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Alumni Association Council

Who We Are

The Alumni Association is governed by a board of directors – referred to as the Alumni Association Council.  We are a small group of dedicated people that share a common bond through our education at the University of Winnipeg.  We are united by our desire to make a significant contribution to The University of Winnipeg community (see bios below).

Our Mission

The mission of the UWinnipeg Alumni Association is to build and maintain lifelong relationships between the University and its diverse alumni and to foster an alumni program that expands alumni networks and generates loyalty to our University through mentorship, support, communication and lifelong learning.

Connecting with Students and the Community

In a typical year, the Alumni Association puts on many different events, and are always open to suggestions. If you are interested in volunteering please check here for various opportunities.

Join Us

Council members come from all walks of life and bring a wide range of skills to the table.  To be a member of the Alumni Association Council, you must be an alumnus of The University of Winnipeg, Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE), The Collegiate, or have graduated from any of the UWinnipeg affiliates prior to 1968, such as Manitoba College, Wesley College, or United College. 

If you are a motivated individual with ideas about how to strengthen the UWinnipeg community we encourage you to apply to be a member of the Alumni Council. 

Council members serve for three years and are selected at the Annual General Meeting in September. The council meets on the last Tuesday evening of the month from September to May.

Alumni Association Council Candidate Application Form
For more information please contact alumni@uwinnipeg.ca

Board of Regents

The Board of Regents is the senior most decision making body at the University of Winnipeg and is mandated by provincial law. There are to be three alumni representatives. The term for a Board of Regent representative is 3 years. The Board of Regents meet six times per year on Monday evenings from September to June with an Annual General Meeting in June.

The Alumni Council and the University have the following expectations of the alumni representatives to the Board:
-The members will make decisions based on democratic principles and will be open and transparent about these processes, including the naming of Board or Regents Representatives and newly elected members of Council.
-The members will report regularly back to the Alumni Council on a rotating basis; the council expects a report from at least one representative at each Council meeting.
-The member will strive to relate the priorities and concerns of University Alumni to the Board when making decisions.

Alumni Association Board of Regents Representative Application Form
For more information please contact alumni@uwinnipeg.ca


 

Alumni Association Council Members 2023 - 2024

${name} President
Brent Corrigan (BED 79)

Brent graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1979 with a Bachelor of Education Degree and also holds a Masters of Education Degree from the University of Manitoba. He worked for 41 years in education as a junior and senior high school teacher and administrator, and as a sessional instructor in the University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Education. Career highlights include being the first principal of Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate after serving as the Chair of the Divisional Amalgamation Committee, as well as serving terms as the President of the Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers and the Technical Vocational Leadership Council. In retirement Brent has volunteered as a tutor for the John Howard Society and has worked at the West End Cultural Center. He is currently the treasurer on the Retired Teachers Association of Manitoba.

The Alumni Association Council President's page contains news, articles and items of interest to alumni.


${name} Vice-President
Ann Evangelista (BAH 22)

Ann completed an MA degree in Education, MBA, BA Degree in Developmental Studies in 2021, and BA (Honours) degree in Psychology in June 2022 at the University of Winnipeg. Ann greatly believes that being part of the Alumni Council is one of the best ways to give back to her Alma Mater. Ann works as an Instructor in the English Language Program at the University of Winnipeg. She is currently the Information and Communication Director of the UPAA-MB (University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba). She is also the lead advocate for WINCOM (Winnipeg Consular Movement), the call to have a Philippine Consulate Embassy in Manitoba. She currently serves in Winnipeg School Division as an elected School Trustee for Ward 9. Ann sincerely hopes that more alumni will get involved in the university undertakings. Please connect thru UWinnipeg Connect


${name} Past President
Judith Neumann (BAH 71)

Judith graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1971 with a double major in Psychology and Political Science.  She has been involved with education throughout her lifetime, having been employed with the Department of Education in the areas of Planning and Research and Post-Secondary Education.  Following this she was employed for many years with the Manitoba Association of School Trustees in the areas of Research and Communications.  In addition she was one of the founding members and President of The Association for Bright Children (ABC) of Manitoba. Now retired, she has the time and interest in helping the Alumni Council achieve its goals.  One of her particular interests is Mentorship and the wonderful networking opportunities that it can provide. She is married with two adult children.


${name} Secretary
Bryan Hobson (BA 92)

Bryan graduated from the UWinnipeg in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in administrative studies. He was the first in his Saulteaux Ojibway family from Swan Lake First Nation to obtain a university degree. For the last 14 years, Bryan has helped inspire Indigenous initiatives at UWinnipeg through his creation of the Bryan Hobson Fund, and advance education on-campus as a Legacy Circle donor. The fund that bears his name is dedicated to the Aboriginal Student Services Centre and the Aboriginal Students Council. As a proud alumnus, Bryan is taking on a more active role in our shared UWinnipeg communities in becoming one of our newest Alumni Council members. Bryan lives in Toronto, Ontario where he recently retired after a 30-year career.


${name} Treasurer
John Krahn (BSC 68)

John was awarded The University of Winnipeg Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006 for well-rounded excellence that encompassed professional achievements, significant contributions to community, and strength of character. He has a PHD from the University of Manitoba. Now retired, he was formerly the joint Head of the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine for the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Health Region. He received his first degree from this university and it helped in his development as a scholar and scientist and would now like to make a contribution of his time. He interest on the Alumni Council is to support students and all things scientific.


${name} Council Member
Fred Appel (BAH 85)

I received my Ph.D. in political theory and political science from McGill University in the early 1990’s, a Masters in Sociology from the Universite de Montreal, and my B.A. Honours from the U of W in 1985.   As an acquisition’s editor at Princeton University Press, a publisher of scholarly and general interest books based in Princeton, New Jersey, I have many connections with the global scholarly community and have worked with an array of authors, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Among my authors are Canadians who work in higher education across North America, who might be inclined to participate in alumni events or otherwise support work being done at the U of W. As a member of the Alumni Council, I am pleased to offer suggestions for alumni programs such as lectures and for ways to connect U of W faculty to scholars with complementary interests around the world.


${name} Council Member
Larissa Chubenko (BA 17, BED 19, PBDE 21)

Larissa graduated from The University of Winnipeg with a BA in International Development Studies in 2017, B.Ed in 2019 and PBDE in 2021. She was Valedictorian for the Theology, Education, Kinesiology, Physical and Health Education, and Marriage and Family Therapy convocation and received the University Silver Medal for the Second Highest Standing in Education in 2019. She is currently completing her M.Ed from the University of British Columbia (Society, Culture and Politics in Education stream). Larissa works as an elementary teacher in Seven Oaks School Division. Outside of teaching her academic interests are studying educational inequities and policy, decolonization, refugee student support, school-community outreach initiatives, and local community development. She looks forward to being able to serve on the alumni council and give back to a university that has had a profound impact on her.


${name} Council Member
Trisha Kulathungam (BBA 15)

Trisha Kulathungam is a visionary healer, psychedelic doula and entrepreneur. As a visionary healer, Trisha has dedicated the past 10 years to facilitating community building programs, curating several public art projects and deepening her career as a holistic wellness and addictions treatment provider. As a psychedelic doula, Trisha combines sacred medicines, massage therapy and yoga therapy to help her clients recover from addiction and trauma patterns. As an entrepreneur, Trisha founded a registered charity, The Higher Learning Foundation - a charity that facilitates mental fitness community programming, provides scholarships to students and facilitates public art projects. She is also the founder of a child care service, H’Om by HLF and a non profit that support adults seeking therapy and self care services, Metta Lab Inc. Trisha’s academic and professional training background includes a Business Administration Degree from the University of Winnipeg, the completion of her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, and private mentorship with expert holistic massage practitioners and yoga therapists.


${name} Council Member
Jordan Michael Smith (BA 14)

Jordan graduated from The University of Winnipeg with a BA in 2015.   He is a former varsity athlete with the Wesmen.   Jordan's connection and foundation runs deep with the University of Winnipeg. After graduating with a major in Sociology, he went on to join SkipTheDishes as a Senior Growth Executive at both their Winnipeg and Toronto offices. Here, he developed a passion towards community and technology, which led him to develop the peer-to-peer rental application RENTERII. Outside of tech, he is passionate about community development and the accessibility of entrepreneurship support structures - for students and residents located in low-income neighbourhoods throughout Winnipeg.


${name} Council Member
Kimia Towfigh (BA 17)

Kimia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg where she received the gold medal for the highest academic standing in both Sociology and International Development programs, as well as the University Silver Medal for the second Highest Standing in Arts. She holds a joint Bachelor of Civil Laws (B.C.L) and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from McGill University. Kimia is a licensed attorny in New York and Ontario, and currently practices corporate immigration law. Her research interests include sustainable development, access to justice, constitutional law and tax policy.


${name} Council Member
R.Dule Vicovac (BA 94)

Dule Vicovac graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1994 with a double major in Administrative Studies and Justice and Law Enforcement. While at the UofW he participated regularly on the Student Board. He also holds a Juris Doctorate after graduating from law school in the United States in 1999, complemented with studies at Oxford University and the University of Manitoba. His career is a combination of working in the United Nations in a peacekeeping mission with breaks in between working in private practice in Winnipeg as well as in senior legal and project management roles across various European Union-funded initiatives helping people displaced by wars and conflicts. One of his more memorial career experiences was teaching a class at the UofW. His volunteer work includes over 10 years as a Board member of the Canadian Lawyers for Human Rights and over 20 years of teaching dance and performing at Folklorama.


${name} Council Member & Alumni Association Council Board of Regents Representative
Dorothy Young (BA 75)

Dorothy was an educator (teacher, administrator, superintendent) for 40 years in public education in Manitoba. She has a BA from the University of Winnipeg, a B. Ed., M. Ed., and Ph. D. from the University of Manitoba, and Certificates in Clinical Supervision from UCLA. She was recently re-elected to a second three-year term on the Alumni Council. Dorothy has extensive volunteer experience within education, including President of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society; at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; the Grace Hospital, including co-chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee; at her church; Child and Family Services of Winnipeg West, including chairperson; and as a Director on the Board of CJNU Nostalgia Radio. She has won numerous awards including the Dr. J. M. Brown Award for her outstanding contribution to teacher education in Manitoba, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award for vocational excellence from the Winnipeg-Assiniboine Rotary Club. In her spare time, Dorothy develops policies, procedures, and reviews bylaws and constitutions for organizations. Dorothy was appointed to the Board of Regents in July, 2019 and sits on both the Audit and Risk and the Governance and Community Relations Committees.


Alumni Association Council Board of Regents Representatives

${name} Alumni Association Council Board of Regents Representative
Stefan Jonasson (Collegiate 79, BA 88, M.Div 97)

Stefan Jonasson is presently Editor of Lögberg-Heimskringla, an Icelandic community newspaper. Previously, he was a member of the professional staff of the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association for 24 years. Stefan received the University Gold Medal in Religious Studies in 1988 and the Governor General’s Gold Medal in 1997. He was a member of the Alumni Council from 2008 to 2014 and its president from 2012 to 2013. He was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2015. He is also a member of the Interfaith Roundtable. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 in recognition of his community service. Stefan lives in Winnipeg with his wife Cindy and they have two adult daughters.

${name} Council Member & Alumni Association Council Board of Regents Representative
Dorothy Young (BA 75)

Dorothy was an educator (teacher, administrator, superintendent) for 40 years in public education in Manitoba. She has a BA from the University of Winnipeg, a B. Ed., M. Ed., and Ph. D. from the University of Manitoba, and Certificates in Clinical Supervision from UCLA. She was recently re-elected to a second three-year term on the Alumni Council. Dorothy has extensive volunteer experience within education, including President of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society; at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; the Grace Hospital, including co-chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee; at her church; Child and Family Services of Winnipeg West, including chairperson; and as a Director on the Board of CJNU Nostalgia Radio. She has won numerous awards including the Dr. J. M. Brown Award for her outstanding contribution to teacher education in Manitoba, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award for vocational excellence from the Winnipeg-Assiniboine Rotary Club. In her spare time, Dorothy develops policies, procedures, and reviews bylaws and constitutions for organizations. Dorothy was appointed to the Board of Regents in July, 2019 and sits on both the Audit and Risk and the Governance and Community Relations Committees.

${name} Alumni Association Council Board of Regents Representative
Ruth Dickinson (BAH 18)

Ruth Dickinson has worked as a Business Administrator for 34 years, with 20 years at Reflections Dental Health Centre, where she is currently the Practice Manager. Ruth obtained a Bachelor of Arts Honours (Classics) in 2018 and Bachelor of Arts (Geography) in 2015, twice earning the Chancellor's Gold Medal for the highest standing. From 2010 to 2020 she also worked as a UW tutor, lab demonstrator, marker, invigilator and teaching assistant. She also attended Niagara College obtaining a Dental Assisting Diploma in 1989. Ruth served for two years as President of the UW Alumni Association, and is currently the Executive Committee Advisor for The University of Winnipeg Golden Key Chapter honors student group. Ruth was appointed to The University of Winnipeg Board of Regents in 2020, and also sits on the UW Senate. She is co-organizer of New Directions in Classics, a public lecture series out of the UWinnipeg Classics Department. Ruth was awarded the UWinnipeg Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship for her volunteer work. In 2023, Ruth received the St. John's Ambulance Life Saving Award, presented by Anita Neville, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba