraising campaign earmarked for student awards. As well, Chancellor H. Sanford Riley contributed $1 million to the internal fundraising campaign to create the H. Sanford Riley Fellowships in Canadian History, part of the University’s vision for a national centre for Canadian history
- The Richardson Firm, Family and Foundation donated $3.5 million to establish the Richardson College for the Environment and a new urban green space in downtown Winnipeg
- The Province of Manitoba announced an investment of up to $25 million in The University of Winnipeg capital program, including a $10 million immediately that will go towards a new environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art science complex at Portage Ave. and Langside St.
- CanWest Global Communications donated $3 million to create the CanWest Centre for Theatre & Film with 125-150 seat theatre and exceptional training facilities for theatre and film studies
