St John’s College fellowship News Archive

August 14, 2025 — 
St John's College is excited to invite student members, Fellows and staff to one of our most cherished traditions: Matriculation!  Matriculation marks your formal welcome into the St John's community, a celebration that connects you to centuries of members, Fellows, and staff who have been part of the College before you. Whether you are a new student joining us for the first time or a continuing member showing your support, this ceremony is a special moment to gather as Johnians and celebrate our shared community

June 2, 2025 — 
St John’s College is proud to announce that Dr. Jocelyn Thorpe has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Dr. And Mrs. H.H. Saunderson Award for Excellence in Teaching! This prestigious award recognizes a UM educator who has demonstrated teaching excellence and made significant contributions to the advancement of teaching and learning at both the UM and national or international level.  

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 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.

January 23, 2025 — 
Navigating new paths can be challenging, yet it can also lead to remarkable growth and success. Dr. Sarah Teetzel’s journey beautifully illustrates the importance of embracing opportunities that present themselves. With a background in Kinesiology and Chemistry from Western University, and experience as a competitive athlete, Dr. Teetzel initially aspired to work in Canada’s sport drug-testing lab. However, a pivotal conversation with her PhD supervisor changed her trajectory.

October 21, 2024 — 
The dedication to assisting students with their writing has been a long-standing commitment for Kathy Block, a St John's College fellow.

October 17, 2024 — 
The first Sunday of November is always a special time for the St John’s College community. It’s a time when we bestow honorary degrees in recognition of those who have made significant contribution to both St John’s community and the country. It is also when we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates as well as our scholarship and bursary recipients. For the 2024 convocation on November 3, SJC is proud to recognize Rt Rev. Helen Kennedy, Dr. Evelyn Forget, and Mr. Jim Ripley. Each of these individuals has had a significant impact on our community, whether as students, on the Council, or in our chapel.

September 24, 2024 — 
As written in The Conversation by Adele Perry, Director at Centre for Human Rights Research, Distinguished Professor, History and Women's and Gender Studies, and senior fellow at St John's college. Shifting the conversation from period poverty to menstrual justice is an important step. Menstrual justice is about ensuring that all people who menstruate be provided with the resources and infrastructure to do so safely and with dignity.

September 4, 2024 — 
In a collaborative effort to raise awareness about water justice and injustices, Senior Fellow and Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Arts Dr. Adele Perry spearheads an interdisciplinary research project titled “Just Waters: Thinking with Hydro-Social Relations for a More Just and Sustainable World.”

September 3, 2024 — 
Two UM professors have been elected to the Royal Society of Canada.