Two accomplished Brandon University alumni will be honoured for their contributions to their communities and profession during BU Homecoming 2026.
David Halstead
David Halstead (BSc '60, BEd) will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service, while Jim McManes (BA '75) will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement. The Brandon University Alumni Association will present the awards at the Homecoming Banquet and Awards Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Halstead's lifetime of volunteer service began when he coached youth baseball at age 20. An educator whose career spanned four institutions, two continents and his own company, he has supported community organizations through leadership, fundraising and hands-on service. His contributions have included chairing social services, church, family education and seniors' care organizations, serving on the University of Regina Senate and leading the Society of Friends of Rivers Collegiate Scholarship Fund for 17 years.
McManes grew up on a farm west of Brandon and graduated from Brandon University, then worked for a time selling cars before going on to earn a law degree from the University of Manitoba. After practising law, he returned to the automotive industry and purchased his first dealership in Calgary in 1987. His business interests have since grown to include 20 new-vehicle dealerships in Alberta and British Columbia, representing 11 brands and employing about 1,200 people.
"David and Jim exemplify the impact Brandon University alumni make through lives of leadership, service, and achievement," said BU Alumni Association President Chris Hunt. "Their accomplishments are impressive, but so too are the lasting opportunities and stronger communities they have helped create for others. We are proud to recognize them at BU Homecoming this year."
The Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service recognizes alumni who have made outstanding voluntary contributions to community service. The Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement honours outstanding accomplishments in a profession, career, business or industry.
"Homecoming gives us a wonderful opportunity to reconnect while celebrating the many ways our alumni put their education, experience, and values into action," said Carla Eisler, BU's Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs. "David and Jim have followed very different paths, but both have demonstrated ambition, generosity and an enduring commitment to others as so many Brandon University and Brandon College always have."
Homecoming 2026 will run from Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13, with alumni, families, friends and members of the wider community invited to take part.
The weekend will open the campus for exploration and reconnection, with faculty and student research showcases, guided and self-directed campus tours, class and program reunions, live music, astronomy and opportunities to visit special campus spaces, including the Bell Tower and the Bee U honeybee hives. The Brandon University Bobcats will also open their home soccer schedule with men's and women's matches on Saturday and Sunday.
All are invited to BU Homecoming, with a particular emphasis on alumni who are celebrating milestone anniversaries, with class years ending in 1 or 6. Homecoming will be honouring the classes of 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971 and 1976, who are celebrating their 70th, 65th, 60th, 55th and 50th anniversaries.
Jim McManes
The Homecoming Banquet and Awards Dinner will be held in Harvest Hall on Saturday, Sept. 12. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $65, and everyone is welcome.
Registration and the complete schedule are available at BrandonU.ca/Homecoming.
Backgrounder : About the award recipients
