The Professor of the Year award was given annually to a professor in the Faculty of Arts who had best exemplified outstanding teaching, outstanding research (appropriate to his or her rank) and who had an exemplary record of service. The award was given from 2001 to 2012.

2012

Lorna Jakobson, Professor, Department of Psychology

The Professor of the Year Award is given annually to a professor in the Faculty of Arts who best exemplifies outstanding teaching, research and service. This year’s award winner, Dr. Lorna Jackobson, excels in all three areas. Her graduate and undergraduate students describe Dr. Jakobson’s teaching style as animated and enthusiastic, compassionate, involved and supportive. She is described by one student as a professor who challenges students to “think critically, to think outside the box, to think beyond the now, and to take risks”. Her colleagues in the department have also noted her contribution to teaching with the 2005 Department of Psychology Teaching Award. Dr. Jakobson is also recognized as a prolific and internationally renowned researcher in the area of pediatric neuropsychology, human cognition, and the development of visual motor processing. Her research addresses issues related to the development of perceptual, motor and cognitive capacities of children. She has received dozens of research grants, including several awards from NSERC and CIHR. The University recognized her research contributions with the 2001 Rh Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scholarship and Research in the Natural Sciences. While she has published in dozens of major international journals, she makes an effort to make her research accessible to the public by participating and volunteering with several organizations including Manitoba Families for Effective Autism Treatment, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. In 2002, she was awarded the University of Manitoba Outreach Award in recognition of her dedication to service. Dr. Jakobson is a rare professor who shines in teaching, research and service in equal measure.

2010:

Myroslav Shkandrij, Professor, German and Slavic Studies
International authority in Ukrainian Literature and Culture, Dr. Shkandrij has made longstanding, consistently excellent contributions to research, teaching, service, and outreach that are exemplified during the past year. Shkrandij is described as “a remarkable teacher, an exceptionally successful administrator, and one of the most influential and active members of the Ukrainian community in and outside Winnipeg.” Among a number of publications and presentations in the past year, his third book — Jews in Ukrainian Culture: Representation and Identity (2009, Yale University Press) showcases his original and meticulous scholarship and his profound commitment to support discussion as an avenue for understanding and change. Acclaimed as a ground-breaking exploration of this topic, it has prompted important public dialogue on Jewish-Ukrainian relations. Shkandrij seamlessly interweaves his scholarship and his teaching. His students identify his skill at developing an atmosphere of trust in “open and dynamic” classes and seminars that lays the foundation for extraordinary student learning and intellectual and personal growth. A student wrote, “. . . [he] made me feel like a fellow scholar with whom he was exploring ideas, rather than a . . . student to whom he was patiently listening.” Shkandrij has sustained his service to his Department, Faculty, University, and the community outside the University in quality and quantity. His colleagues describe him as an inspiring leader who moderates difficult discussions, values contributions of others, and problem-solves effectively. Colleagues and students use the words honesty, kindness, and modesty to describe his interactions with them. With the many demands of scholarship, teaching, and university service, Shkandrij’s work and impact in outreach is remarkable. An active member of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies and the Canadian Association of Slavists, he has promoted Slavic Studies throughout North America. In the 3rd exhibit he has organized as curator at the Winnipeg Art Gallery — Futurism and After: David Burliuk, 1882 – 1967, he gave both Winnipeggers and New Yorkers a “unique opportunity of following the evolution of the [progenitor] of ‘Ukrainian and Russian Futurism.’

2009:

Judith G. Chipperfield, Professor, Psychology
Internationally recognized authority on psychological aspects of health and illness in later life, Dr. Chipperfield’s past year mirrors her sustained excellence in research, teaching, and service.  Currently she is the principal investigator on a large Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant and co-investigator on major grants from the Community-University Research Alliance and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. In the same period she has published (or in press) 11 peer-reviewed scholarly papers as either principal or co-author in the premier journals in aging, health, and psychology, and at the time of her nomination had an additional 8 manuscripts either under review or in preparation. She serves on the editorial board or as ad hoc reviewer for several prominent scholarly periodicals in psychology and aging. She is an inspiring leader and a generous team player, a scholar who bridges the too prevalent divides between disciplines, and an unfailing mentor of colleagues and students alike. As one nominator wrote, “Judy was a turning point in my life. . .” and influenced not only her students’ career development, but also the manner in which they, in turn, promote positive, professional development of their own students. She is a versatile teaching professor and has excelled in large enrollment undergraduate psychology teaching and in small honours seminars. She has also been extremely active in service to Psychology, Arts, the University, and her discipline, including her work on the local organizing committee for the annual meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, meeting next year in Winnipeg.

2008:

Lori Wilkinson, Associate Professor, Sociology
An internationally recognized authority on immigration and refugee studies, in particular, of immigrant youths’ adaptation to Canadian economic and educational experience, Dr. Wilkinson’s past year underscores the leadership in research, teaching, and service that is her hallmark. Her research, now extending to later-generation immigrants and Aboriginal peoples of Canada, was described as “provocative and elegantly written” and has been showcased nationally “as the kind of clear, concise and policy relevant research that other scholars might aspire toward.”
Principal investigator for this year’s inaugural awarding of the SSHRCC/Metropolis grant to extend her work cross-provincially, Dr. Wilkinson also received inaugural funding from the Global Peace and Security Fund and the Canadian International Development Agency to bring the Canadian Ethnic Studies Biennial Conference–Ethnicity, Civil Society, and Public Policy–to Winnipeg. Her colleagues and students note her skill and generosity as a collaborator, mentor and teacher. Described by a colleague as a “warm demander” with “an uncompromising commitment to students mastering. . . the principles and practices of survey methods,” Dr. Wilkinson is well known to go to “endless lengths to support student work. . .with good-natured advice and encouragement.” Her students mirror this esteem not only in the outstanding evaluations of her teaching, but also in their recognition of her continuing support of both graduate and undergraduate students in attaining their professional goals.
Dr. Wilkinson’s extensive service—to her Department, Faculty, University, community, and profession—stands as exemplary on its own, but as extraordinary in the context of her outstanding contributions to scholarship and to her students this year.

2007:

Dr. Murray Singer, Professor, Psychology
A recognized international authority on human cognition, especially language processes, Dr. Singer’s past year is a lucid snapshot of his contributions to scholarship, teaching/mentoring, and service throughout his career at Manitoba. His colleagues and students note his exceptional efforts in making this Spring’s Symposium on Language and Memory at Manitoba (SLAMM) a showcase for local and international scholarship in cognitive science; his current (and continuing) success in achieving significant federal funding for his landmark work in language comprehension and text processing; his communication of this work through scholarly publications, presentations, and invited addresses; his abiding mentorship of student success through research and teaching; and his consistently high level of service to his profession, Department, Faculty, and University. His graduate students underscore the profound, positive influence Dr. Singer has had in their career development. They note that he provides immediate opportunities for meaningful collaborations, while he underpins their efforts “with rigorous background training in . . .design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation.” Immediate Past-President of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Sciences, Dr. Singer continued in 2006-7 to focus international attention on his Department, Faculty, and University.

2006:

Mark Lawall, Classics
Recognized as a leading international authority "in the material and economic culture of the ancient Mediterranean world," especially Greek pottery and transport amphoras, and in the practice of good teaching, Dr. Lawall’s performance in teaching, research, and service is described by a colleague as "nothing short of exemplary, even inspirational." Students cite his outstanding interpersonal skills as a strong complement to his innovative instruction methods and comment on their experience with him as focusing them on careers in classical Greek or Roman civilization. As President of the Winnipeg Society of the Archaelogical Institute of America, he successfully fosters an ongoing partnership between the University and the wider community as he has also done for all Canadian archaeologists in his work for the Canadian Archaelogical Institute in Athens. A marathon runner by avocation, Dr. Lawall has extraordinary energy and dedication to his scholarship, students, discipline, and communities. To quote a colleague, "he is a paragon and an ornament to the faculty."

2005:

Dr. Garry L. Martin, Psychology, is internationally recognized as a leader in research in developmental disabilities and autism, applied behaviour analysis, and sport psychology, and in its application. He is a gifted teacher and mentor of undergraduates, graduates, and other colleagues. Cited as both “amazing and inspiring” as a professor and as “a gift” to his students, he has had a profound and lasting influence on improving the quality of life of persons living with disabilities, locally, nationally, and internationally. Whether working at St. Amant Centre, founding the applied behaviour analysis specialty in Psychology at the University of Manitoba, or consulting with colleagues and members of the community at large, he demonstrates tireless energy and sincere commitment. Author/coauthor of numerous journal articles, books, and conference presentations, recipient of major research funding for his work, he has been honored previously with the Rh Institute Award, the Campbell Outreach Award, and as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, among other honours. As one colleague notes, “Garry [is] a modest, warm, and caring person. . .who relishes in others’ successes before his own. . .values [that] are not found in his course syllabi, grant proposals, or publications, but in his behaviours and interactions with others.”

2004:

George Toles, Film Studies Program
A highlight of the annual Arts Celebrating Arts event held October 1/04, was the presentation to Dr. Toles for his outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and service to the university and wider community.
Described as “a scholar of astonishing breadth and erudition, who writes about film, literature and drama with passionate and witty incisiveness, “ Dr. Toles is also an outstanding teacher, mentor and undergraduate/graduate thesis supervisor. He has contagious dynamism, high expectations and standards for what both he and his students bring to the learning experience, and boundless energy to teach, write screenplays and film criticism, contribute to service committees, and maintain an open-door policy for students and colleagues. He is “a man who is continually recharged by his own career.” His scholarly and creative works ensure his prominence locally, nationally, and internationally, including his book—A House Made of Light: Essays on the Art of Film—and his screenplay of The Saddest Music in the World.
 

2003:

Louise Renée, Department of French Spanish & Italian, was named as Faculty of Arts Professor of the Year for 2002-2003. This award, established in 1999, is given annually to a professor in Arts who has best exemplified both outstanding teaching and outstanding research, and who has an exemplary record of service.
Professor Renée has been described by her students as “in every sense of the word, extraordinary,” a teacher who “not only teaches French as a language that encompasses more than verbs and grammar rules,” but one who is “patiently and painstakingly carving out a space within the university in which feminism and humanism are not only embraced, but in which they are celebrated.” She was the winner, in May 2003, of an “Outstanding Teacher Award,” as recognized by an outstanding graduating student.
Professor Renée’s current research focuses on an examination of how Simone de Beauvoir’s original use of space metaphors allows her to develop a feminist ethic that is extremely relevant today since it calls for an unequivocal rejection of oppression and, in particular, the oppression of women. Dr. Renée has an outstanding record of service to her department, faculty, and to the university, including the co-chairmanship for the past two years of the University’s United Way Campaign. Professor Renée will be presented with a certificate acknowledging her many achievements at Arts Celebrating Arts on September 19.

2002:

Lance Roberts, Department of Sociology
Professor Roberts was presented with a certificate acknowledging his achievements at Arts Celebrating Arts on September 20. He has been the lead researcher on an 11-nation study funded by both Canadian and German funding bodies. He specializes in innovative teaching methodologies and techniques, and has a high degree of participation in a variety of service activities both within the University and the wider community. In 2001 he was a recipient of a University Outreach Award. 

2001:

Peter Bailey, Department of History.
Professor Peter Bailey is the foremost historian in his field of Victorian and Modern social and cultural history. His first book, Leisure and Class in Victorian England: Rational Recreation and the Contest for Control, 1830-1885, published in 1978 and reprinted in 1987, was widely recognized as path-breaking, and equally widely praised for its cogency and wit. It, along with his many articles, continues to shape virtually every new scholar's view of the subject. His recent collection of essays, Popular Culture and Performance in the Victorian City, published by Cambridge University Press, has been called a "dazzling introduction" to the dynamic life of Victorian cities. For almost 30 years Peter Bailey has also dazzled his students, who, in their course evaluations have described him as "charismatic", "transforming", and the "best professor in the University of Manitoba." He has also provided excellent service to the Faculty on committees and been an important member of our Black Hole Theatre company.