From Chewbacca to Bill Gates, UM continued to make headlines in new and expected ways this year. We’ve curated a list of the top 10 stories that drew readers to UM Today to learn about the work of our students, faculty and staff.  

An old language brings A New Hope 
Creatures across galaxies both near and far, far away celebrated the world premiere of the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope. Cary Miller, Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, served as one of the project leads and Patricia Ningewance, Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, was the lead translator. The movie trailer uses behind-the-scenes and interview footage shot by UM Film Studies students. 

Our herd moves the world 
In September, President Michael Benarroch penned a bold letter to Manitobans inviting them to see the Bisons at the centre of every industry in our province: from entrepreneurship, to finance, health care, Reconciliation, human rights, the arts and so much more. It kicks off UM’s first reputational campaign in ten years, designed to attract more Bisons to the university. 

Giving the best shots 
Thanks to the largest federal research investment in its history, UM will soon be home to two world-leading vaccine and biomanufacturing facilities. Manitoba’s first Containment Level 3 lab, to be located on the Bannatyne campus, will provide pre-clinical vaccine testing against high-risk pathogens of concern in a safe and secure environment. A second biosecure facility on the Fort Garry campus will develop new vaccines and approaches to improve the reliability and speed of biomanufacturing at scale.