Winnipeg Free Press: UM’s Front and Centre campaign makes history
In-depth feature story illustrates impact of generosity from 62,075 donors
A message from UM President David Barnard on the Front and Centre campaign, published in the Winnipeg Free Press:
Gratitude. More important than ever.
These are uncertain times for all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented and all-encompassing, means we are facing new challenges accompanied by some uncomfortable unknowns.
While it is difficult to accept this new normal, I have found hope in the knowledge that we are all dealing with this together, and Manitobans, by our very nature, are a tenacious and kind-hearted people. During times of crisis we discover new ways to work collectively for the common good and on this shared journey, we find inspiration and gratitude in the stories of goodwill, of accomplishment and achievement, of commitment and community.
These are the stories of the Front and Centre campaign for the University of Manitoba. They remind us of what happens when everyone comes together with passion and generosity.
At the heart of this campaign are the 62,075 donors—including 25,806 alumni—who have put the work of University of Manitoba faculty and staff front and centre, magnifying their impact in our province and in communities around the world. This generosity was amplified by our volunteers—students, faculty, staff, community members and the President’s Campaign Team—who together have achieved something truly remarkable for our province. They are a reminder that even in such an exceptionally difficult time, we still have much to be grateful for.
The story of this campaign will unfold for years to come in emerging areas of research, in the outstanding experiences of our students, and in the revitalizing of learning spaces on our campuses, now made possible.
Read about gifts that came from far and wide, and that speak to what matters most to our donors. They will ensure our province becomes a centre of excellence for Indigenous education and research. They will champion scientists and scholars making discoveries that contribute to global knowledge, grow the economy and offer real solutions in an ever-challenging world.
They will have an impact that will endure far beyond our current crisis. They will inspire. They will shine a guiding light as we enter our new reality.
Thank you. Miigwetch. Be well.
See the full impact of the Front and Centre campaign in a feature from UM and the Winnipeg Free Press here.