Jennifer Cohen - Author, entrepreneur, fitness and health expert, Ms. Cohen received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Manitoba and a Master’s in Sport Marketing from George Brown College in Toronto, Ontarioand has emerged as an influential role model for the industry. The Honourable Janis Gudrun Johnson - Senator, community, environmental, and women’s advocate, educator, public affairs consultant, writer, political advisor, and cultural ambassador, received her B. A. (Honors) in Political Studies from the University of Manitoba, Paul Vogt - Clerk of the Executive Council & Cabinet Secretary, Government of Manitoba, educator and scholar, received his B.A. (Honours) from the University of Manitoba in Political Studies in 1983. He was selected as a Rhodes Scholar from Manitoba and completed a Master of Philosophy at Oxford University (1985) and additional graduate work at Princeton. Honourable John Reid - Information Commissioner for Canada, Government of Canada, received both his B. A. (1959) and M. A. (1961) in History before pursuing additional advanced work in History at the University of Toronto. The youngest member of the House of Commons in his first election, Mr. Reid served Canada as MP continuously from 1965-1984. Roger Léveillé - Acknowledged as “the leading voice of Franco-Manitoban literature,” has made multi-faceted contributions to literary arts in Roger LéveilléManitoba, Québéc, Canada, and France. General R. R. Henault - Received his B. A. from the University of Manitoba in 1992. He majored in Geography and minored in Political Studies. A member of the Canadian Forces since 1968, General Henault has led a life of service and accomplishment as pilot of Voodoo and Twin Huey aircraft; flying instructor; air traffic controller; staff officer (aviation) and Twin Huey flight commander; and project director for the Canadian Forces Light Helicopter project at National Defence Headquarters. Donna Dasko - Senior Vice-President of the Environics Research Group, who is one of Canada's best-known pollsters and survey researchers, graduated, with First Class Honours, in 1973, with a degree in Sociology. Martin Levin - Graduated from the Faculty of Arts in 1969, and went on to earn a Master's degree in English in 1973 at the University of Toronto. He has worked in a fascinating array of journalism ventures ever since. As the Books Editor of the Globe and Mail Martin Levin is amongst the most influential figures in Canadian letters and publishing. Paul Adams - Middle East correspondent for the Globe and Mail, has two masters degrees, one in journalism from Columbia University and the other in modern history from Oxford. He has an honours B.A. in history and political studies from the University of Manitoba. Prior to becoming a journalist, Mr. Adams taught Political Studies at the University of Manitoba for three years. Patricia Chaychuck - 14th Clerk of the Legislature, the youngest Clerk in Canada and the first female Clerk in Manitoba history.
2010
Gilles Hébert - Artist, curator, international project manager and director, Mr. Hébert was born in St. Boniface and received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Manitoba. Mr. Hébert studied History and Film at the University of Manitoba and later attended the Ontario College of Art and Design, then known as Ontario College of Art and has been actively engaged in the Visual Arts for over twenty-five years.
2009
Joanne C. Keselman, Ph. D. - Vice-President (Academic), Provost of the University of Manitoba, and Professor of Psychology received her B. A., M. A., and Ph. D. from the University of Manitoba. An accomplished researcher and prolific author in applied statistical analysis.
William Dempsey Valgardson, novelist, poet, short story writer, mentor of creative writing, and Professor Emeritus (University of Victoria). Winnipeg born and Gimli raised, Dr. Valgardson earned the B. A. and B. Ed. (English and Art) at the University of Manitoba, then completed the Master of Fine Arts (Iowa). His Icelandic heritage infuses writing that has introduced “countless readers . . .to the warm culture of a cold country.”
2008
Marcien Ferland, O.C., composer, choir director, educator, scholar, founder of Chorale des Intrépides, and co-founder of Mélo-Mani, received his B.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1964 before he completed an M.A. in French Literature (1965). He is accomplished in violin, trumpet, piano, harmony, instrumentation and orchestration, and voice.
Carol Gay Bell, O.C. - Founder, artistic director and general manager, Saskatchewan Express, received her B.A. in English from the University of Manitoba and a degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University (Toronto). Her passion for the performing arts and for her home province of Saskatchewan led her to a life of accomplishment in journalism, radio, theatre, and television.
2007
Elaine G. Ali, O.M. - Senior Vice-President, CTV Stations Group and advocate for women, received her B. A. from the University of Manitoba in 1974. Past President of Women’s Television Network (WTN) and Vice-President and General Manager of CKY-TV, Winnipeg’s CTV affiliate, she has been a passionate developer of opportunities for women in the broadcast industry.
John C. Courtney - Professor Emeritus, Political Studies (Saskatchewan), received his B. A. from the University of Manitoba (1958) before completing his M.B.A. (Western Ontario), M. A. and Ph. D. (Duke, USA), and earning his Doctor of Letters (Saskatchewan). Described in a review of his book Elections: Canadian Democratic Audit (2004) by University of British Columbia Press as “the leading scholar on the history, principles, and current practice of elections in Canada”.
Muriel A. Smith - Manitoba politician, educator, and human rights advocate, received her B. A. from the University of Manitoba and continued her studies at the Oxford Institute of Education (England). She served as member of legislative assembly (MLA), became a member of cabinet as Deputy Premier, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, and Minister of Labour and Housing. She has been a committed and powerful voice for women’s equality through her work with the United Nations Association.
2006
Marcia Kran - 2005 recipient of the Walter S. Tarnopolsky Human Rights Award, received her law degree (1980) and her B. A. (1987) with aMarcia Kran History major and Psychology (minor) from the University of Manitoba. Starting her career as a Crown prosecutor in Manitoba, she earned both an M.A. in political science (Toronto) and a diploma in social sciences (Stockholm) before she became legal policy counsel to the Justice Department, Government of Canada (1989).
2005
Danny Finkleman - He graduated with both his B.A. and his LL. B. from the University of Manitoba, and briefly pursued graduate work in Arts as a pre-Master’s student in Psychology, before he started at the CBC in the late 60s. His career at the CBC saw him in many roles—reporter and journalist, interviewer, commentator, co-host, and host—on many shows—Matinee, 90 Minutes Live (with Peter Gzowski), This Country in the Morning, Day Shift, and Danny Finkleman’s Saturday Show.
Constance Backhouse - A passionate and accomplished advocate for human rights. Currently one of only five persons to hold the title Distinguished Professor at the University of Ottawa and also Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre there, Dr. Backhouse received her B.A. (History) from the University of Manitoba, her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall, her LL..M from Harvard University, and her LL.D. (Honoris causa) from the Law Society of Upper Canada.
2004
Robert Houle - Artist, Professor, received his B. A. from the University of Manitoba in 1972. He majored in History and minored in English. His artistic works, which have included site-specific installations, have been exhibited internationally, including the millenium presentation of his works at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA)
Colin Robertson - Since joining the Department of External Affairs in 1977, Mr. Robertson has served Canada in numerous diplomatic positions and postings. He was a member of the negotiating team on the Free Trade Agreement with the United States, the 1st Canadian NAFTA Communications Coordinator, and the co-author of Decision at Midnight—a personal account of the NAFTA negotiations
2003
Sam Katz - Best known to Winnipeggers as the CEO of the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club and the driving force behind CanWest Global Park, graduated with a B.A. in Economics in 1973. Became the mayor of Winnipeg in June 2004.
2002
David Friesen - Businessman, Chair of the University of Manitoba Capital Campaign.
Betty Jane Wylie - Author, holds an Honours B.A. and a M.A. in English. She has published 34 books, has had 3 dozen plays produced, and writes poetry as well as TV movies.
2001
Pamela LeBoldus - Majored in English and History, and then began her career working in the areas of child care and adoptions. Her career has had many facets, including 30 years as an active volunteer in the City of Winnipeg. Her exceptional contributions to the governance and development of the University were recognized at convocation May 2001, when she was awarded the Peter D. Curry Chancellor's Award.
Anita Ross - Vice-President of I.B.M. in New York, who holds three degrees from programs in the Faculty of Arts, showed a remarkable facility in learning languages as an undergraduate, and went on to complete her Master's and Ph.D. degrees in French.
2000
Jim Kingdom - Managing Partner of ChangeMakers, and a winner of a number of international awards for excellence. Jim has won a Clio Award for a television advertising campaign.
Eric Wright - Premier Canadian mystery/detective-fiction writer.