The University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg, UW) is a

public research university A public university or public college is a university or college that is in owned by the state or receives significant public funds through a national or subnational government, as opposed to a private university. Whether a national university ...

Winnipeg Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749 ...

Manitoba Manitoba ( ) is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada at the Centre of Canada, longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's Population of Canada by province and territory, fifth-most populous province, with a population o ...

, Canada, that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and kinesiology and applied health as well as graduate programs. UWinnipeg's founding colleges were

Manitoba College Manitoba 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 t ...

and Wesley College, which merged to form United College in 1938. The University of Winnipeg was established in 1967 when United College received its charter. The governance was modeled on the provincial

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution ...

Act of 1906 which established a bicameral system of university government consisting of a senate (faculty), responsible for academic policy, and a board of governors (citizens) exercising exclusive control over financial policy and having formal authority in all other matters. The president, appointed by the board, was a link between the bodies to perform institutional leadership. The university is a member of the

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada Universities Canada (french: Universités Canada) is an organization that represents Canada's universities. It is a non-profit national organization that coordinates university policies, guidance and direction. Formed in 1911, as the Association ...

(AUCC), the

Association of Commonwealth Universities The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) was established in 1913, and has over 500 member institutions in over 50 countries across the Commonwealth. The ACU is the world's oldest international network of universities. Its mission is t ...

(ACU), the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID) and a member of

U Sports U Sports (stylized as U SPORTS) is the national sport 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 ...

History

The U of W's founding colleges were

, 1871, and Wesley College, 1888, which merged to form United College in 1938. In 1967, United College received a charter and became the University of Winnipeg. 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 1 July 1967 when United College received its charter.Bedford, A. G. The University of Winnipeg: A History of the Founding Colleges. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1976. United College was formed in 1938 from the union of Manitoba College, founded in 1871, and Wesley College, founded in 1888. Originally affiliated with the

University of Manitoba The University of Manitoba (U of M, UManitoba, or UM) is a Canadian public research university in the province of Manitoba.

Campus

The campus of The University of Winnipeg is made up of 23 buildings spreading over several full blocks of

Downtown Winnipeg Downtown Winnipeg is an area of Winnipeg located near the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. It is the oldest urban area in Winnipeg, and is home to the city's commercial core, city hall, the seat of Manitoba's provincial government, ...

, located directly on Portage Avenue. Over the past decade, the campus has undergone over 10 new building construction or major renovation projects. Through its revitalization, the University has become an engine for downtown renewal and improvement. The Rice Centre is the home of the university's administration and student services. The Buhler Centre was constructed to house the Faculty of Business and Economics, as well as PACE (Professional, Applied and Continuing Education), a division of the University of Winnipeg. The doors to the Buhler Centre opened September 2010. Designed by PSA+DPA+DIN collective a collaborative effort between Peter Sampson Architecture Studio inc, David Penner Architect, and DIN Projects. The Buhler Centre also houses the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art and Stella's Cafe on the main floor. UW Downtown Hostel Winnipeg - panoramio

McFeetors Hall: Great-West Life Student Residence is a student dormitory. It was partially funded by Raymond L. McFeetors, Chairman of The Great West Life Assurance Company who 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. The Asper Centre for Theatre and Film provides facilities for theatre and media studies. The Axworthy Health & RecPlex opened in 2014. It offers a range of sport and recreation facilities. Leatherdale Hall is a shared multi-use building Downtown Commons which is located on Colony Street is a 14-storey apartment complex that offers accommodation for students and others. Wesley Hall is a stone-clad brick structure built in 1894–95 and is on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada. It is located on 515 Portage Ave. near Portage Place Mall. The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at the University of Winnipeg. Specifically at the convocation hall.

Campus development

Campus development, by the University of Winnipeg, is headed by The University of Winnipeg Renewal Corporation (UWCRC), "a not-for-profit charitable corporation, spearheads and manages campus development." The UWCRC is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the University of Winnipeg and works to achieve environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability. Their mandate is to "apply he UWCRC'svalues, skills, competencies, and experience to non-University specific economic development activities. WCRCis mandated to develop wholly owned or joint-venture real estate developments and to provide development, project management and property management services to other post-secondary institutions, non-profit organizations and First Nations clients." The university president sits as the chair of the corporation and participates in its business partnerships. The structure of the UWCRC is unique in Canada as it allows the corporation to avoid being governed by the strictures of university governance. The corporation serves as "a primary engine for the redevelopment of Winnipeg's downtown", a task traditionally undertaken by government and the private sector, and not educational institutions. Recent initiatives include the newly renovated Asper Centre for Theater and Film, Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex, The Axworthy Health and RecPlex, McFeetors Hall (a new student residence) and the UWSA Daycare. A new mixed use 14-story apartment complex for students and the community began construction in 2015. The financial statements of the corporation are not publicly available under public disclosure legislation. The corporate draws its operating funds entirely from the university budget.

Academic

The University of Winnipeg is a provincially and privately funded post-secondary institution with undergraduate and a growing number of graduate programs including Canada's only master's degree in development practice with a focus on Indigenous development, as well as a professional, applied and continuing education and a high school division.

Students and faculty

Students at the university are represented by the University of Winnipeg Students' Association. CKUW is the student radio station based at the University of Winnipeg. The Uniter is the campus newspaper. The Student Services staff are represented by AESES.

Faculties

* Faculty of Arts (34% of undergraduate students) offers Honours degree programs in Classics (Greek and Roman Studies), Conflict Resolution Studies, Criminal Justice, Developmental Studies, Disability Studies, English, French Studies, German Studies, History, History of Art, Human Rights, Indigenous Studies, Interdisciplinary Linguistics, International Development Studies, Mennonite Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion & Culture, Rhetoric, Writing and Communications, Sociology, Spanish Studies, Theatre & Film, Urban and Inner-City Studies, Women's & Gender Studies. * Faculty of Business and Economics (14% of undergraduate students) offers undergraduate programs in Business & Administration, Economics, Economics and Finance. It also offers a joint program with Red River College. * Faculty of Education (17% of undergraduate students) * Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health (6% of undergraduate students) offers programs in Kinesiology, Physical and Health Education, Athletic Therapy. * Faculty of Science (19% of undergraduate students) offers programs in Applied Computer Science, Bioanthropology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Geography, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Psychiatric Nursing, Statistics. * Faculty of Graduate Studies offers a growing number of graduate programs. These include Masters of Arts programs in Applied Economics, Cultural Studies, Indigenous Governance, Environmental and Social Change, and Criminal Justice (as of Fall 2018), Master of Science programs in Applied Computer Science and Society, and Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy; Professional Programs in Indigenous Development, and Technology, Innovation and Operations. It also offers several joint programs with the University of Manitoba. These include Masters programs in History, Public Administration, Religious Studies and in Peace and Conflict Studies There are several Postgraduate certificates: Higher Education Teaching Certificate and the Postgraduate Professional Skills Certificate * United Centre for Theological Studies offers a variety of courses in theology. The Masters in Sacred Theology and Master of Arts Spiritual Disciplines & Ministry Practices are under review.

Colleges

There are three interdisciplinary colleges located on the campus: * Global College is an interdisciplinary centre designed to bring together students, faculty and international visitors in dialogue about global citizenship. It hosts a BA in Human Rights and MAs in Indigenous Development and Peace & Conflict Studies. * Menno Simons College is a centre for International Development Studies and Conflict Resolution Studies. It is located on the UofW campus and is a program of Canadian Mennonite University in affiliation with the University of Winnipeg. * Richardson College for the Environment is a modern science research facility conducting research in biology, chemistry, environmental studies, Indigenous science and the social sciences. It is one of the most energy efficient educational buildings in North America.

Research

The university has a growing research profile. Research grant income rose from $6M in 2015-16 to $12M in 2019-20. It has established a number of research centres including the Centre for Access to Information and Justice (CAIJ), the Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), the Centre for Research in Cultural Studies (CRiCS), and the Centre for Research in Young People's Texts and Cultures (CRYTC). It has

Canada Research Chair Canada Research Chair (CRC) is a title given to certain Canadian university research professors by the Canada Research Chairs Program. Program goals The Canada Research Chair program was established in 2000 as a part of the Government of Canada ...

s in Fundamental Symmetries in Subatomic Physics, Quantum Materials Discovery, Culture and Public Memory, Human-Environment Interactions, Health & Culture, Indigenous People, History and Archives, Environmental Influences on Water Quality, and in Indigenous Arts, Collaboration and Digital Media.

Reputation

In ''Maclean's'' 2023 rankings, the university was ranked 13th out of 19 primarily undergraduate universities.

Indigenous UWinnipeg

The University of Winnipeg offers several programs and services to Aboriginal people. It is the first university to mandate that all students take an Indigenous course requirement as part of their degree. The course was added by the University of Winnipeg in support and compliance with the recommendations by the

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC; french: Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada []) was a truth and reconciliation commission active in Canada from 2008 to 2015, organized by the parties of the Indian Reside ...

. 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, as offered by The Aboriginal Student Services Center (ASSC) on campus. 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. In 2012, the university named broadcaster Wab Kinew as its first Director of Aboriginal Inclusion,"UWinnipeg names first Director of Indigenous Inclusion"
University of Winnipeg, 4 October 2012. a position designed to oversee the expansion of culturally inclusive outreach efforts and program development in First Nations education.

The Collegiate

The Collegiate at The University of Winnipeg is an on-site high school that offers Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 programs. It is an independent school and a division of The University of Winnipeg. It offers an admission process intended to accelerate admission into first year university for Collegiate Students. As of 2018, there are 445 students at The Collegiate. The Collegiate was created within Wesley College in 1873. At the time it was the only secondary school in Manitoba.

Athletics

The university is represented in

by the

Winnipeg Wesmen The Winnipeg Wesmen are the athletic teams that represent the University of Winnipeg in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. As an undergraduate school, the Wesmen participate in the sports of basketball, volleyball, and soccer in both the men's and wom ...

in volleyball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, as well as baseball. The U of W built a new field house (" The RecPlex"), named after Lloyd Axworthy, adjacent to the Duckworth Centre that provides indoor soccer services and smoothies. UWboulder

The Great Rock Climb

The University of Winnipeg has held their annual UWinnipeg Duckworth Great Rock Climb for over 67 years. The rock climb is traditionally held at the beginning of classes each year, on the front lawn of Portage Commons. The competition involves teams of three racing from Wesley Hall to the granite boulder monument on campus. The team to run and climb the rock the fastest wins. The fastest record was made at 9.4 seconds in 1979.

Library, Museum, Archives, and Art Gallery

Th
University of Winnipeg Library
supports the teaching and research needs of the university community through consultation services, research materials access, and spaces for study. In addition to administration of the Library, The Dean of the Library manages a portfolio that includes the copyright office, archives, art gallery, anthropology museum, an
WinnSpace
the university's institutional repository. The library facility occupies the 4th and 5th floors of Centennial Hall, which was featured on the March 1973 cover of ''Progressive Architecture.'' The Anthropology Museum holds collections in ethnology, archaeology, primatology and hominid osteology which support the research, teaching, and public service functions of the Anthropology Department. The University of Winnipeg Archives preserves and provides access to the records of the University of Winnipeg, as well as aspects of Manitoba history relevant to research at the University of Winnipeg, including social justice and human rights. Gallery 1C03 is the campus art gallery, located in Centennial Hall. The mission of the gallery is to, "engage diverse communities through the development and presentation of contemporary and historical art exhibitions and related programming initiatives." The gallery shows Manitoban, Canadian as well as international artists. The gallery also works to develop, preserve and present the university's art collection.

People

Chancellors

Paul Thorlakson Paul Henrik Thorbjorn Thorlakson, (October 5, 1895 – October 19, 1989) was a Canadian physician and Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. Paul Thorlaksonwas born in Park River, North Dakota and grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba. He was th ...

(1969-1978) * Roderick O.A. Hunter (1978-1984) * W. John A. Bulman (1984-1996) * Carol Shields (1996-2000) * H. Sanford Riley (2000-2009) * Bob Silver (2009-2020) * Barb Gamey (2020-present)

Presidents

* Wilfred Lockhart (1967–1971) * Henry Duckworth (1971–1981) * Robin Farquhar (1981–1989) * Marsha Hanen (1989–1999) * Constance Rooke (1999–2003) * Patrick Deane (2003–2004; Interim President) * Lloyd Axworthy (2004–2014) * Annette Trimbee (2014–2020) * James Currie (2020-2022; Interim President) * Todd Mondor (2022-present)

Notable faculty

Tim Ball Timothy Francis Ball (November 5, 1938 – September 24, 2022) was a British-born Canadian public speaker and writer who was a professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg from 1971 until his retirement in 1996. Ball th ...

. geographer and public speaker * Bill Blaikie, former politician, leader of the

New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party (NDP; french: Nouveau Parti démocratique, NPD) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic: * * * * * * * * * * * * ...

and adjunct professor of Theology and Politics * Cal Botterill,

sports psychologist Sport psychology was defined by the European Federation of Sport in 1996, as the study of the psychological basis, processes, and effects of sport. Otherwise, sport is considered as any physical activity where the individuals engage for competi ...

* Jennifer S.H. Brown, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair for Aboriginal Peoples in an Urban and Regional Context and Fellow of the

Royal Society of Canada The Royal Society of Canada (RSC; french: Société royale du Canada, SRC), also known as the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada (French: ''Académies des arts, des lettres et des sciences du Canada''), is the senior national, bil ...

* Nora Decter, novelist *

Mark Golden Mark Golden (August 6, 1948 – April 9, 2020) was a Canadian academic. At the time of his death he was professor emeritus in the Department of Classics at the University of Winnipeg. Golden received his BA, MA, and PhD all from University of ...

, historian *

Trudy Govier Trudy Rose Govier (born August 3, 1944) is a Canadian philosopher known for her work in informal logic and argumentation. She is the author of the influential text ''A Practical Study of Argument''. She has also been a frequent commentator in Ca ...

, philosopher * Catherine Hunter, poet, novelist and professor of creative writing * Wab Kinew, broadcaster and politician * Sandra Kirby, sociologist * Royden Loewen, scholar in the field of Mennonite history * Arthur R. M. Lower, historian * Ian MacPherson, historian * Diane McGifford, historian and politician *

Hope McIntyre Hope McIntyre is a Canadian playwright, theatre creator, and professor. She was the founding artistic director of Sarasvati Productions and served as the company's artistic director until 2020. Early life and education McIntyre was born and r ...

, playwright *

Marilou McPhedran Marilou McPhedran (born July 22, 1951) is a Canadian lawyer and human rights advocate. In October 2016, McPhedran was named to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sit as an independent. She was the Principal (dean) of the ...

, lawyer * Michael D. Mehta, environmental social scientist * Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar, astrophysicist, science educator *

Ortrud Oellermann Ortrud R. Oellermann is a South African mathematician specializing in graph theory. She is a professor of mathematics at the University of Winnipeg. Education and career Oellermann was born in Vryheid. She earned a bachelor's degree, ''cum laude ...

, mathematician * Lara Rae, an instructor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies *

Al Reimer Elmer E. 'Al' Reimer (1927-2015) was a Mennonite writer from Steinbach, Manitoba. Reimer was an important literary critic and writer in the emergence of southern Manitoba Mennonite literature during the 1970s and 80s. Born in Landmark, Manitoba, R ...

, literary critic * Mavis Reimer, Canada Research Chair in Young People’s Texts and Cultures, 2005-2015 * Michael Weinrath, founding chair (2004 to 2012) of Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Criminology, inaugural director (2013) of the Justice Research Institute * Albert Welter, scholar of Buddhism * Jenny Heijun Wills, creative writer *

Robert J. Young Robert J. Young (born 1942) is a Canadian historian and former professor of history at the University of Winnipeg (1968–2008). He specializes in 20th century European international politics. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan and the Lo ...

, historian

Notable alumni

* Ida Albo – businessperson * Lloyd Axworthy – politician and former UW President, Nobel prize nominee *

Tom Axworthy Thomas Sidney Axworthy, (born May 23, 1947) 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. Axwort ...

– Canadian Civil Servant * Omar Zakhilwal – Afghan Finance Minister as well as the Chief Economic Advisor to the President of Afghanistan * David Bergen – Award-winning author (BEd 1985) * Bill Blaikie – New Democratic

Member of Parliament A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members o ...

and provincial cabinet minister *

Margaret Bloodworth Margaret Bloodworth, CM (born 1949) is a Canadian lawyer and civil servant. 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 Univer ...

– National Security Advisor (BA 1970) * Alan Cross - radio personality * Ruby Dhalla – Liberal Member of Parliament * Jaimie Isaac - artist and curator *

Chantal Kreviazuk Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk (; born May 18, 1974) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist. Born in Winnipeg, she played music from a young age before signing with Columbia Records in the 1990s. Her debut studio album, '' Under These ...

– singer/songwriter * Margaret Laurence – Canadian novelist and short-story writer *

Guy Maddin Guy Maddin (born February 28, 1956) is a Canadian screenwriter, director, author, cinematographer, and film editor of both features and short films, as well as an installation artist, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since completing his first film i ...

– film director * Don Newman – Award-winning journalist * John Paskievich – film director and photographer * Howard Pawley – former Premier of Manitoba * Fred Penner – children's entertainer *

Madison Thomas Madison Thomas is an independent film and television writer and director from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She is most noted for her 2022 documentary film '' Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On.'' Career Thomas' debut feature film was the post-apoc ...

– filmmaker *

Susan Thompson Susan Ann Thompson was the 40th mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was born on 12 April 1947. She was the first woman to serve as mayor of Winnipeg, serving two terms from 1992 to 1998. Thompson graduated with a BA from the University of Winnip ...

– former mayor of Winnipeg *

Brad Roberts Bradley Kenneth Roberts (born January 10, 1964) is the lead singer and guitarist for the Canadian folk-rock band Crash Test Dummies. He sings in the bass-baritone range. The band is best known internationally for their 1993 album God Shuffl ...

– pop singer, Crash Test Dummies * Bill Richardson – CBC radio host *

Erfan Nasajpour Erfan Nasajpour ( fa, عرفان نساجپور, born 21 March 1984) is an Iranian-Canadian retired professional basketball player. He played his whole career in the Iranian Basketball Super League. Early life Nasajpour was born in Iran and im ...

– professional basketball player * Andrea Slobodian – reporter *

Sonia Sui use both this parameter and , birth_date to display the person's date of birth, date of death, and age at death) --> , death_place = , death_cause = , body_discovered = , resting_place = , resting_place_coordinates ...

– a model and actress in Taiwan * Lois Wilson – first female Moderator of the United Church of Canada *

Vic Toews Victor Toews (; born September 10, 1952) is a Paraguayan-Canadian politician and jurist. Toews is a judge of the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba. He represented Provencher in the House of Commons of Canada from 2000 until his resignation on ...

– Former Conservative MP and held different positions in Cabinet, Manitoba Judge * Dave Weasel - Comedian * Colleen Dell - Public sociologist

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.

References

External links

*
The University of Winnipeg Students' Association

University of Winnipeg's Division of Continuing Education
* The Directory of Canadian Universities �

{{DEFAULTSORT:University Of Winnipeg Universities and colleges in Winnipeg