Arts retirees for 2022: Prof. Janice Freeman

Wed. Aug. 24, 2022

This year saw the retirement of three of our Faculty of Arts professors. Knowing they'll be greatly missed this fall, we asked some of their colleagues, friends, and former students to share their thoughts.

Here we highlight Prof. Janice Freeman's retirement from Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications.

According to Jaqueline McLeod Rogers, Prof. Janice Freeman "contributed energy and vision to helping think though some of the curriculum and practices that have contributed to the success of our department. She'll be missed!" Dr. Andrew McGillivray states, "Janice's teaching has helped so many of her students become better, smarter writers, and I am glad I have been able to work alongside Janice over the past six years."

Photo credit: University of Winnipeg Communications 

Prof. Janice Freeman retires as Instructor in the Department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications as of August 31, 2022. Here, those who have worked closely with her reflect on her career in the Department, as one of the first faculty members of the University's Writing Centre, which later became the Department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications, and as a longtime Writing Coordinator in the Tutoring Centre.

Dr. Andrew McGillivray, Assistant Professor: "Janice Freeman has always provided me, as a colleague, with good advice for both teaching and administrative work within the department, and how to balance the two in my day to day schedule. Janice's commitment to her students is well known--I can recall many instances of students telling me how beneficial her courses have been for them in their pursuit of post-secondary education, especially her Rhetorical Grammar and Advanced Editing courses. Janice's teaching has helped so many of her students become better, smarter writers, and I am glad I have been able to work alongside Janice over the past six years."

Mr. Kevin Doyle, Supervisor, Computer Writing Lab: "Janice was my Writing Centre’s coordinator when I permanently joined the Department. She was always smiling and eager to talk about tutoring. She was lively, energetic, and concerned about her tutoring class and students of all departments. She was always willing to go the extra mile to ensure the student meet and excel in writing assignments. Many went on to be Writing Tutors. When she stepped down as the Writing Coordinator, she developed courses rooted in style and grammar. She maintained her interaction with the student and promoting writing skills. Reflecting back, she gave me the determination to always put the student first and, to the best of my abilities, to assist students."

Mr. Andrew Bendor-Samuel, Director, Math & Science Tutoring: "Janice Freeman was part of the committee that hired me to work at the UofW’s Tutoring Centre. She was the coordinator of the writing portion of the Tutoring Centre. We worked together for many years. As the mathematics and science side of the Centre grew, Janice was always approachable, open with suggestions and willing to help. This was particularly appreciated in the first few years as my responsibilities with the Math & Science Tutoring Centre grew. She encouraged a strong relationship between all the tutors in the Centre and a real sense of comraderie." Bendor Samuel adds, "I will miss you Janice. Enjoy your retirement."

Dr. Jaqueline McLeod Rogers, Professor and Chair, Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications: "Janice and I were part of the original group who came in when the Writing Centre first opened. She contributed energy and vision to helping think though some of the curriculum and practices that have contributed to the success of our department. She'll be missed!"