St. Paul’s College to honour Ignatian Society’s 2022 Magis Prize Recipients

On November 22^nd, five St. Paul’s College community members will be honoured with the Ignatian Society’s Magis Prize at the 2022 Celebration of Giving and Sharing. Alumni and friends nominated the recipients of these awards, and the College’s Board of Governors approved the recommendations presented by the St. Paul’s College Ignatian Society. Our hosts for this event are alumnus Cynthia Uzozie (UM/SPC’18), student member Jasmine Tavares, and several College alumni, including our Stick of Office Victoria Nwabuisi (UM/SPC’20). During the evening, the contributions of our alumni, supporters, donors, volunteers, students, staff, and faculty are acknowledged and celebrated.

A Magis (from the Latin word meaning “more” or “greater”) Prize is gifted to an individual or group who is a part of the St. Paul’s College’s community and have demonstrated doing more for others in the areas of innovation, peacebuilding, leadership, and service for others.

‘Influence and Leadership’ Magis Prize recipients – Ruth and Steve Chipman

The St. Paul’s College Ignatian Society is delighted to present Ruth and Stephen Chipman [LL.B UM/SPC’72’73’75’82] with the Magis Prize for Influence and Leadership. Ruth and Steve are pillars in our community through their leadership, generosity, and commitment to service.

Steve has served as secretary on the board of Gonzaga Middle School, on the board of Cancer Care and was the 2013 Campaign Chair for United Way.

Ruth has served as a Spiritual Director for the Spiritual Exercises and on volunteer committees at the House of Peace, United Way, and the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre.

For 19 years, Ruth and Steve have organized and led the Immaculate Conception Drop-In and Parish Soup Kitchen in Winnipeg’s North End. As active members of the Christian Life Community, Ruth and Steve’s Jesuit formation in action can be seen in their many voluntary works in our community. Their generous service and leadership inspire our community and students to do the same.

‘Service for Others’ Magis Prize recipient – Sister Susan Wikeem, s.n.j.m.

Sister Susan Wikeem [B.A UM/SPC 1974] will be honoured with the Magis Prize for Service for Others for her lifetime of service to students and our community. Sr. Susan’s service in Catholic education began in 1965 as she taught and administered in three parochial schools for seven years before being appointed to SMA in 1974. She has also served on the SMA Boards (school and foundation) for 40 years.

“I always considered St. Paul’s College my home base on campus, ” said Sr. Susan. I took several courses in the building. St. Paul’s College was where I studied, ate lunch, attended Mass and hung out with friends.” During her 36 years as a teacher, a principal, and a Director of St. Mary’s Academy, she always recommended St. Paul’s to her students for those same reasons.

During her 36 years of service Sister Wikeem has guided, motivated, and inspired countless students during her time as a teacher, a Principal, and a Director of St. Mary’s Academy. She also has lent her expertise to many organizations beyond St. Mary’s, including St. Paul’s College where she has served as Chair of the Board of Governors and is currently a director with St. Paul’s College Foundation Inc.

‘Ingenuity and Innovation’ Magis Prize recipient – Dave Jaworski

The St. Paul’s College Ignatian Society is pleased to acknowledge Dave Jaworski  (UM/SPC’82) with the Magis Prize for Ingenuity and Innovation. Dave is an alumni of St. Paul’s College [B.Sc UM/SPC 82] and is passionate about helping people and organizations achieve their dreams and potential. His exciting career with innovative endeavours has helped organizations in multiple industries across the globe.

“The smiling faces of friends and faculty,” said Dave as he shared his fondest memory of St. Paul’s College. “It was my home base on campus. St. Paul’s was alive with a vivid expression of our Catholic faith expressed throughout.”

Dave was the third employee at Microsoft Canada and was instrumental in launching Microsoft’s Canadian operation. He was awarded the first-ever Bill Gates’ Chairman’s Award of Excellence, recognizing him as Microsoft’s #1 employee. Dave and his team created the original “Microsoft Office”.

He went on to lead Microsoft University, where his team innovated the Microsoft Certified Professional program and standards.

Like so many proud parents Dave’s will be in attendance on the 22^nd to receive this prize in his honour.

‘Peace and Reconciliation’ Magis Prize recipient – Dr. Jessica Senehi

Dr. Jessica Senehi is being presented with the Magis Prize for Peace and Reconciliation for her incredible endeavours and achievements. She is an alumnus of Syracuse University (M.S. and Ph.D.) and joined St. Paul’s College in 2003.

The Artistic Director of the Winnipeg International Storytelling Festival and member of the Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice at St. Paul’s College, Dr. Senehi is a faculty member of the University of Manitoba Peace and Conflict Studies program.

“My memories of St. Paul’s College are a whirlwind of meaningful moments of connection with others,” said Dr. Jessica Senehi. “At St. Paul’s College, people from around the corner and around the world, who gathered so many times for special events, where knowledge is shared, as well friendship and food: workshops with visiting peacebuilders from Metodo Rondine in Italy; Sol Kanee lectures, including those by Chief Oren Lyons, Izzeddin Abuelaish, and Pumla Gobodo-Madikazela. … These experiences and memories are an amazing gift and blessing in my life.”

Among Dr. Jessica Senehi’s many accomplishments, she is the first Peace and Conflict Studies professor at the University of Manitoba. In 2006, she established the Winnipeg International Storytelling Festival: Storytelling on the Path to Peace, presented by the then Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice.

“As Rector Christopher Adams described, St. Paul’s College is a wonderful gateway to the University of Manitoba,” said Dr. Jessica Senehi. “It is an accessible space where you can be part of a community and be grounded by the support and resources here. But, more than simply a building, the College itself is grounded by its values of service to others and respect for human dignity. It is also a place where you will influence through the knowledge you share, the people you inspire, and your own vision and initiative to shape life at St. Paul’s College.”

We hope to see you there

Our community is comprised of many accomplished people who unite to make it more extraordinary and give more to our community. We appreciate all the award recipients for their outstanding work and for allowing us to acknowledge them.

Join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals and showing our appreciation for their great works. The evening ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s College (Christ the King Chapel and Hanley Hall). Please, let us know if you are attending the event by November 14^th by RSVP’ing (204) 474-9148 or spcfoundation@umanitoba.ca

We look forward to those that join us for a wonderful celebration.

St. Paul's College