He tries to go to as many Bisons games and competitions as possible. And if he can’t make it, he’s sure to check out the recap. President Michael Benarroch loves the action—but being in the crowd is a highlight too.
“I always talk with people sitting nearby. Back in February, I was watching the basketball team play in the Canada West Championship and I met alumni in the stands who were Bisons when I was still in high school—so this was a long time ago,” Benarroch says with a laugh.
“But there they were, cheering as though no time had passed, and they told me how connected they still feel to this community. And I get it. This place is special.”
Since that game, he’s had many more standout moments. We asked for a list of UM notables from the year that was. In no particular order, here’s what he told us:
1. In spring, Benarroch was flying to Quebec for a Universities Canada meeting and, while in the departure lounge, Asper students going to Rotterdam for a business competition came over to say hello. Then a Rady Faculty of Health Sciences researcher heading to Strasbourg, France, said hi, followed by another professor going to Mauritius, off the coast of Africa. A few minutes later, Benarroch met two other researchers going to India and then saw a former Indian diplomat and UM alum whom he met there last year while touring the Institute for Global Public Health.
“I boarded the plane and it hit me—from here you can go anywhere. I know that’s an older tagline of ours, but it’s still true. I just thought that was so neat and special seeing so many people from our campus community going to all different parts of the world. We have such an incredible global reach and impact but we’re so humble about it.”
2. The Faculty of Arts Mainstage Production reimagined William Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. It was one of more than 100 arts and culture events that take place on campus every year.
“What a great opportunity this was to see students do a modern adaptation of this work. And afterwards they came out and talked about their show and it was really fun to hear their reflections on doing these difficult roles. I probably talked about it for days afterwards.”
3. UM signed four new partnership agreements with institutions across Morocco to advance shared research priorities in green energy and supporting cutting-edge innovation, sustainable development, health and Indigenous economic reconciliation.
“I have not been to my home country of Morocco since I was 3-years-old and it was so interesting to return to the place I am from. So this was a real personal joy and highlight for me.”
Rhodes Scholar Joel Nichols (left) and cast members of The Comedy of Errors (Photo by Leif Norman)
4. An intimate event celebrating UM’s 100th Rhodes Scholar Joel Nichols [BFA(Hons)/2023] as well as past recipients. UM has more Rhodes Scholars than any other university in Western Canada and Nichols was the first student from UM’s School of Art to receive this prestigious Oxford University scholarship.
“What made it so memorable was the scholars eagerly sharing how grateful they all were for the support faculty and staff showed them. They all spoke so highly of their time here and it made me feel really proud and grateful to be a part of this community.”
5. The announcement of a record-setting grant of $57 million to build two new innovative facilities on campus that will allow scientists to expand their vaccine and biomanufacturing research. This funding supports UM and its partner universities (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Calgary) in developing a hub to bolster Canada’s ability to make life-saving vaccines in the next pandemic.
“Such a large grant is a testament to how UM is a leader in global public health. This is a priority for us and we will continue to build partnerships to expand our ability to improve health outcomes for people everywhere. I have always thought our province and world needs more University of Manitoba, and it seems others agree.”
Researchers Feiyue Wang and Julienne Stroeve at the Churchill Marine Observatory (left) and Bisons kicker Maya Turner
6. The official opening of the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO). Years in the making, this research site gives UM and its partners unprecedented insight into the sub-Arctic’s fragile ecosystem, climate change and how Manitoba can responsibly develop Canada’s third deep-water port to transform our economy. It was the late Distinguished Professor David Barber [BPE/82, MNRM/88] who first envisioned this facility decades ago.
“Maybe no other university could have built CMO because it is so reliant on longstanding partnerships and relationships UM has with northern communities. My trip there had so many vivid moments. I saw belugas, a polar bear, northern lights—but it is the people I will remember most and how excited they are for the opportunities this lab will bring. I met so many wonderful people, including the parents of a UM med student from Churchill who plans on coming back to her hometown to help fill the gap for physicians in northern Manitoba.”
7. Bisons football kicker Maya Turner was announced as a Canada West All Star, making history as the first female athlete ever to be named an all-star in U Sports football. The herd had nine all-star selections, the most of any school this year and the most for the Bisons since 2001. (Our record is 15.)
“I probably had a skip in my step the day this was announced. I really do love the Bisons. I have so much respect for our student athletes. They have so many huge demands and they just excel in everything. It’s so impressive.”
8. The Winnipeg Foundation announced a $5-million gift towards a new, permanent home for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), to be built at Southwood Circle at the Fort Garry campus. A $40-million fundraising campaign supports the vision of Survivors for the building to be an internationally renowned place for all embarking on their own journey of Reconciliation.
“The event began with us holding up the memorial cloth that has the names of thousands of residential school students on it. Being a part of that, and then listening to Survivors, was incredibly moving and I am grateful for that day on many fronts.”
9. The Respectful Rematriation and Repatriation Ceremony. On June 3, President Benarroch publicly apologized for the university’s history related to the inappropriate acquisition and housing of Indigenous ancestral remains, burial belongings and cultural heritage. These efforts have begun at UM through engagement with community leaders and Elders.
“It was a solemn gathering and one I am deeply touched to have been a part of. It was a powerful day of reflection and learning and the conversations will be with me forever.”
Musician and songwriter William Prince (left) and Michael Benarroch with journalist and author Amanda Lang
10. UM added a new gem to Winnipeg’s arts scene with the opening of the Desautels Concert Hall on the Fort Garry campus. The 409-seat theatre’s inaugural performance had faculty, students and alumni taking the stage, including soprano Andriana Chuchman [BMus(Perf)/04] and folk singer William Prince [BSc/18].
“The whole night was perfect and William told this story about how much he changed in his time as a student. Apparently, he wasn’t the best-behaved student when he first arrived so he took a moment to thank all the people who helped him settle in. That got me reflecting on the journeys all our students undertake while they are here and it inspired my address at the next convocation.”
11. When Benarroch references his podcast, What’s the Big Idea?, he jokes that it is the number one podcast in the Fort Garry region. (It always gets a laugh.) But now there is some truth to it: the podcast won gold in an international competition and bronze in an international competition in 2024. Most recently, journalist and author Amanda Lang [BES/91] spoke to a sold-out crowd about the US election results and what they mean for Canada’s trade, climate and energy policies.
“The absolute highlight of doing this podcast is speaking with faculty and alumni. I was a bit nervous in season 1 because I had never done something like this before, but now in season 3 I’m way more relaxed and really able to enjoy the experience of hosting these conversations that go in such fascinating directions.”
12. The launch party for UM’s new Strategic Plan, Momentum: Leading Change Together. For the next five years this roadmap will guide the UM community in building a more socially just and prosperous future for Manitoba. At the party, interactive booths showcased how research teams are doing innovative things like creating coffee cups out of canola. There were even free samples of ice cream made at our campus dairy plant.
“This event was the first to pop into my head. It was just such a fun way to connect with so many people. Everyone was having fun and just enjoying the energy of our campus.”
A bonus in 2024: UM joined top universities from around the world that made the influential 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. Nine UM subjects now rank in Canada’s top 10 in their respective fields, up from five in 2023, with three subjects on national top five lists, up from one last year.
“This was a rewarding piece of news to get at the end of the year because our exceptional community of students and researchers—supported by the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our staff—deserves global praise.”
Revisit the stories of 2024 on UM Today The Magazine and UM Today News.