UM150

"Just before I began my degree, Pokemon Go came out during the summer of 2016. The university campus was an ideal spot to visit and play. I would sit with future classmates and discuss the best strategies to level-up. Oh how distracting that game would be for my first year..."

Christopher Penner
Alumni, BA/2021

"Two moments actually, but with a thread that links them over decades. When I first arrived at University College residence as an 18-year old undergraduate, I dropped my belongings in my room and then went straight to the Great Hall for lunch and to start meeting my fellow residents. Over the next two years, I ate hundreds (thousands?) of meals in that Great Hall, made many lifelong friends, attended numerous socials and other events, and - most importantly - got to know the woman who would become my wife. 

Four decades later, in late January 2026, a water pipe burst in a classroom in the Human Ecology building. My Sociology of Criminal Justice and Corrections course had to be relocated, and I was stunned to find myself assigned to teach the class in the Great Hall of University College for the remainder of the term. Standing up on that stage, looking out at the students who reminded me so much of myself and my fellow students 40 years before, in that room that was so filled with memories for me, was...magical (and I am not one who is prone to using such terms). As I approach the end of my career at UM, having the opportunity to teach in the room so intimately related to the genesis of so many of the essential aspects of my life was the kind of "full circle" moment about which one can normally only dream."

Frank Cormier 
Faculty, Sociology and Criminology

"In 2020, shortly after immigrating from Colombia, I came to the Fort Garry campus as a visitor. I still remember walking through the university grounds and feeling inspired by the sense of community, learning, and possibility that surrounded me. At the time, I dreamed of one day working here and becoming part of this incredible community, even though it felt far away. Now, in 2026, that dream has become a reality. I am proud to work in communications at the University of Manitoba, contributing to a place that has already given me so much inspiration and opportunity. Every day, I feel grateful to support meaningful initiatives, share important stories, and connect with people who are passionate about education, research, and community impact.

Being part of the University of Manitoba has been deeply fulfilling, both professionally and personally. It is more than just a workplace to me, it is a community that welcomed me, challenged me to grow, and allowed me to build a future in a province I now proudly call home."

Mariana Echeverri Alvarez
Staff, The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

"Perhaps not a singular moment, but a kind of moment in my teaching that repeats yet manifests differently with each student. It's when I'm working closely with a student on learning a skill or a concept, there is a struggle to grasp it, some attempts on their part, some gentle feedback on mine, and then, sometimes, there's an "aha"! moment, but more often it's a gradual stepping into the light, and gaining of clarity that happens, again and again. It's an incredible gift to be part of that experience."

Ed Johnson
Faculty, Psychology

"My most memorable University of Manitoba moment is stepping into the Department of Immunology at the University of Manitoba for the first time as a PhD student and realizing that I was pursuing a dream that once seemed impossible. It was in that moment that I understood my research in immunology has the potential to contribute to the development of vaccines and improve lives around the world. Coming from a humble background in Nigeria, this journey has been a powerful reminder that with faith, perseverance, and hard work, dreams truly do come true."

Chidimma Chude
Student, Immunology

"My high moment was actually watching my wife's graduation from the University of Manitoba in 2017. A mature Bison showcasing the resilience, dedication and commitment UM Bisons have firsthand. Each year that I volunteer for the convocation events, the experience brings home those memories, and the joy following years of hard work and quality education. Love to UM!"

Taiwo Luro
Staff, Asper School of Business

"So many Basketball moments for me - volunteering for Pan Am Games, Canada Games and watching so many games in IGAC, but the best memories for me are the graduation ceremonies I've volunteered at. When the students get to move their tassels over, I instantly shed tears. They are so proud when they walk past me to get their grad photos done. They are happy, they are crying, they want hugs but mostly they are just thankful all their hard work paid off. So thankful I get to witness that. Happy 150th!!"

Kyla Shead
Staff, Sociology and Criminology

"My most memorable University of Manitoba moment didn’t happen in a stadium or a lab, but inside the underground tunnels during a brutal January blizzard. I remember stepping into the Engineering building, covered in a thick layer of frost after the walk from the bus stop. The temperature was -30°C, and my glasses were so fogged up that I was walking blindly. Just as I was struggling to juggle my heavy backpack and wipe my lenses, a stranger stopped. Without a word, they handed me a dry lens cloth and held my coffee so I wouldn't spill it.

We stood there for a minute, two frozen students sharing a silent understanding of what it means to survive a Manitoba winter. We ended up walking together toward the University Centre, chatting about our upcoming midterms. That small gesture of kindness transformed a miserable, freezing morning into a moment of genuine connection. It taught me that the true spirit of UM isn't just about academic excellence; it’s about the resilient community that looks out for one another when the world outside turns white. That simple act of holding a coffee cup for a stranger remains my most cherished memory of campus life."
 
Jinglei Wang
Student, Biosystems Engineering