Two honorary degrees to be awarded at Fall Convocation 2024
President Emeritus David T. Barnard, and Walter and Maria Schroeder will receive the honour.
During Fall Convocation, the University of Manitoba celebrates the achievements of its remarkable graduands and celebrates the distinguished achievements of three individuals who will share in two honorary degrees awarded at the annual ceremony.
The honorary degree is the highest honour UM can bestow upon an individual for achieving pre-eminence in science, culture, scholarship, or public service. This year’s recipients have transformed education, health care, and the University of Manitoba. They are President Emeritus David T. Barnard, and Walter and Maria Schroeder.
Walter and Maria Schroeder
Tuesday, October 22 at 2 p.m
Walter and Maria Schroeder have transformed countless lives through their remarkable philanthropy. Their commitment to education stems from personal experience: Maria was offered financial support to attend the University of Manitoba, an act that shaped her lifelong dedication to removing barriers for students.
After founding Dominion Bond Rating Service in 1975 with just $1,000, the Schroeders built it into the fourth-largest bond-rating agency in the world. Upon selling their business in 2014, they turned to philanthropy, committing over $500 million to various causes, including $5 million annually to Winnipeg’s education system. They plan to commit a total of $1 billion in their lifetime to various causes that benefit Canadians.
In addition to education, they have invested heavily in health care, with major contributions to arthritis, brain and heart care. Their latest endeavor is the creation of a new, forward-thinking Ambulatory Surgical Centre in Ontario that will transform patient treatment and medical training.
Walter and Maria Schroeder not only desire a better country, but they act on it—always looking for where they can make a difference. They are extraordinary role models whose compassion, vision and generosity have changed our world.
David T. Barnard
Wednesday, October 23 at 3 p.m.
David T. Barnard’s 12-year tenure as President of the University of Manitoba was marked by significant achievements in Reconciliation, research and community building. Early on, he positioned UM as a leader in Indigenous education, making it the first university in Canada to apologize for its role in the residential school system and helping UM be named as host of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. He also established the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) to foster Indigenous excellence.
Under his leadership, UM saw a 50 per cent increase in research funding and joined the U15 Group of Canadian research-intensive universities. Dr. Barnard also launched the record-breaking Front and Centre Campaign, raising $626 million, and oversaw major infrastructure projects like the Active Living Centre and Southwood Circle. Beyond UM, he served on various boards, influencing higher education across Canada.
David T. Barnard is a scholar, leader, and advocate for the transformative power of higher education who has made enduring contributions to the university and the broader community.
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 1,429 degrees are being awarded at Fall Convocation, bringing the number of graduates in the class of 2024 to just over 5,500. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, contributing high-demand skills to the labour market and injecting nearly $300 million into the province’s economy each year.