Jan 30, 2025

Dr. Michael Lukie Donor Spotlight

Dr. Michael Lukie’s journey from bar band musician to Instructor at The Collegiate to an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) is as unique as it is inspiring. A donor since 2005, Lukie sought to create a new award in the spring of 2024—one that would provide for the next generation of talented young scientists and academics that he had seen so many of during his teaching career at The Collegiate. With this goal in mind, Lukie worked with the University of Winnipeg Foundation to establish The Dr. Michael Paul Lukie Prize. Designed to recognize the student with the highest combined marks in grade 12 Physics and Pre-Calculus Mathematics, the prize is a representation of both Lukie’s passion for academic excellence and his commitment to The Collegiate as a member of its internal community.

A Winnipeg local, Lukie spent his early years playing music in blues, rock’n’roll, and Elvis bar bands before diving into academia. After beginning his studies at the University of Manitoba, he initially planned to graduate as an electrical engineer. Looking back, Lukie jokingly reflects that “I could do the math no problem, but otherwise I was hopeless with electrical wiring.” Electing to shift gears as an undergrad, Lukie soon discovered his passion for applied mathematics, a degree he completed over the course of 7 years while balancing his love for music. Along the way, he developed a deep interest and appreciation for the Classics and his fascination with Greek and Roman art and archaeology guided much of his interest during this period. By the time he was ready to graduate, although only needing 120 credit hours for his science degree, Lukie had amassed 180 credit hours to put towards his Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies and Anthropology.

Given his interest in a wide range of subjects, Lukie notes that it came as no surprise to him and his family when he finally settled into his teaching career. Starting as a teaching assistant in calculus labs at the University of Manitoba, Lukie quickly found he felt most at home leading lectures at the front of the classroom.

“After earning my Bachelor of Education after-degree at the University of Winnipeg in 2002, I began teaching at Springfield Collegiate in Oak Bank and later at River East Collegiate. During the summers between those postings was where my relationship with The Collegiate started. I began teaching physics summer school classes for The Collegiate in June and July and by 2004 I was offered a full-time teaching position at the school.”

“The Collegiate isn’t like most regular schools,” Dr. Lukie explains. “Faculty often stay for many years because they’re invested in their students. The smaller class sizes, academic autonomy, and professional environment make it a place where everyone can strive for excellence with the confidence they will succeed. Collegiate students also take responsibility for and approach their learning in the same way that university students do, a fact that attests to the high quality of the academic culture at the institution.”

Lukie’s career at The Collegiate lasted from 2004 to 2013. After taking a brief hiatus to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Alberta, he returned for a final year of teaching in 2015-2016 before transitioning to his current role at UWinnipeg. As a professor, Lukie teaches physics, science, and mathematics curriculum and instruction courses to pre-service teachers while drawing on his Collegiate teaching experience to inspire future educators.

Today, Lukie’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom through his generous support of a new prize that bears his name. “The Collegiate has always held a soft spot for me”, shares Lukie, “The reason I’m here today is because Dean Rob Bend took a risk and hired me, even though I looked like a hippie. I just wanted to give something back to the school, I loved teaching there, I made some real quality friends with my colleagues. Also, my grandfather Walter Kolodzinski graduated from The Collegiate 90 years ago in 1935 when it was still United College. This prize reflects my passion for celebrating academic excellence and inspiring generations of future students who come to this very special and unique institution. Receiving an award makes students feel good about their triumphs, and I feel that it’s important to celebrate students who put the effort in.”

The Dr. Michael Paul Lukie Prize recently passed its review by the University Senate and will begin supporting students in the Spring of 2025.

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