University of Winnipeg: Student Awards and Honours, June 2010

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This article was published 11/06/2010 (5660 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Medals for overall achievement

The Governor General’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in a Master’s degree — Karen Ridd

The Governor General’s Silver Medal for the highest standing in an undergraduate degree — Bryan James Robert Kroeker

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Arts (Honours course) — Janna Lorin Young

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Arts (Honours course) — Elliot Ben Hanowski, Minet Prinsloo

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Arts (four-year course) — Caitlin McKenzie Eliasson

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Arts (four-year course) — Brittany Alexandra Hilton

The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for the highest standing in Arts (General course) — Silvina Andrea Mohadeb

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Arts (General course) — Sandra Caitlin Smith

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Business and Economics (four-year course) —Laura Amanda Dawn Coffell

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Business and Economics (General course) — Joel Patrick Voth

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Business and Economics (General course) — Xiaobin Wang

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Science (Honours course) — Laura Michelle Horosko

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Science (Honours course) — Rebecca Helen Vanderhooft

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Science (four-year course) — Chen-Yi Liu

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Science (four-year course) — Madison Jade Young

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Science (General course) — Bryan James Robert Kroeker

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Science (General course) — Colin James Armstrong Popham

The Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in Education — Anne Katherine Laser

The University Silver Medal for the second highest standing in Education — Erica Kolomic

The O.T. Anderson Award (for distinguished academic and extra curricular performance) — Jasgurpreet Singh

Medals for achievement in an Honours course:

Anthropology — Amanda Reinisch
Applied Computer Science — Laura Michelle Horosko
Biochemistry — Harlyn Jacob Silverstein
Biology — Rebecca Helen Vanderhooft
Biopsychology — Larissa Robyn Scrimshaw
Chemistry — Daniel James Kozera
Criminal Justice — Janna Lorin Young
Dance — Emma Leotie Rose
Economics — Kunio Shimizu
English — Alanna Kathleen Stromberg
French Studies — Miria Dawn Olson
Geography — David William Capelle
History — Silvie Linda Alice Boisjoli, Elliot Ben Hanowski
Interdisciplinary Linguistics — Erika Brenner
International Development Studies — Patricia Dawn Hansell
Mathematics — Micheal Andrew Pawliuk
Philosophy — Carly Jill Scramstad
Physics — Jesse Bellec
Politics — Robert Brian Froese
Psychology — Sarah Reanne Cantafio Yachison
Religious Studies — Tanya Coleen Zeghers
Sociology — Angela Colleen Pauls
Student-Designed Major — Beorn Aragorn Thiessen
Theatre and Film — Kim Elizabeth Donald-Haverty
Women’s and Gender Studies — Sarah Michelle Dack

Medals for achievement in a four-year course:

Biochemistry — Jessica Lynne Clendenan
Biology — Madison Jade Young
Combined Major — Anita Joy Penner
Communications — Braden Alexander
Conflict Resolution Studies — Caitlin McKenzie Eliasson
Economics — Ashley Jansen
English — Andrew Arthur Eastman
Environmental Studies — Brittany Alexandra Hilton
Geography — Trevor John Johnson
History — Christina Piantadosi
International Development Studies — Allison Liese Dahl Enns
Kinesiology and Applied Health — Mandy Alice Marie Whitechurch
Physics — Chen-Yi Liu
Politics — Tobia Neufeld
Rhetoric and Communications — Alison Alette Sutherland
Sociology — Carolyn Roberta Ann Huebner
Statistics — Yaqing Liu

Medals for achievement in a General course:

Anthropology — Allison Liese Dahl Enns
Applied Computer Science — Jody David Gillis
Bioanthropology — Laura-Anne Marie Hasiuk
Biochemistry — Bryan James Robert Kroeker
Biology — Peter Mark Slivinski
Biopsychology — Benjamin Jwa Rogala
Business and Administration — Joel Patrick Voth
Chemistry — Caitlin Alissa Elaine Dyck
Combined Major — Brenda Diane Pankratz
Conflict Resolution Studies — Suzanne Marie St. Yves
Criminal Justice — Chantelle Renée Martens
Economics — Jonathan Cary Remis
English — Caitlin McKenzie Eliasson
Environmental Studies — Paloma Ann Lejohnna Corrin
French Studies — Lori Darragh
Geography — Joyce Marie Wolfe
German Studies — Nancy Estela Charles
History — Lisa Rose Richardson
History of Art — Roslyn Janine Stanwick as at October, 2009
International Development Studies — Alanna Bahiyyih Dixon
Kinesiology and Applied Health — Elyse Anne MacLean
Mathematics — Amber Yvonne Hagen
Philosophy — Brian Ward Griffith
Physics — Colin James Armstrong Popham
Politics — Jadah Rochelle Nerman
Psychology — Li Li Hong
Religious Studies — Abigail Karen Toews
Rhetoric and Communications — Erika Brenner
Sociology — Chantelle Renée Martens
Spanish Studies — Silvina Andrea Mohadeb
Statistics — Jing Wang
Theatre and Film — Chad Daniel Tremblay

Awards:

The Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba Prize in Business and Administration — Joel Patrick Voth

The Dr. Dan A. Chekki Prize for Excellence in Sociology — Elan Taylor Marchinko

The Bill Gadsby Pre-Service Teaching Award — Chantal Dian Marie Desmarais

The Ron Norton Prize in Psychology — Wan Wang

The Swiss Ambassador Book Prize for Distinction in French Studies — Michelle Frances Rosner

The Swiss Ambassador Book Prize for Distinction in German Studies — Olivia Jane Weigeldt

Honourary Degrees

The Honourable Gary Doer, former Premier of Manitoba and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States will be given an Honorary Doctor of Laws at The University of Winnipeg’s convocation this morning at 9:30 a.m.

Josie Hill, executive director of Winnipeg’s Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, received an Honourary Doctor of Laws on Thursday morning, and CBC radio host of Quirks & Quarks, Bob McDonald, received an Honourary Doctor of Science Thursday afternoon.

“These three individuals present an extraordinary range of talent,” said U of W president Lloyd Axworthy. “In addition to his decades of public service, Gary Doer has demonstrated a personal commitment to the unique role that UWinnipeg is playing in downtown revitalization and outreach to under-represented groups of students, including refugees and new immigrants, inner-city and Aboriginal youth.

“Josie Hill pioneered culturally sensitive community-based work in Winnipeg’s inner-city, assisting countless families.
“And Bob McDonald, with his infectious grin, makes everything from black holes to killer whales engaging,” said Axworthy. “We are honoured to welcome Gary Doer, Josie Hill and Bob McDonald to the University of Winnipeg community.”

U of W lauds Gary Doer as an ardent promoter of Manitoba and an unwavering supporter of The University of Winnipeg. Doer has spent his career in public service as union leader, head of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, Member of the Legislature, Premier and now, Ambassador of Canada to the United States.

Under Premier Doer, says U of W, the province of Manitoba helped make U of W’s Science Complex and Richardson College for the Environment a reality with a donation of $25 million to the University’s A World of Opportunity Capital Campaign and $7 million in additional support for laboratories, including a vivarium and greenhouse facilities to be constructed in the new complex.

Doer was also instrumental in providing funding for the repair of historic Wesley Hall and the revitalization of Spence Street for campus and community use, the school said. Both of Doer’s daughters currently attend classes on the UWinnipeg campus — one at the Collegiate and the other at The University of Winnipeg.

For more than a quarter century, Josie Hill has made an enormous contribution to Winnipeg’s inner-city. Credited as a champion of a distinctively Aboriginal way of doing community-based work, U of W officials say, she has proven that cultural sensitivity is essential in community work. Hill has built an exceptional record in the areas of Indigenous leadership, advocacy and community development.

She is one of the founding members of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre (Ma Mawi), Canada’s first major urban Aboriginal child and family support program — championing the concept of a community taking charge of their challenges and creating opportunities. Hill empowers those who experience barriers in our society by opening doors and welcomes their participation. Hill is incisive on issues arising in inner-city neighbourhoods and is a collaborative problem solver, says U of W. She is a mentor that has earned numerous awards recognizing her commitment to her people, to community and our city.

The host of CBC’s Quirks & Quarks, Bob McDonald is one of Canada’s best-known science journalists and author. His contribution to science literacy and his appreciation for science fosters public engagement. He has played a prominent role in promoting science and technology in Canada.

McDonald has made a career of making science accessible to Canadians of all ages by making science fun and fascinating. He presents a wide range of topics and scientific disciplines with a genuine enthusiasm. He generates awareness and curiosity while providing accurate information, says U of W.

McDonald is a regular science commentator on CBC News Network, and science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National. He has earned several prestigious awards in recognition of his ongoing promotion of science including the 2001 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion — 2002 Sandford Fleming Medal, The Royal Canadian Institute and the 2005 McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science, Royal Society of Canada.

Fellowships

The University of Winnipeg is recognizing The Honourable Raymond E. Wyant with a Fellowship in the University of Winnipeg and Prof. Rais Khan with a Fellowship in United College at its convocation ceremonies.

The Honourable Raymond Wyant, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, has devoted countless hours of public service and creative energy to The University of Winnipeg and the broader community, says U of W.

He served on the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents for almost a decade, from 1992 to 2002, and was chair of the board from 2000 to 2002. Throughout this period, Judge Wyant was a Crown Attorney and served as Acting Deputy Minister of Justice for Manitoba on several occasions. He won the 2006 United Nations Public Service Award for Improving Delivery of Service for leading an innovative, coordinated approach to processing domestic violence cases that earned national and international attention.
Wyant receives his fellowship today.

Prof. Rais Khan has had a long and distinguished career that spans more than four decades in the Department of Politics at U of W and has made significant contributions to the university’s governance. School officials point out that with his tireless dedication and breadth and depth of his knowledge, Khan has influenced several generations of students and colleagues.
During his tenure as professor, Khan contributed to the Senate and the Board of Regents, taking on key leadership roles and serving on more than 80 University committees. His peers have recognized Khan with numerous awards and he is highly regarded for his work ethic, research and scholarly activity. He was recognized with a Fellowship in United College Thursday.

Teaching Awards

Three University of Winnipeg professors, Alan Wiebe, Donna Young and Jeff Martin, are receiving faculty awards for their outstanding contributions to the university and the broader community.

Prof. Alan Wiebe, Faculty of Education, will receive the Clarence Atchison Award for Excellence in Community Service for his work in developing innovative mentoring programs for at-risk and gifted youth. Wiebe has been instrumental in building U of W as the only place in Manitoba that recognizes mentoring and provides credit for it as skill within the teaching degree program, U of W officials said.

“Mentoring is about developing a non-judgmental relationship,” said Wiebe. “We go on a journey together with students and they set their own goals. Achieving those goals is success. For students who are at risk of disengaging, mentoring is an approach that works.”

Prof. Jeff Martin, Department of Physics, is one of Canada’s leading young nuclear and particle physicist who received the largest research grant ever awarded to a Manitoba academic, for creating the world’s highest-density source of ultracold neutrons. He is also a team leader in researching a potential Manitoba solution to the shortage of medical isotopes, currently in development. He will receive the Erica and Arnold Rogers Award for Excellence in Research.

Prof. Donna Young, Department of Biology, has created several popular courses and is celebrated for delivering an education that meets high academic standards, with an enthusiastic teaching style that is friendly and engaging. She will receive the Clifford J. Robson Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is earned by gaining the respect, support and admiration of students.

Alumni Award

The University of Winnipeg Alumni Association honoured noted Winnipeg civic activist Nick Ternette (BA’67) with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

U of W Alumni Association president Del Sexsmith said: “The Alumni Council selected Nick because of his willingness to speak out, his community activism, and the strength of will and character he has shown in coping with his recent disability. We see him as a person of exceptional quality, and in honoring him we show our support and admiration for his life.”

A political activist, social advocate, journalist and volunteer, Ternette has dedicated much of his life to the fight for fair treatment and justice for all. For 40 years, he has challenged social norms and all levels of government through direct, participatory democracy, and in the process successfully refuted the notion that only politicians and insiders can participate in political debates and influence their outcomes, said U of W officials.

Born in Germany in 1945, Ternette immigrated to Canada at the age of 10. He grew up in Winnipeg’s West End. As a student at The University of Winnipeg he served as the assistant editor of The Uniter and became actively involved in the University community. He graduated in 1967.

For many years, Ternette has worked at Winnipeg Harvest in the areas of public education and advocacy and as a hands-on team member, preparing food hampers for families in need.

In 2009, Ternette became gravely ill. He spent several months in the hospital and lost both legs to amputation necessitated by flesh-eating disease. After his rehabilitation and release he adjusted to using a wheelchair. In a candid series of articles, he shared these experiences with Winnipeggers.In 2010, after countless speeches at City Hall, Ternette announced his retirement from city politics. He continues to publish his own weekly electronic newsletter The Ternette Report and is working on a variety of projects, including an autobiography. He remains an advocate for those whose voices may otherwise not be heard.

More details about UWinnipeg’s June Convocation are available at: http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/convo-spring-2010-index.