List of 2017 Outreach Award winners
Ten Outreach Awards were presented to U of M faculty and staff recognized for their outstanding community involvement on Jan. 23, 2017.
The list includes:
Dr. Dominique Laporte
Department of French, Spanish and Italian
Faculty of Arts
Laporte was recognized for his contribution to outreach through his activities that have celebrated the links between the franco-Manitoban community and the University of Manitoba. This includes his participation in an Alliance francaise du Manitoba conference where he highlighted the role of the French department in the foundation of the Alliance, and online videos that highlight the U of M’s contributions to the Alliance for the past 100 years. Additionally, Laporte collaborated with Radio Canada and the Societe historique de Saint-Boniface to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the oldest French radio station in western Canada.
Dr. Ayush Kumar
Department of Microbiology and Medical Microbiology
Faculty of Science
Kumar has consistently participated in outreach activities focused on sharing his expertise in and knowledge of antibiotic resistant organisms with the public at large through the media and with First Nations communities through collaborative projects. Furthermore, he has been mentoring First Nations high school students in his research laboratory where they gain firsthand experience. His efforts are an important step towards a broader education of the public to the threat of antibiotic resistance to health.
Dr. Joannie Halas
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management
Halas works with members of Winnipeg’s north end community, particularly Indigenous and racialized minority children and youth, community leaders, Elders and cultural teachers and well as local community economic development. Her work with the Sports, Physical Activity and Recreation in the Community (SPARC) certificate program in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management enhances the U of M’s commitment to create synergies between community outreach programs and Indigenous student recruitment strategies, and Extended Education’s commitment to provide high-quality online course program options that are responsive to the needs and interests of First Nations students living in northern and remote communities.
Dr. Robert Gulden
Department of Plant Science
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Gulden has become a respected source of information for producers, agribusinesses and the general public in the complex and controversial arena of pest management for food crops. His science advocacy is as respected by those engaged in the organic as well as conventional food systems, which speaks to his method of information delivery and sensitivity to the issues. Gulden has organized a range of technology transfer and public outreach activities, but his most significant contribution is the leadership he provides to one of the most popular University outreach activities in rural Manitoba: the Crop Diagnostic School. With more than 500 participants annually, the school is positively impacting the way food is produced in Manitoba and beyond.
The Faculty of Science Outreach Committee
Faculty of Science
The entire committee is recognized particularly for its team effort to develop and present Science Rendezvous. Last year, the 2016 edition was a rousing success, with hundreds of families visiting the Fort Garry campus for an inspirational celebration of science and technology. Approximately 2,000 visitors―up from 200 to 350 in previous years―were treated to dozens of interactive displays, hands-on activities for kids, science shows, tours of research facilities and cutting-edge research. Most importantly, they connected with over 200 students, staff and faculty, a near three-fold increase. The credit for the impressive growth of this outreach event belongs to the tireless efforts of this committee.
Dr. Pamela Dahl
Department of Preventive Dental Science College of Dentistry
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Dahl is the director and the face of the Centre for Community Oral Health, arguably the most extensive community service arm of any dental school in North America. The number of clinics and programs as well as the extensive geography covered by the services provided is truly amazing. Vulnerable child patients are seen by a specialist pediatric dentist in Churchill, MB through operating room services managed under the direction of Dahl as Director of the Centre for Community Oral Health. She is the overall manager of all the outreach programs in the department of preventive dental science, including Access Downtown, Deer Lodge Centre, Home Dental Program (mobile dental program), Manitoba Developmental Centre and St. Amant. She also was instrumental in establishing a new outreach program to provide dental services at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre.
Dr.Elizabeth Comack
Department of Sociology
Faculty of Arts
Comack is a regular contributor of op-ed pieces and comments for local, national and international news outlets on a variety of sociological issues. Her expertise on criminal justice makes her widely sought for consultation by government and law enforcement agencies. Her talent for bringing social issues forward to a broader public audience, especially on issues of racism, criminal justice and the well-being of inner-city residents in Winnipeg are to be commended.
Mary Bertone
School of Dental Hygiene College of Dentistry
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Bertone epitomizes the concepts of service and community engagement, with a long history at the College of Dentistry for community service and outreach, with demonstrable innovation and leadership over many years. She continues to make significant contributions that enhance the reputation of the College of Dentistry and University of Manitoba. It is likely that her “Smiles for Miles” program will continue to receive international recognition and become one of the most significant outreach programs in the history of the College as it provides tremendous benefits to both the community and our students.
Dr. Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair
Department of Native Studies
Faculty of Arts
Sinclair’s many outreach activities relate to the university’s commitment to Indigenization and its goal of supporting Indigenous achievement. In the past year alone, he engaged in dozens of outreach activities in the areas of non-academic teaching, consultancies, media appearances, non-academic articles/contributions to written media and legal reports/testimonies. Sinclair enlarges and enriches contacts between the university and all segments of the community, including local and national Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups.