Celebrating UM students

From groundbreaking research to stellar performances in sports, the University of Manitoba community has experienced a year marked by an unwavering list of accomplishments.

Many current and former UM students have left an indelible mark on the university in 2023.

1. When you think about electrical vehicles, the name Tesla won’t be far behind. The UMSAE Formula Electric team received the sponsorship of a lifetime from Tesla, 600 individual cells that make up the battery of their vehicle. Every year the student team designs and builds an electric formula style race car with which to compete against other university teams in North America. Students on the team come from a variety of engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical and computer.

2. Asper BComm alum Nicole MacIntosh completed the BComm program thanks to support and guidance from the Indigenous Business Education Partners. It helped MacIntosh understand and meet her degree requirements, all while connecting her to other Indigenous business students. MacIntosh applied and quickly fell in love with the program, cherishing meetings and workshops and feeling bolstered by the community and sense of belonging she found there.

3. UM student Clèche Kokolo joined a global cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill University. She is one of 20 Canadian recipients of the McCall MacBain Scholarships, the result of a landmark $200 million gift in 2019 by John and Marcy McCall MacBain.

4. Students from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Science were awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Vanier Scholars are Canada’s top graduate students, chosen for their academic excellence, research potential and leadership. Students are nominated by their university, evaluated by multi-disciplinary peer-review committees and selected by a board composed of world-renowned Canadian and international experts.

5. The 2022 Celebrating Co-op Awards welcomed over 300 co-op students and employers to mark another successful year of co-op education. This annual event is sponsored by The Associates and highlights the business community’s dedication to educating Manitoba’s future workforce. The I. H. Asper School of Business Co-op Program is one of the largest co-op programs at UM. This experiential learning program provides students with skills and knowledge that set them apart in the workforce.

6. St John’s College awarded $200,000 worth of scholarships to students across all faculties within the UM campus. Recipients ranged from the Faculty of Science, Arts, Engineering, Business, Graduate Studies and more.

7. Members and allies of the Indigenous campus community at UM celebrated 10 outstanding students, staff and faculty at the 2023 Honouring Our Indigenous Campus Community recognition ceremony. Each year, Indigenous Engagement and Communications and the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) recognize the efforts and achievements of the inspiring people that are working to make the University a better place.

8. University of Manitoba Bisons kicker, Maya Turner, made history becoming the first woman to play and score in a regular-season U SPORTS football game. She kicked two field goals, including the game-winner in overtime, taking the Bisons to a 27-24 victory over the University of Regina Rams at IG Field.

9. Desautels Faculty of Music’s Onello Bahingawan won over the Winnipeg Music Festival judges with his performances of “Cry For Me” and “I Don’t Care Much.” While many Winnipeg Music Festival competitors focused on one category to compete in, Onello competed in five.

10. The School of Art announced that current student Caleigh Stillwater and BFA Honours ’23 Grad, Jasmine Prior, were both selected for the Next Generation webpage at the Gardiner Museum’s 2023 International Ceramic Art Fair (ICAF). The ICAF showcased their incredible talent and achievements in ceramics. Each student successfully participated in a competition, and both were selected as representatives of the ceramics program at the School of Art.