Past Honourees
Dr Emőke Szathmáry (2009)
Born in Hungary, but a Canadian citizen since 1956, Emőke Szathmáry is a biological anthropologist. Her academic administrative appointments include serving 12 years as the President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manitoba (1996-2008). Earlier she was Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at McMaster University (1994-96), Dean of Social Science at the University of Western Ontario (1989-1994), and Chairman of the Department of Anthropology at McMaster University (1985-1988). She had joined McMaster University in 1975 as a probationary Assistant Professor after a term appointment at Trent University. Currently she is President Emeritus and Professor in the Department of Anthropology as well as the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Hubert Kleysen (2008)
Hubert Kleysen is one of Manitoba's leading entrepreneurs, and a well-known figure in the transportation industry. He is also an active philanthropist and dedicated family man. Born as the eldest son and first generation Canadian to Dutch immigrant Harry Kleysen and Margarite Bossuyt, Hubert quickly learned that hard work and responsibility were the cornerstones of life. In 1930, his parents started Kleysen Cartage in Toronto but moved back to his mother's hometown of Winnipeg, during the height of the Depression in 1935. This was the same year that Hubert was born. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr James Tennant (2007)
Jim spent most of his youth in the north end of the city. In 1953 his father started a small automotive business in the downtown area of the city which was the seed for Jim's future passion in the automotive world. The Tennant family moved frequently over the next 10 years and in 1963 Jim was sent to St Paul's High School; then located on the downtown Ellice Avenue campus. He had no family ties to the school and did not know one person on his first day. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Robert Chipman (2006)
There are many families at St Paul's that have a long history with the school and the Chipman family is prominent among them. As students, alumni, coaches, fans and supporters, the Chipman family can reach back through the decades as contributors to the life of the school in virtually every imaginable way. As contributors to the life of the Winnipeg community, the Chipman family has made their mark in business, in service, and in philanthropy. At the head of this family is Mr Robert Chipman, Class of 1944. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr and Mrs Gary Filmon (2005)
Born and raised in Winnipeg's North End, a graduate of Sisler High School and the University of Manitoba, Gary Filmon is a dedicated, life-long Manitoban, a recipient of the Order of Manitoba, and an individual who has provided not only elected leadership in service to the public, but also public and private leadership in business and in the community at large. Janice graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She worked as a social worker with the Children's Aid Society of Winnipeg and was a caseworker in Family Protection. Even in her professional life, she devoted her energies toward people in need. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Robert Puchniak (2004)
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 15, 1947, Robert George Puchniak is the son of Benjamin Joseph and Rose (Gray) Puchniak. The history of Bob's family association with St Paul's High School began with his late uncle, Reverend Father Stan Puchniak, OMI, who was one of the founders and early teachers at St Paul's High School, when it was started by the Oblate Fathers on Selkirk Avenue in 1926. Bob's father, Ben '32, brother Clare '58 and two sons, Rob '89 and Michael '99 all attended the school. In total, more than 20 of Bob's immediate family and relatives attended the school, including Monsignor Stan Jaworski. To celebrate the family's involvement with St Paul's, Bob and his family have established a bursary at the school in the name of Reverend Father Stanley J. Puchniak, OMI. [ Read the full biography ]
Dr William Norrie (2003)
Since he has been in City Hall, Bill Norrie has become involved in dozens of worthwhile projects. He has never learned to say "No". Add this to the fact that he doesn't like cell phones and has never used a computer and you tend to have a very busy household. On days when he and his wife Helen out of the house it's not unusual to have over twenty messages on our telephone. But friends and colleagues are patient. With an intense interest in things political, knowledge of the law and an encyclopedic grasp of business affairs in the city, Bill is hard to stump on legal, political or economic themes. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Joe Stangl (2002)
Joseph spent 13 years as Secretary Treasurer and Administrator of St Paul's High School. He also became involved locally, provincially, nationally, and in some areas, internationally, in Catholic, Public and Independent Schools Education. This involvement took Joseph across Canada a number of times, and on occasion, internationally, giving him the opportunity of meeting many wonderful people. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr and Mrs Richard and Kathryn Bracken (2001)
Kathryn and Richard met at Harvard University. Kathryn was working at the Center for International Affairs, while Richard was earning his MBA. They were married in Philadelphia in 1972 and moved to Winnipeg where they raised their 4 sons: Taylor '93, David '94, Geoff '98 and John '01. Richard served on the St. Paul's Board of Directors for 6 years, including 3 as Chairman of the Board, and he served as Honourary Co-Chair of the Jesuit Legacy Capital Campaign in 2000 the result of which is the Angus Reid Arts and Multi-Media Centre at the School. [ Read the full biography ]
Dr Angus Reid (2000)
Angus was born in Regina. He received his early education in Vancouver before his family moved to Winnipeg. He had the unique experience of attending St Paul's High School at the Ellice and Vaughan location and graduating from the present school in Tuxedo. Angus' involvement as a student at St. Paul's for the four years he attended included playing and coaching intramural football and basketball. He also served as an Executive on the Debating Club and Senior Sodality. After graduating from St Paul's in 1965, Angus went on to Carleton University in Ottawa and attained his PhD in Sociology. [ Read the full biography ]
Fr Joseph Driscoll SJ (1999)
During his tenure as Director of St Paul's High School, in May of 1968, Father Driscoll was faced with a difficult decision. The Jesuit Superiors of the Jesuit Provincial Upper Canada Province met at St. Paul's High School to discuss "how to tell parents that the school would be closing the following school term" because of the ever-increasing operating debt that, at the time, was slightly more than a half million dollars. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Gregg Hanson (1998)
Gregg Hanson was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1951. After his father was killed in a tragic car/train collision in 1952, Gregg's mother, Bernadette, met the challenge of raising Gregg and his sister, Heather, as a single parent. From 1965 to 1969, by working evenings, weekends and summer holidays at various jobs, Gregg was privileged and proud to attend St Paul's High School. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr and Mrs Kevin and Els Kavanagh (1997)
Els Kavanagh was born in Amsterdam and educated at Lyceum "Fons Vitae." She arrived in Canada with a strong desire to gain fluency in both official languages. Internationally, she has served on the Board of CARE International in Brussels and has been a Trustee with St. John's School in Denver. Nationally, Els was the Chair for CARE Canada and Finance Chair for the Canadian Museum of Nature, both in Ottawa. Locally, her involvement is mind-boggling. Kevin Kavanagh is best known for his association with the Great-West Life Assurance Company, serving as its President and CEO from 1979 to 1990. Kevin joined the company's Group Insurance Division in 1953, after attaining his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Manitoba in the same year. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Michael Phelps (1996)
Michael attended the University of Winnipeg and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967, followed by a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1970 from the University of Manitoba. In 1971, Michael completed his Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics. He has also been awarded Honourary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Winnipeg in 1992 and from Simon Fraser University in 1994. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Paul Albrechtsen (1995)
The remarkable story of Paul Albrechtsen began during the war at 12 years old when every other day he alternated between going to school and hauling peat moss on a commercial basis with a horse and wagon. When he finished school, he worked as a diesel mechanic. After completing his compulsory service in the Danish army, he decided he would like to see the rest of the world, so at the tender age of 24 he immigrated to Canada arriving here in February, 1954. [ Read the full biography ]
Mr Arthur Mauro (1994)
Dr Mauro served as Chairman or President of a number of community organizations including the Winnipeg Community Chest (now the United Way), Winnipeg Art Gallery, Federal Transportation Industry Development Advisory Committee, Winnipeg Art Gallery Foundation and the Winnipeg 1991 Grey Cup Committee. He has also served as a member of the University Grants Commission, was Chairman of St Paul's College Board of Directors, Chairman of St Boniface Hospital Board of Directors, Chairman of the Manitoba Skills Training Advisory Committee, a Director of the North Portage Development Corporation, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Transport Institute at the University of Manitoba and Chairman of the Interim Steering Committee for the Winnipeg Jets. [ Read the full biography ]
