Class Acts 2025
UÂ鶹´«Ã½ alumni are leaders in the community; scientists, writers, artists, politicians, business leaders, and entrepreneurs who expand knowledge and inspire innovation. Class Acts provides a snapshot of these achievements and is a great way to stay connected. Whether you received an award, changed jobs, joined a committee, published a book, or explored a new hobby, we'd love to hear from you. Please e-mail alumni@uwinnipeg.ca to be included.
Class of 1990 - 1999
Gibson, Rebecca (BA 98) received the Order of Manitoba, the province's highest honour. Partner and co-owner of Eagle Vision, Rebecca Gibson is an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, playwright, best-selling author, devoted mentor and advocate for equity, diversity and accessibility.
Jonasson, Stefan (MDiv 97; BA 88; Collegiate 79) awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for his steadfast dedication to The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ and significant contributions to both religious and journalist communities.
Class of 2000-2009
De Groot, Scott (BA(Hons) 07) curated the exhibition Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada's LGBT Purge at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. In January 2025, the exhibit, opened. Spanning 4,000 square feet, this blockbuster exhibit is devoted to the queer activism that dismantled Canada’s LGBT Purge and highlights the psychological and professional toll it took on thousands. This exhibit was made possible in part by a $145 million settlement from a 2018 class-action lawsuit by purge survivors.
Class of 1990 - 1999
Burke, Cynthia (BA 90, BA 12) Cynthia Burke is a certified environmental manager, and film industry sustainability trailblazer, who was part of the Love Hurts film production that was named this year's most sustainable film production at the 2025 Global Production Awards in Cannes, France.
Class of 2000 - 2009
Miller, Margaux (BA 09) In January 2025, Margaux’s TEDxÂ鶹´«Ã½ talk ‘Why You’re Bad at Online Networking’ was selected to be featured and receive its own page on TED.com. TED.com is the central platform where TED showcases selected talks to a global audience.
Class of 1970-1979
Class of 1980-1989
Corriveau, Guy (BSc 84, MPA 00) has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his extraordinary contributions and unwavering committment to Canada. He received the award on February 27, 2025 presented by the Member of Parliament for Langley-Aldergrove.
Krolman, Erika (BA(Hons) 81) after earning an M.A. in English from the University of Toronto in 1985, she worked as an editor of books and government documents. She stayed in Toronto, but is still drawn to Â鶹´«Ã½ and goes there often with her husband -- also a former Â鶹´«Ã½ger.
Longhurst, John (BA 80) has been named a Member of the Order of Canada. He is an author and freelance writer in the fields of Christian ecumenism and interfaith dialogue. As the religion columnist and reporter at the Â鶹´«Ã½ Free Press, he made it his goal to promote positive interdenominational relations, to reduce hate and to help readers see the humanity in every person.
Class of 1990-1999
Tweed, Patti (95) received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work with Cystic Fibrosis Canada for over four decades. In response to the award, Patti said “It has truly been a privilege to be in such good company over these many years. We have made great strides and precious lives have been changed in amazing ways. There is still more work to do, but we will not quit until no one in this brave, hard-working Cystic Fibrosis community is left behind."
Class of 2010-2019
Mushaluk, Genevieve (BBA 13) was named as one of ACE Burpee's Top 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans of 2024. A corporate lawyer by trade, Mushaluk became the first Manitoban to be selected for the iconic TV show Survivor in its 47 season history. She made it close to the finale.
Class of 2020-2025
Patinvoh, Regina (PACE 24) had the privilege of completing their internship with Loblaw Companies Limited; currently a contract employee with the same company as Analyst (Financial). The PACE program played a crucial role in equipping me with the skills and knowledge needed to excel.
Class of 2000-2009
Dow, Diane (BA 02, BEd 04) a teacher at Tyndall Park School, received the Teaching in the Early Years' Award. This award presented by the Physical and Health Educators of Manitoba recognized outstanding contributions to physical and health education in the province of Manitoba.
Waters, April (BA 04, BEd 04, PBDE 15) was named in Ace Burpee's Top 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans 2024. A true leader and advocate in both her professional and personal life; a teacher in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division, Waters was the recipient of the Manitoba School Boards Association President’s Award for exemplary leadership in Indigenous education.
Class of 2010-2019
Fainman, Adam (BSc 14) is Founder of Moonlite Labs. He and a team are launching the Moonlite Labs tool. When on the web platform, people can upload or record music and dictate AI-generated visuals to go alongside. The platform can pulse video graphics to song beats by detecting beats per minute.
Class of 1990-1999
Gazan, Leah (BEd 98)
Class of 2000-2009
received a Master’s of Arts, Political Science from McGill University where he won award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching as a TA. His clients at MediaStyle include MPs, national associations and labour unions and he wrote the speeches for the TRC.
Squires, Rochelle (BA 09) was appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of CentreVenture Development Corporation. Squires brings a wealth of experience from her career in public service. She served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Riel from 2016 to 2023, during which time she held several key ministerial positions, including Minister of Municipal Relations, Minister of Families, and Minister of Sustainable Development.
Class of 2010 - 2019
Blaikie Whitecloud, Tessa (BA 11) is a senior advisor to the Premier of Manitoba on the new Your Way Home: Manitoba’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, a strategy revealed January 2025 to move residents of local encampments into housing. Tessa is a former executive director of 1JustCity and CEO of Siloam Mission.
Carr, Ben (BEd 11) was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Liberals in the Â鶹´«Ã½ South riding, April 28, 2025. He was first elected in 2023 in a by-election after the death of his father Jim Carr who held the seat.
Lavack, Ginette (PACE 11) was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Liberals in the St. Boniface-St. Vital riding. She was previously the CEO Centre culturel franco-manitobain, and ran Festival du Voyageur.
Lilley, Evan (BA 20) is a 4 year Constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Class of 1990-1999
Kennedy Hern, Gillian (BSc 93) graduated in Environmental Science (gold medalist). She continued with an MSc from U of M Medical faculty, 1996, in Molecular Biology. She worked for Health Canada (Environmental Contaminants Bureau) in Ottawa as an Environmental Toxicologist, and as a science manager until retirement.
Class of 2000-2009
Pylpjuk, Christy (BSc 02) is the 2024 recipient of the in the Health Sciences category, in recognition of her research to improve outcomes for pregnant patients and their babies. She is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, and is using fetal ultrasound to better understand how early health risks can be identified before birth.
Class of 2010-2019
Class of 1980-1989
See Class Acts from 2024, 2023 and 2022 for more great stories.