Nominate an outstanding scholar for the 2024-25 Knight Distinguished Visitor program

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould is the latest in a long line of thought-provoking speakers – which includes Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Mark Garneau and The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair – who have enriched the discourse at UM through the Knight Distinguished Visitors program.  

Wilson-Raybould, a champion for those who want to make a difference, spoke to a sold-out crowd at UMSU University Centre last month about the principles that have guided her journey as a lawyer, advocate and leader among Canada’s Indigenous peoples: the courage to think, act and be different.  

Her talk explored Indigenous rights and reconciliation, democracy and governance, leadership and justice. It will resonate for a long time. 

Now, UM wants your ideas on who the 2025 Knight Distinguished Visitor should be. We encourage you to think big!

Nominations open for 2024-25

Any member of the university, with the support from the head of their unit, can nominate an individual as a Knight Distinguished Visitor. 

This includes nominations made by students, who can seek the support of the unit(s) that best align with the potential visitor’s area of expertise.   

Joint endorsement by two or more units is encouraged, particularly in cases where the proposed visitor’s expertise and interests cross disciplinary boundaries. 

If a nominee is selected as the Knight Distinguished Visitor, the nominating unit is responsible for planning, organizing and hosting the event.  

Nominations for the 2024-25 academic year are due May 22, 2024. 

Program enriches the academic life at UM 

The Robert and Elizabeth Knight Distinguished Visitors Program is supported by the R.G. and E.M. Knight Fund, established to commemorate the lives and achievements of alumni Robert Greenwell Knight and Elizabeth Moore Knight, and fully funds all approved visits. 

The program is intended to enhance the quality of higher education at the university while enriching its academic life by supporting visits to the university by scholars and innovative thinkers in various fields. 

In addition to public lectures, distinguished visitors are encouraged to engage in other activities that allow them to interact with UM faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the outside community. 

Scholars can have expertise in the fields of commerce, finance, economics, political studies, history and literature; be leaders in commerce, industry and government; or have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge or to cultural, social and economic development. 

Submit a proposal for the Knight Distinguished Visitor online.  

UM Today Staff