Dr. Susan Thompson lends her legacy to help support students
Fri. Nov. 18, 2022
A great deal of ink has been spilled talking about the impact Dr. Susan Thompson’s tenure as mayor had on the City of Winnipeg prior to the turn of the century. Her commitment to her hometown, through its struggles and successes, forms the basis for a great deal of the commentary voiced on behalf of Susan’s legacy. A woman of firsts, Susan’s historic election victory in 1992 and time spent as The University of Winnipeg Foundation’s first President and CEO are achievements that both hold a great deal of significance to Susan herself and those who admire her.
Now in 2022, Susan’s legacy has transitioned to incorporate her latest success—this time relating to her history as an alumna, and longtime supporter of students at UWinnipeg. The Susan A. Thompson Scholarship for Women in Leadership was inspired by Susan’s history as a leading woman in the world of business, politics and post-secondary education in Manitoba. Brought to life by close friends and now campaign Co-Chairs Elba Haid, Carol Bellringer, and Doris Mae Oulton, the scholarship has its crowdfunding sights set on raising $300,000 in donations. A staggering amount, but one which stands as a testament to the far-reaching positive influence Susan has had not only on those within the institutions she has served, but those she has helped indirectly as well.
As of November 14th, the fund currently sits at over $270,000. A figure that continues to grow thanks in no small part to the news coverage this exciting award has generated. Having been featured recently in the Globe and Mail’s business section, journalist Paul Waldie covered the growing charitable sensation with added remarks from Foundation Board of Directors Chair and keen supporter, Dr. Sanford Riley. In addition to this press feature, Susan’s story was also recently covered by CBC’s Marcy Markusa—an interview that highlighted the many challenges she overcame as mayor as well as her determination to successfully serve in a role she felt truly called to her.
Should you want to check out any of these stories, you can click below to learn more:
CBC video Interview: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2107310147650
CBC Listen Interview: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-29-information-radio-mb
For someone who now sits at the same post Susan took on for the first time back in 2004 as the Foundation's first President and CEO, it is both humbling and inspiring to try to follow in her remarkable footsteps. Our current growth both in size and scope can be traced back to the essential groundwork Susan completed during her tenure as President. She continues to be a mentor—a positive and encouraging voice who is always just a phone call away. I know I speak for all of us at the Foundation when I say how lucky we are to have such a dedicated and encouraging member of our campus community continuing to use her legacy to help support our students.
In service,
Javier