UM in photos: memorable moments that shaped 2024

Take a look back at 2024 through the lenses that captured its most memorable moments. These images showcase a sample of the remarkable people, places, and stories that help define the University of Manitoba, inspiring us to move forward together with shared energy and optimism.

These photos highlight UM’s impact—from ground-breaking research and community connections to student achievements. Whether through local outreach or global partnerships, 2024 offered many examples of collaboration, resilience, and growth.

Through UM’s Ongomiizwin Health Services, physicians travel to Manitoba’s northern and remote communities, bridging gaps and offering cultural care. UM Today The Magazine went along to see how this sprawling network is navigating ongoing challenges to health equity // Photo by Katie Chalmers-Brooks

Ties Boerma, a Canada Research Chair in Population and Global Health, was photographed for a feature about his partnerships with community to transform public health policy in India and northern Manitoba // Photo by Rachael King

Alum dentist Dr. Huma Sharief [DMD/14] was featured as a UM Influencer in 2024. She spoke about her outreach in underserved communities in her home country of Zimbabwe, where they don’t have capacity to graduate more than about a dozen dentists per year // Photo by Katie Chalmers-Brooks

On March 9 at the University of British Columbia, Bisons women’s volleyball win the first Canada West Championship in school history

On March 15, dozens of students, faculty and staff members were transported from the Brodie Centre atrium to health-care environments, just by putting on virtual reality (VR) headsets

Alum and headliner William Prince brought some nostalgia to the inaugural concert, sharing UM memories in between songs

UM officially opened the Churchill Marine Observatory this August in the northern Manitoba community. UM Today The Magazine was there to see how they’re exploring their future as a shipping hub, connecting the province to a global supply chain, as climate change melts sea ice in Manitoba’s subarctic // Photo by Katie Chalmers-Brooks

Dr. Benjamin Lindsey examines zebrafish in a state-of-the-art facility at the Fish Facility launch in November 2024, highlighting advancements in biomedical research at the University of Manitoba

Supaman performing at Mino-pimatisiwin 2024. Photo by Darcy Finley Photography for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Billy the Bison energizes the crowd during the Welcome Day pep rally in September, welcoming new students and building excitement for the year ahead // Photo by David Lipnowski

Sky Bridges, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation, hugs residential school Survivor Levinia Brown at the March announcement of a $5-million gift towards a new building for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the Fort Gary campus // Photo by Mike Latschislaw

The UM community spreads holiday cheer and Bison pride at Winnipeg’s Santa Claus Parade on November 16, showcasing school spirit with music, banners, and vibrant community engagement

Physics and Astronomy Senior Scholar Werner Ens captures a well-timed photo of the April 8 eclipse moments before peak coverage

View more memorable moments:

Gallery captions:

1. Bisons women’s soccer player Ava Memka scores her first U SPORTS goal on Sept. 7 at West Turf Field // Photo by Dave Mahussier
2. Opera soprano and alum Andriana Chuchman [BMus/04] takes the stage at the opening of the Desautel Concert Hall on Sept. 5
3. Brendon Virtucio learns about traditional medicine from Ecuador experts
4. The Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow dancers from the community participate in Jingle Dress and Grass dancing
5. UM’s dairy sciences pilot plant is made up of students from various disciplines who produce and sell their ice cream on campus // Photo by Katie Chalmers-Brooks
6. Arts student Temi Oyewole repping Bison gear and just hanging out on her phone like students do // Photo by Amber Ostermann
7. UM’s strategic plan, MomentUM: Leading Change Together was launched for the UM community on April 4
8. Bisons Football kicker, Maya Turner made history again as she became the first female athlete ever to be named an all-star in U SPORTS football after making 14-of-18 field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards // Photo by Dave Mahussier
9. Convocation (Bannatyne): In case you missed it, UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world with the number of grads in the class of 2024 reaching just over 5,500. Many of our 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.
10. Nearly 400 Extended Education students completed programs and graduated on November 7 // Photo by Mahendi Jain
11. UM President and Vice-Chancellor engages with spectators during the 2024 Pride Winnipeg Parade // Photo by Mike Latchislaw
12. Arts Career Round Table event brought over 70 Arts students and 9 Arts alumni gathered for the Arts Career Round Table, a ‘speed-networking’ event for students learn about the various career journeys of Arts alumni. Niall Harney [BA(Adv)/2017] and student Gurpahul Kaur // Photo by Rebecca Smith

UM TODAY STAFF