On Thursday, November 7, 2024, a sold-out crowd of more than 280 guests gathered at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre to celebrate the Honourable Gary Doer, OM, a former Premier of Manitoba who also served as an ambassador to the United States, as the recipient of the 16th Annual Duff Roblin Award. Thanks to the generous guests, donors, and sponsors, $155,265 was raised to help support University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) students on their post-secondary journey.
Serving as a tribute to the late Honourable Duff Roblin, another former Manitoba Premier and the inaugural recipient, this prestigious award given by The University of Winnipeg and the University of Winnipeg Foundation (UWF) recognizes an outstanding Manitoban who has been a patron of education and demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community.
"The Duff Roblin Award Dinner encapsulates the core values of our Foundation and allows us to connect in the span of an evening with community leaders and visionaries who support our ambitions," said Javier Schwersensky, President and CEO of the UWF. "It also allows us to honour someone from within that community who has made a profound impact by supporting UWinnipeg and its funding priorities."
The funds raised from the annual Duff Roblin Award Dinner support the Duff Roblin Scholars Fund, the University of Winnipeg Tuition Waiver Fund, a key program within the Opportunity Fund, and the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre.
"This evening has become a tradition we look forward to every year," said Sherri Walsh, Chair of the UWF Board of Directors. "It provides us with an occasion to reflect on the legacy left by those who have contributed to the University of Winnipeg in the past and an opportunity to help the institution prepare for the future."
UWinnipeg and the UWF extend their deepest thanks to all donors, sponsors, and individual ticket purchasers, and to the staff, Duff Award Dinner Committee Co-chairs, and volunteers who made the evening an overwhelming success.
"We are grateful to all the event attendees for their support of our students," said Dr. Todd Mondor, President and Vice Chancellor of UWinnipeg. "Together, we're preparing the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation and lead positive change in our province."
To find out more about the UWF and how we help support students on their post-secondary journey, visit www.foundation.uwinnipeg.ca
