Past Presidents
Dr. James Currie (2020-2022) — Acting
Dr. Currie was appointed ninth interim President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. A long-time faculty member at UWinnipeg, having served in numerous administrative leadership positions, he guided the university through the pandemic-impacted 2020-21 academic year, and oversaw the safe and successful phased return to campus in 2021-22.
Portrait of Annette Trimbee by Lisa Wood
Dr. Annette Trimbee (2014-2020)
Dr. Trimbee was the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. A few of her many accomplishments over her two terms in office include completing a university-wide strategic directions plan, enacting a three-year budget strategy, and implementing an Indigenous Course Requirement for all undergraduate students — making UWinnipeg among the first institutions in Canada to implement this step towards Indigenization.
Portrait of Lloyd Axworthy by Brenda Bury
Dr. Lloyd Axworthy (2004-2014)
Dr. Axworthy was the seventh President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. A graduate of United College and Princeton, he had a prestigious political career for nearly three decades before returning to the university as President. During his two terms at UWinnipeg, he worked to renew the university campus and its downtown presence, and made the institution more accessible for Indigenous, low-income, and new immigrant students. The Axworthy Health and RecPlex is named in his honour.
Dr. Patrick Deane (2003-2004) – Acting
Dr. Deane was Acting President at the University of Winnipeg during a time of leadership change, financial crisis, and public scrutiny. During his brief tenure, he reunited the university through strategic and academic planning, eliminated the accumulated deficit to achieve a balanced budget, and established a new fundraising division.
Portrait of Constance Rooke by Richard Bell
Dr. Constance Rooke (1999-2002)
Dr. Rooke was the fifth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. At a time of the highest historical student enrollment as well as heightened financial uncertainty, she brought a vision that UWinnipeg invest in community and cultural connections, emphasizing the university’s strength in liberal arts and sciences.
Portrait of Marsha Hanen by Daryl Jones
Dr. Marsha Hanen (1989-1999)
Dr. Hanen was the fourth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, and the first woman appointed in that role. As leader, her accomplishments include the passing of the University of Winnipeg Act, the establishment of a Bachelor of Education program, and the opening of the Bulman Centre and the Eckhardt Gramatté Hall. Her work has been honoured through the Marsha Hanen Award for Excellence in Creating Community Awareness, and in the renamed promenade Marsha Hanen Way.
Dr. Ross McCormack (1988-1989) — Acting
Dr. McCormack was appointed as interim leader, overlapping Dr. Farquhar’s transitory final year in office.
Portrait of Robin Farquhar by Daryl Jones
Dr. Robin Farquhar (1981-1989)
Dr. Farquhar was the third President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. During a time of fiscal restraint, he championed UWinnipeg as an “urban university,” sought to diversify the student population to reflect the surrounding community, and worked to create relationships with government and business leaders. While he was in leadership, the Department of Theatre was created, and many new programs were developed. His work is honoured through the Robin H. Farquhar Award for Excellence in Contributing to Self-Governance.
Portrait of Henry Duckworth by Thomas Reid MacDonald
Dr. Henry Duckworth (1971-1981)
Dr. Duckworth was the second President of the University of Winnipeg. First a student of Wesley College (prior to its amalgamation with Manitoba College to become United College), he then taught at United College for over a decade, and had a distinguished career as a physicist. He is commemorated by UWinnipeg’s Duckworth Centre, home to the Wesmen athletes and the annual Duckworth Challenge.
Portrait of Wilfred Lockhart by Thomas Reid MacDonald
Dr. Wilfred Lockhart (1967-71)
Dr. Lockhart was the first President of the University of Winnipeg. A minister and chaplain, he was initially instated as Principal of United College in 1955, and oversaw the institutional transition following the university charter in 1967. He is commemorated by UWinnipeg’s Lockhart Hall.