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Alumni News Archive

2025 Certificate of Merit Recipients - Cathey Day, Fred Greig, Kim McConnell

Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

University of Manitoba honours agricultural leaders with 2025 Certificate of Merit

June 19, 2025 — 
The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences proudly celebrated the 45th anniversary of its Certificate of Merit by recognizing three outstanding alumni for their exceptional contributions to Manitoba’s agricultural sector and rural communities.

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Alumni

Meet the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for Outstanding Young Alumni

June 17, 2025 — 
Tréchelle Bunn’s journey at UM showcases her academic excellence and community dedication.

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Alumna Sandy Hyman smiles while sitting in front of a fireplace

Faculty of Social Work

Alum, Sandy Hyman: Leaving a legacy of compassion and change

June 16, 2025 — 
Sandy's commitment to community and politics was evident early on. In 1967, she was elected Lady Stick of Social Work, a leadership role that foreshadowed her later public service as a Winnipeg City Councillor from 1991 to 1995. During her time on council, she remained true to her social work roots, focusing on constituent needs and advocating for vulnerable populations. “I loved politics,” says Hyman, "a passion that has always been about making meaningful change.” Over the course of her nearly four-decade career in child welfare and education, Sandy encountered both the triumphs and the heartbreaks that come with serving on the front lines of human struggle. When asked why she has remained so passionate about her chosen profession, Sandy responded, “Sometimes I think it’s anti-social work. Often, a social worker is alone, uncertain what’s next or what to do; neither education, on-the-job training, nor life experience prepared me for the challenges I encountered.” One of Sandy’s most unforgettable experiences involved a teen who had been labeled extremely behaviorally disordered. He was housed alone in a group home with 24/7 supervision. “He so wanted to be with his mom,” Sandy recalls. “He was kept isolated in the group home because every system considered him a danger – to students, staff, and even himself.” Her voice trembles as she recounts writing the funding application for this youth’s education plan, an effort involving multiple systems and extraordinary financial resources to create a safe learning environment. “As I filled out his funding application, I shed tears. This boy’s story was almost unbelievable, so deeply painful,” Sandy explains. “Writing this application felt crucial… a final opportunity to offer this teen a thread of hope, a way to learn how to be with others, and with himself, safely.”

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School of Art

New Voices, Bold Visions: Five School of Art Grads Head to Montreal for National Showcase

June 12, 2025 — 
Fresh Paint / New Construction returns to Art Mûr with powerful new work from across Canada

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School of Art

School of Art Alum Shortlisted for 2025 Sobey Art Award

June 6, 2025 — 
The School of Art at the University of Manitoba is proud to share that alumnus Chukwudubem Ukaigwe (BFA Hon. ’22) has been named a finalist for the 2025 Sobey Art Award, Canada’s most prestigious prize for contemporary visual art.

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Dr. Henry Friesen speaks at a lectern.

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Dr. Henry Friesen’s visionary career celebrated at medical college

June 6, 2025 — 
Friends and colleagues of Dr. Henry Friesen, a UM medical alum who became a towering figure in Canadian health research, honoured his memory on June 3.

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Manitoba’s Wilson Moot Team left to right: Coach Madison Pearlman [JD/18] (Law Society of Manitoba), Avery Alexiuk (2L), Tess Poulton (2L), Maia Bacchus (3L), Kirsten Nynych (3L), Coach Charles Murray (Manitoba Justice, Constitutional Law section).

Faculty of Law

Moot Report 2025: The Wilson Moot

May 29, 2025 — 
For the first time since 2012, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law fielded a team in the 2025 Wilson Moot which took place February 21 – 22 in Toronto, ON at the Federal Court facilities. The Wilson Moot, is named in honour of the late Honourable Bertha Wilson, the first female justice appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, and pays tribute to her remarkable contributions to Canadian law.

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Kristie Pearson holding a box of clothes in a warehouse while looking at the camera

Alumni

Meet the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient for Community Service 

May 26, 2025 — 
Kristie Pearson [BPE/96] is more than a community leader—she’s a force of compassion and action. Her life’s work is a testament to the power of showing up, listening deeply, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and supported.

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Irene Fakankun

Alumni

Dr. Irene Fakankun Re-Elected to University of Manitoba Board of Governors

May 23, 2025 — 
UM alumni have re-elected Dr. Irene Fakankun [PhD/21] to serve a second term on the University of Manitoba Board of Governors. 

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Robson Hall’s newest Jurists (left to right): The Honourable Ryan Rolston, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba; D. Andrew Torbiak; Heather L. Wadsworth; The Honourable Marianne Rivoalen, Chief Justice of Manitoba.

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Law Spring Reception honours exceptional contributions of practicing bar and bench

May 20, 2025 — 
The Faculty of Law was pleased to host its annual community-building Spring Reception on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, where five new Jurists of Robson Hall were honoured, along with two recipients of the Faculty’s annual Alumni awards. In a jam-packed evening that honoured practicing professional instructors, moot competition coaches, mentors, externship supervisors and volunteers, the Faculty also presented its inaugural Externship Supervisor Award. The Manitoba Law Foundation announced a $4.5 million grant it has made to the Faculty to create transformative bursaries to ensure a diverse future practicing bar. Guests were also invited to tour the student areas of Robson Hall to see the many recent changes including a giant mural created by Indigenous artist and second-year law student, Jessie Canard.

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