The
University of Winnipeg (
U of W) is a
public universityA public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
in
WinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
,
ManitobaManitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
,
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and theology as well as graduate programs. The U of W's founding colleges were
Manitoba CollegeManitoba College was a college that existed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1871 to 1967, when it became one of the University of Winnipeg's founding colleges. It was one of the first institutions of higher learning in the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba...
and
Wesley CollegeWesley College was a college that existed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1888 to 1967. It was one of the University of Winnipeg's founding colleges.-History:...
, which merged to form
United CollegeUnited College was a college in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was founded in 1938 with the merger of Manitoba College and Wesley College . The college was affiliated with the University of Manitoba. In 1967, United College received a charter and became the University of Winnipeg....
in 1938. The University of Winnipeg was established in 1967 when United College received its charter.
Maclean's magazineMaclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
and the Globe and Mail newspaper consistently rank the university in the top ten of all Canadian universities whose primary focus is undergraduate education.
History
The U of W's founding colleges were
Manitoba CollegeManitoba College was a college that existed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1871 to 1967, when it became one of the University of Winnipeg's founding colleges. It was one of the first institutions of higher learning in the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba...
and
Wesley CollegeWesley College was a college that existed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1888 to 1967. It was one of the University of Winnipeg's founding colleges.-History:...
, which merged to form
United CollegeUnited College was a college in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was founded in 1938 with the merger of Manitoba College and Wesley College . The college was affiliated with the University of Manitoba. In 1967, United College received a charter and became the University of Winnipeg....
in 1938. George Creeford Browne (architect) & S. Frank Peters designed Wesley Hall (1894-5), which is now part of the University of Winnipeg.
The University of Winnipeg was established on July 1, 1967 when United College received its charter.
United College was formed in 1938 from the union of Manitoba College, founded in 1871, Yellow College in 1875 and Wesley College, founded in 1888. Originally affiliated with the
University of ManitobaThe University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
, United College received its charter in 1967 and became the University of Winnipeg.
Campus
As a university in the downtown of a large urban centre, the University of Winnipeg is playing a significant role in the downtown renewal. Recent initiatives, for example, include the newly renovated Canwest Centre for Theatre and Film and a recreation complex. A new western campus with three LEED Silver buildings has added significant capacity to campus and includes the state-of-the-art Richardson College for the Environment and science complex, a student and community daycare facility and a new student residence. In 2008, the university announced that Raymond L. McFeetors, Chairman of The Great West Life Assurance Company, had donated $2.67 Million for a dormitory to be built on newly acquired property west of the campus. The money came from his personal resources and from Great West Life.
A new building - the Buhler Centre - has also been constructed to house the faculty of business and continuing education programs designed by PSA+DPA+DIN collective a collaborative effort between Peter Sampson Architecture Studio inc, David Petter Architect, and DIN Projects. . Wesley Hall, a stone-clad brick structure built in 1894-95, is on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada
The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at the University of Winnipeg
The U of W was the first university in Canada to ban the sale of bottled water on campus.
Organization
The University of Winnipeg is a provincially and privately funded post-secondary institution with undergraduate and selected graduate programs, as well as a Division of Continuing Education and a high school division.
It has had six presidents since 1967 and one as an acting president for one year.
- Dr. Wilfred Lockhart
Wilfred Cornett Lockhart was a Canadian minister and academic administrator. He was the first President of the University of Winnipeg from 1967 to 1971 and was Moderator of the United Church of Canada from 1966 to 1968.Born in Dundalk, Ontario, Lockhart was educated at the University of Toronto...
(1967–1971)
- Henry Duckworth
Henry Edmison Duckworth, OC, FRSC was a Canadian physicist and university administrator.Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Duckworth received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1935, a Bachelor of Science degree in 1936, and a teaching certificate in 1937 from the University of Manitoba...
(1971–1981)
- Robin Farquhar
Robin Hugh Farquhar is a Canadian academic and former university administrator. He was President of The University of Winnipeg from 1981 to 1989 and President of Carleton University from 1989 to 1996....
(1981–1989)
- Marsha Hanen
Marsha Hanen, is a Canadian academic and former university administrator. She was President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg from 1989 to 1999....
(1989–1999)
- Constance Rooke (1999–2003)
- Patrick Deane
Patrick Deane is the seventh and current president and vice-chancellor of McMaster University.Born and raised in South Africa, he studied English and law at the University of Witwatersrand. In 1978, he emigrated to Canada, studying English literature at the University of Western Ontario. There he...
(2003–2004; acting president)
- Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Norman Axworthy, PC, OC, OM is a prominent Canadian politician, statesman and University President from Manitoba. He is best known for having served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien...
(2004 to present)
Academic
Students and faculty
Students at the University are represented by the University of Winnipeg Students' Association. CKUW is the student radio station based out of the University of Winnipeg. The Uniter is the campus newspaper.
Faculties
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Business & Economics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Theology
- Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Faculty of Nurses
Centres and Institutes
- Centre for Academic Writing (CAW)
- Centre for Distributed / Distance Learning (CDDL)
- Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR)
- Centre for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL)
- Centre for Research in Young People's Texts and Cultures (CRYTC)
- Centre for Rupert's Land Studies
- Centre for Sustainable Transportation
- Institute of Urban Studies
- Institute for Women's and Gender Studies
Athletics
The university is represented in
Canadian Interuniversity SportCanadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
by the
Winnipeg WesmenThe Winnipeg Wesmen are the athletic teams that represent the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. As an undergraduate school, currently the University of Winnipeg's Wesmen participate only in the sports of Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer in both the men's and women's side...
in volleyball, basketball, soccer, as well as baseball in the upcoming years.
Ian Scott has been the public address announcer for the Wesmen since 2004.
The Great Rock Climb
The brainchild of President Emeritus Dr. Henry E. Duckworth, a 25-ton granite boulder was placed on the front lawn of The University of Winnipeg on October 7, 1971. The Rock of Remembrance commemorates the 100th anniversary of Manitoba College, a founding college of what is now The University of Winnipeg.
The University of Winnipeg’s Great Rock Climb celebrates endurance and ingenuity. Teams of three students, faculty, staff, or alumni raced down the 50.3 metres (165 ft) from the steps of Wesley Hall to the top of the Great Rock in a test of physical stamina and defiance of earthly gravity.
The all-time record was set in 1979 by the Collegiate team when the trio reached the top in 9.8 seconds. Renovations during the summer of 2007 have significantly slowed the event, with a new record set in 2007 by The Caravaners, consisting of members Ian Scott, Drew Hawranik, and Alex Edye. 2008 and 2009 were repeat performances by The Caravaners, who become the only trio to win the competition in three consecutive years. They recorded a time of 15.19 seconds which becomes the current record for the event with a renovated front lawn.
After flying in from Edmonton to battle in the Great Rock Climb, Drew Hawranik had to return to Alberta without competing due to rain on September 10, 2010. 2010 becomes the third consecutive year that the Great Rock Climb has been delayed by weather.
Aboriginal Students
The University of Winnipeg offers several programs and services to Aboriginal people. The University of Winnipeg offers a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies with a Master’s Degree in Indigenous Governance. The University of Winnipeg provides special first-year bridging programs for Aboriginal students. Academic counsellors, tutors, and Aboriginal Elders are present on campus to provide academic and social supports. Through its Wii Chiiwaaknak Learning Centre, Eco-Kids Program and Eco-U Summer Camp services, the University of Winnipeg actively partners with Aboriginal communities. The University of Winnipeg is now offering the only Master's degree in Development Practice with a focus on Indigenous Development in the world, joining a network of 22 prestigious universities globally with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
Noted alumni
- Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Norman Axworthy, PC, OC, OM is a prominent Canadian politician, statesman and University President from Manitoba. He is best known for having served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien...
- politician and current UW President
- Tom Axworthy
Thomas Sidney Axworthy, OC is a Canadian civil servant, political strategist, writer and professor. He is best known for having served as Principal Secretary and Chief Speechwriter to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau...
- Canadian Civil Servant
- Omar Zakhilwal
Dr. Omar Zakhilwal , is an economist and a prominent politician in Afghanistan. He is the current Finance Minister as well as the Chief Economic Advisor to the President of Afghanistan. He is also the president of the Afghanistan Cricket Board.-Early life:...
- Afghan Finance Minister as well as the Chief Economic Advisor to the President of Afghanistan
- David Bergen
David Bergen is a Canadian novelist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has published six novels and one collection of short stories since 1993...
- Award Winning Author (B.Ed 1985)
- Bill Blaikie
William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC is a Canadian politician. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since April 2009, representing the Winnipeg division of Elmwood as a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, and Minister of Conservation and Government House Leader...
- NDPThe New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
politician
- Margaret Bloodworth
Margaret Bloodworth is the former National Security Advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.Born in 1949, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bloodworth is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law...
- National Security Advisor (BA 1970)
- Ruby Dhalla
Ruby Dhalla is a Canadian politician. She represented the riding of Brampton—Springdale in the Canadian House of Commons from 2004 to 2011 as a member of the Liberal Party...
- BramptonBrampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
LiberalThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
MPThe 39th Canadian Parliament was in session from April 3, 2006 until September 7, 2008. The membership was set by the 2006 federal election on January 23, 2006, and it has changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections...
- Chantal Kreviazuk
Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter of the adult contemporary music genre. She is also a classically trained pianist, and can play the guitar.-Albums:...
- singer/songwriter
- Margaret Laurence
Jean Margaret Laurence, CC was a Canadian novelist and short story writer, one of the major figures in Canadian literature.- Early years :...
- Canadian novelist and short story writer.
- Guy Maddin
Guy Maddin, OM is a Canadian screenwriter, director, cinematographer and film editor of both features and short films from Winnipeg, Manitoba...
- film director
- Don Newman - Award-Winning Journalist
- John Paskievich
John Paskievich is a Ukrainian-Canadian documentary filmmaker and photographer from Winnipeg, Manitoba.Paskievich's 2006 National Film Board of Canada documentary Unspeakable explores stuttering...
- film director and photographer
- Howard Pawley
Howard Russell Pawley, PC, OC, OM is a Canadian politician and professor who was the 18th Premier of Manitoba from 1981 to 1988.-Personal life:...
- former Premier of Manitoba
- Fred Penner
Frederick Ralph Cornelius Penner, is a Canadian children's entertainer who gives appearances throughout North America. His television show, Fred Penner's Place, aired on CBC in Canada from 1985 to 1997. It was co-produced by Nickelodeon in 1989 and 1990.Penner was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba...
- children's entertainer
- Lyall Powers
Lyall H. Powers is a professor of English at the University of Michigan, where he has taught since 1958. He was granted emeritus status by the University's Regents during their October, 1992, meeting....
- Professor of English, University of Winnipeg
- Susan Thompson
Susan Ann Thompson was the 40th mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was the first female to serve as mayor of Winnipeg and served two terms as mayor and held this post from 1992 to 1998.Thompson graduated with a BA from the University of Winnipeg in 1971...
- former mayor of Winnipeg
- Brad Roberts
Bradley Kenneth "Brad" Roberts is the lead singer and guitarist for the Canadian folk-rock band Crash Test Dummies. He sings in the bass-baritone range.-Career:...
- pop singer, Crash Test DummiesThe Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian folk rock/alternative rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, widely known for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts and his distinctive bass-baritone voice...
- Bill Richardson
Bill Richardson is a Canadian radio broadcaster and author.Richardson received his B.A. from the University of Winnipeg in 1976...
- CBCThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
radio host
- Erfan Nasajpour
Erfan Nasajpour is an Iranian-Canadian professional basketball player. He currently plays for Petrochimi Bandar Imam Basketball Club in the Iranian Basketball Super League....
, professional basketball player
- Sonia Sui
Sonia Sui is a model and actress in Taiwan. She is best known for her role as a fashion model under the management of Catwalk Modeling Agency....
- a model and actress in Taiwan
University History
- A. Gerald Bedford 'The University of Winnipeg: A History of the Founding Colleges' (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1976)
- Friesen, Gerald. "Principal J. H. Riddell: The Sane and Safe Leader of Wesley College." In Prairie Spirit: Perspectives on the Heritage of the United Church of Canada in the West, edited by Dennis L. Butcher, et al. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1985.
See also
- List of universities in the Canadian Prairies
- Higher education in Manitoba
Higher education in Manitoba traces the development and expansion of higher education in the Canadian province of Manitoba...
- Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
- Canadian government scientific research organizations
Expenditures by federal and provincial organizations on scientific research and development accounted for about 10% of all such spending in Canada in 2006...
- Canadian university scientific research organizations
Expenditures by Canadian universities on scientific research and development accounted for about 40% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2006....
- Canadian industrial research and development organizations
Expenditures by Canadian corporations on research and development accounted for about 50% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2007....
- Education in Canada
Education in Canada is for the most part provided publicly, funded and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments. Education is within provincial jurisdiction and the curriculum is overseen by the province. Education in Canada is generally divided into primary education, followed by...
- List of evangelical seminaries and theological colleges
External links