Alumna, Donor and Regent Ruth Dickinson looks back on her undergraduate career Donor Spotlight

As a current member of the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) Board of Regents since 2020, Ruth Dickinson, a UWinnipeg graduate with a four-year Geography BA and a four-year Classics honours BA, came to the University as a mature student and has spent more than 15 years immersed in both the social and academic sides of UWinnipeg.

“As a student, I was drawn to the university by its culture, and I stayed because of the amazing professors. I love geographic history and the culture of the ancient world, and I found these two disciplines overlapped nicely within the Classics department.” says Dickinson. “Receiving the Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship during my second degree was an incredible honour that was exciting to me as a student. The recognition and financial support meant a great deal to me at that time, and still does today. Looking back, I am thankful for the support and the opportunities I had as a student to study topics that I remain passionate about since graduating in 2018.”

Dickinson has supported numerous organizations and initiatives at UWinnipeg, including acting twice as former President of the Alumni Association, former Executive Committee Advisor and President for the University of Winnipeg Golden Key Chapter honours student group, and as a former member of the University Senate. 

“I am also proud of my involvement in co-organizing New Directions in Classics with Dr. Peter Miller,” says Dickinson. “A public lecture series that invites students, professors, and the public to learn about current research topics related to antiquity.”

A donor since 2015, Ruth has leant her generosity to many funds—several of which she had a hand in creating. These include the UWinnipeg Alumni Association 2SLGBTQ* Student Award; the UWinnipeg Golden Key Chapter In-Course Scholarship; the UWinnipeg Golden Key Convocation Scholarship; and the University of Winnipeg Classics Students Association Scholarship. Each one of these awards were collectively initiated by Dickinson, students, and volunteers.

“I am proud to have helped establish these awards and put them into the hands of deserving students, especially since I also benefitted from the university’s awards program during my academic career,” says Dickinson.

Dickinson truly believes it is important for today’s UWinnipeg students to stay connected with their alma mater. “The University needs students who care about the institution after they graduate,” says Dickinson. “I encourage you to stay in touch with other alumni, help create an award or volunteer if you are able to—live your life to the fullest and be proud to be a UWinnipeg graduate!”