St. John's College News Archive
St. John's College News
“I wish I had known sooner”: How St John’s College changed Chloe Dreilich-Girard’s university experience
April 21, 2025 —
For Chloe Dreilich-Girard, joining St John’s College during her fifth year of university was a turning point—one she wishes had come much earlier. A proud Métis woman and Manitoba Métis Federation citizen, Chloe came to law school after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. She is currently working with a sole practitioner to provide free wills and estate services in Nunavut and will be spending her summer with the Legal Help Centre, continuing her focus on accessible justice.
April 21, 2025 —
For Chloe Dreilich-Girard, joining St John’s College during her fifth year of university was a turning point—one she wishes had come much earlier. A proud Métis woman and Manitoba Métis Federation citizen, Chloe came to law school after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. She is currently working with a sole practitioner to provide free wills and estate services in Nunavut and will be spending her summer with the Legal Help Centre, continuing her focus on accessible justice.
St. John's College News
Finding strength in community: Angela Soulsby achieves her Nursing dream
April 3, 2025 —
When Angela Soulsby walks into her new role with Health Canada under Indigenous Services Canada, she carries with her not just a Bachelor of Nursing degree and recently completed NCLEX, but a deep, personal story of healing and hope. Growing up in an unsafe environment shaped by historical and generational trauma, Angela faced adversity that could have easily derailed her dreams. She later experienced a health care crisis and a violent assault—both stemming from institutional systems that have long dehumanized Indigenous Peoples. Rather than let these experiences hold her back, Angela found purpose in them.
April 3, 2025 —
When Angela Soulsby walks into her new role with Health Canada under Indigenous Services Canada, she carries with her not just a Bachelor of Nursing degree and recently completed NCLEX, but a deep, personal story of healing and hope. Growing up in an unsafe environment shaped by historical and generational trauma, Angela faced adversity that could have easily derailed her dreams. She later experienced a health care crisis and a violent assault—both stemming from institutional systems that have long dehumanized Indigenous Peoples. Rather than let these experiences hold her back, Angela found purpose in them.
St. John's College News
“Be a Free Woman”: Honouring Dr Punam Mehta for Women’s Empowerment Month
March 31, 2025 —
As a child of refugee parents from Uganda and a lifelong advocate for community health, Punam Mehta has built a career at the intersection of health research and women’s empowerment. Whether she’s supporting mothers with addictions through yoga and body mapping, researching chronic diseases in Northern Manitoba, or mentoring the next generation of women in STEM, Mehta’s work is guided by justice and equity. Now an instructor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Mehta shares her story for Women’s Empowerment Month, reminding us that leadership is not just about rising—it’s about reaching back and bringing others with you.
March 31, 2025 —
As a child of refugee parents from Uganda and a lifelong advocate for community health, Punam Mehta has built a career at the intersection of health research and women’s empowerment. Whether she’s supporting mothers with addictions through yoga and body mapping, researching chronic diseases in Northern Manitoba, or mentoring the next generation of women in STEM, Mehta’s work is guided by justice and equity. Now an instructor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Mehta shares her story for Women’s Empowerment Month, reminding us that leadership is not just about rising—it’s about reaching back and bringing others with you.
St. John's College News
St John’s College scholarship applications now open!
March 31, 2025 —
Are you a University of Manitoba student looking for financial assistance? St John's College is proud to support students by offering over $200,000 in scholarship, bursaries, and prizes each year.
March 31, 2025 —
Are you a University of Manitoba student looking for financial assistance? St John's College is proud to support students by offering over $200,000 in scholarship, bursaries, and prizes each year.
St. John's College News
It’s not Just Water—a creative approach to exploring water and justice
March 21, 2025 —
Internationally recognized artist-in-residence at UM brings unique lens to exploring relationships with water as part of the Just Waters project
March 21, 2025 —
Internationally recognized artist-in-residence at UM brings unique lens to exploring relationships with water as part of the Just Waters project
St. John's College News
Defying the odds at the 41st Annual Marjorie Ward Lecture
March 13, 2025 —
On March 11, 2025, St John's College hosted the 41st Annual Marjorie Ward Lecture, a series that has been focused on Canada, and in particular, Western Canada. It was established in 1980 to honour the College's long-standing Registrar, Marjorie Ward, on her retirement. Surrounded by his past and present players, friends, and passionate football fans, Coach Brian Dobie took to the stage—not to boast of his own achievements, but to celebrate the remarkable journeys of the athletes he had the privilege of coaching. As the evening drew to a close, one thing became undeniably clear: nothing is impossible!
March 13, 2025 —
On March 11, 2025, St John's College hosted the 41st Annual Marjorie Ward Lecture, a series that has been focused on Canada, and in particular, Western Canada. It was established in 1980 to honour the College's long-standing Registrar, Marjorie Ward, on her retirement. Surrounded by his past and present players, friends, and passionate football fans, Coach Brian Dobie took to the stage—not to boast of his own achievements, but to celebrate the remarkable journeys of the athletes he had the privilege of coaching. As the evening drew to a close, one thing became undeniably clear: nothing is impossible!
St. John's College News
Welcoming our newest Fellows to St John’s College
March 3, 2025 —
St. John’s College is pleased to welcome four distinguished scholars as new Fellows: Dr. Gerd Prehna, Dr. Punam Mehta, Dr. Patty Thille, and Dr. Shirley Thompson.
March 3, 2025 —
St. John’s College is pleased to welcome four distinguished scholars as new Fellows: Dr. Gerd Prehna, Dr. Punam Mehta, Dr. Patty Thille, and Dr. Shirley Thompson.
St. John's College News
Echoes of Elmina Castle: Edmund Opoku-Agyeman’s journey to reclaiming Black identity
February 27, 2025 —
As Black History Month comes to an end, stories of resilience and triumph have come to the forefront. For Edmund Opoku-Agyeman, his journey from Ghana to Canada showcases the impact of centuries of history on personal identity and opportunity. Born and raised in Ghana, Edmund’s connection to its history runs deep. His maternal hometown, Elmina, is home to Elmina Castle (Fort St George’s) —one of the most significant landmarks of the transatlantic slave trade. Built by the Portuguese in 1482, the castle evolved from a gold trading post into a major center for the enslavement of Africans. “In the late seventies, a few hundred years after the castle was built, an extension of it was turned into a community secondary school,” Edmund recalls. “There was enough space for classrooms, a library, a canteen, administrative offices, staff common room, and even an assembly area. I was among the fourth batch of students to attend that school in the eighties.”
February 27, 2025 —
As Black History Month comes to an end, stories of resilience and triumph have come to the forefront. For Edmund Opoku-Agyeman, his journey from Ghana to Canada showcases the impact of centuries of history on personal identity and opportunity. Born and raised in Ghana, Edmund’s connection to its history runs deep. His maternal hometown, Elmina, is home to Elmina Castle (Fort St George’s) —one of the most significant landmarks of the transatlantic slave trade. Built by the Portuguese in 1482, the castle evolved from a gold trading post into a major center for the enslavement of Africans. “In the late seventies, a few hundred years after the castle was built, an extension of it was turned into a community secondary school,” Edmund recalls. “There was enough space for classrooms, a library, a canteen, administrative offices, staff common room, and even an assembly area. I was among the fourth batch of students to attend that school in the eighties.”
St. John's College News
Brian Dobie to deliver 41st Annual Marjorie Ward Lecture
February 13, 2025 —
St John's College is set to host the 41st Annual Marjorie Ward Lecture, featuring esteemed Bisons football head coach Brian Dobie as this year’s keynote speaker. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Robert B. Schultz Lecture Theatre. A storied career in Canadian football Dobie, a pillar of Canadian university football, has made a profound impact on the sport. He took over as head coach of the Manitoba Bisons in 1996, inheriting a team that had finished 0-8 the previous season. Under his leadership, the Bisons rapidly improved, culminating in a first-place finish and a Hardy Cup appearance in 2000. Since then, Dobie brought the Bisons to their first Hardy Cup Championship victory in over three decades, three Canada West Championships and two appearances at the Vanier Cup, including their first national championship title. Coach Dobie also earned the title of U SPORTS Coach of the Year in 2001 as well as five-time Canada West Coach of the Year.
February 13, 2025 —
St John's College is set to host the 41st Annual Marjorie Ward Lecture, featuring esteemed Bisons football head coach Brian Dobie as this year’s keynote speaker. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Robert B. Schultz Lecture Theatre. A storied career in Canadian football Dobie, a pillar of Canadian university football, has made a profound impact on the sport. He took over as head coach of the Manitoba Bisons in 1996, inheriting a team that had finished 0-8 the previous season. Under his leadership, the Bisons rapidly improved, culminating in a first-place finish and a Hardy Cup appearance in 2000. Since then, Dobie brought the Bisons to their first Hardy Cup Championship victory in over three decades, three Canada West Championships and two appearances at the Vanier Cup, including their first national championship title. Coach Dobie also earned the title of U SPORTS Coach of the Year in 2001 as well as five-time Canada West Coach of the Year.
St. John's College News
Call for art submissions for the Third Annual Music & Art Competition
February 11, 2025 —
In collaboration with the Desautels Faculty of Music, St John's College is once again providing a stage for student creativity with its 3rd Annual Music & Art Competition. This much-anticipated event invites students from across campus to showcase their artistic and musical talents, and compete for cash prizes. St. John’s College oversees the art component of the competition, while the Desautels Faculty of Music manages the music component. The two come together on April 7th at the St John's Chapel for a special celebration of the arts, where students' talents will be highlighted in a live showcase and awards ceremony. Last year, we had sixteen submissions with three finalists, including Valentine Okoye Chukwukamike, Guiliana DaCunha Maoura, and Emily Ramsay.
February 11, 2025 —
In collaboration with the Desautels Faculty of Music, St John's College is once again providing a stage for student creativity with its 3rd Annual Music & Art Competition. This much-anticipated event invites students from across campus to showcase their artistic and musical talents, and compete for cash prizes. St. John’s College oversees the art component of the competition, while the Desautels Faculty of Music manages the music component. The two come together on April 7th at the St John's Chapel for a special celebration of the arts, where students' talents will be highlighted in a live showcase and awards ceremony. Last year, we had sixteen submissions with three finalists, including Valentine Okoye Chukwukamike, Guiliana DaCunha Maoura, and Emily Ramsay.