Alumni News

Celebrate spring and the end of the academic year with students, alumni, and friends of the School of Creative Arts.

Join the University Wind Ensemble on Friday, April 4, for its spring concert, including a performance by a massed ensemble featuring more than 20 alumni under the direction of Mike Seguin, with special guest conductors Nicholas Papador and Trevor Pittman.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets are $20 general admission with a student rate of $10, available at the door or in advance on the Capitol website.

On Sunday, April 6, experience 200 singers performing Carl Orff’s famous Carmina Burana, accompanied by two grand pianos and seven percussionists at 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.

This SoCA Alumni Choir concert features the University Singers and Chamber Choir, choir alumni and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus, all conducted by Bruce J.G. Kotowich, director of choral activities for the School of Creative Arts. They are joined by alumnus David Weaver’s London Singers and the Windsor Essex Youth Choir, all accompanied by pianists Alde Calongcagong and Michael Oddy and percussion students under the direction of Dr. Papador.

The music of Carmina Burana, particularly “O Fortuna,” has been used extensively in movies, often to set a dramatic or epic mood.  It was first introduced to mainstream media in the John Boorman film Excalibur (1981). You might also remember its use in The Hunt for Red October (1990), and Lord of the Rings (2001-03).

Listen to Carmina Burana:

“Carmina Burana is all about celebrating spring and finding love,” says Dr. Kotowich. “You’ll hear over 210 musicians perform in celebration!”

Tickets are $20 general admission with a student rate of $10, available at the door or in advance on the Capitol website.

The Capitol Theatre is located at 121 University Ave.West. Street parking is free at meters in downtown Windsor after 6 p.m. on Fridays and all day on Sundays.

Registration is now open for the annual Alumni Awards of Excellence ceremony, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in the Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre.

The evening will recognize the accomplishments of 2025 awards recipients.

Alumni Award of Merit for distinguished accomplishments which have brought honour to the University of Windsor.

• Irene Moore Davis (BA 1993), assistant curator at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, is an educator, historian, writer, podcaster, and community advocate who speaks and writes frequently about equity, diversity, inclusion, and African Canadian history. She is a retired college administrator who continues to teach courses in Black history and equity, diversity, and inclusion. President of the Essex County Black Historical Research Society and a member of the University of Windsor Board of Governors, she has greatly contributed to the recording of the history of the Windsor-Essex area. Her documentary producer credits include the award-winning The North Was Our Canaan and Across the River to Freedom.
• Bukola Salami (BScN 2004) is a professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized Peoples Health in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. Dr. Salami’s research program focuses on policies and practices shaping migrant health as well as Black people’s health. She founded and led the African Child and Youth Migration Network, a network of 42 scholars from four continents, and co-led the establishment of the Institute for Intersectional Studies at the University of Alberta. In 2020, she founded the Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program.

Alumni Ambassador Award for significant achievements in professional, community, and volunteer work.

• Lisa Voakes (BHK 1999, B.Ed 2000) has been secondary school teacher and coach at the Greater Essex County District School Board since 2001, currently, serving as department head of physical education at North Star High School.  She is the chair of the non-profit organization Leadership Advancement for Women and Sport (LAWS), which promotes gender equity in sports and physical activities. Her work with LAWS often involves collaboration with the University of Windsor: Girls in Motion is held at the Toldo Lancer Centre and the  Girls Organizing and Leading Sport program is organized with support of teacher candidates enrolled in the education service-learning course.
• Lisa Williams (BA 1991) recently retired as a radio personality on AM800 CKLW after 38 years behind the microphone in morning news/talk radio, becoming a trusted and familiar voice in the Windsor-Essex community. As co-host of The Morning Drive, Williams kept listeners informed and entertained for decades. The bond she shares with the community has earned her recognition and awards over the years, most recently the Windsor Police Services Citizen Award, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County Community Legend Award, a Lifetime Achievement award from the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, and an additional Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

Alumni Odyssey Award for those in the early years of their career path, having distinguished themselves through successes in career endeavours, notable achievements in their local community or the University of Windsor, or through a significant or innovative achievement in their professional or personal life.

• Jordan Goure (BA 2014), a co-founder and CEO of Picsume, has been an entrepreneur throughout his career, launching his first business at just 19 years old. Recently, he has expanded into software development, focusing on solving workforce challenges he has encountered across various industries. With a track record of successfully launching over 10 startups in fields such as hospitality, beverage manufacturing, real estate, marketing, and technology, Goure is now ready to embrace the exciting challenge of developing ethical artificial intelligence.
• Mathew Zaia (BA 2016, MA 2018) is a lawyer in the litigation group at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, maintaining a diverse trial and appellate practice. Prior to joining the firm, he clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and practised criminal defence at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP. Zaia has published articles in such journals as the Canadian Criminal Law Review, the Canadian Bar Review, and the Canadian Journal of Law and Technology.

Learn more about the Alumni Awards of Excellence, awards categories, and recipients on the event website.

The $50 admission includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and the awards presentation. Purchase tickets here.

UWindsor alumnus Franklin H. Ezenwa (BSc 2015), a motivational speaker, best-selling author, and software developer at IBM Canada, will discuss his career journey as an immigrant to Canada in a free presentation hosted by the Cube in the Freed-Orman Commons from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 24.

Ezenwa spoke at the Lancer Leadership conference in September 2023 and received the Odyssey Award from the University of Windsor Alumni Association in April 2024, recognizing his achievements at an early stage in his career.

He is the author of three books — Be a High Achiever: Achieving All-Round Success in College and University; Crack the Dream Job Code: How to Land your Dream Job in Canada as an Immigrant; and The Identity Manual: How to Define Your True Identity, Escape the Identity Crisis & Find Fulfillment. 

Ezenwa will distribute 40 copies of Be a High Achiever free during the event.

“His insights will inspire our Indigenous and Black undergraduate and graduate students,” says Cube director Kemi Anazodo. “Students will gain insights from someone with a relatable experience, offering a perspective they can connect with.”

She adds that the event promises an opportunity for students to engage with and support one another and aims to inspire, educate, and empower students as they navigate their own career paths and aspirations.

Register here to attend.

The Cube is designed to break down the formidable barriers encountered by Indigenous and Black scholars in the areas of academia and career development. Learn more on the program website.

Thaddeus Holownia (BA 1972) recalls his time as an undergraduate student at the University of Windsor as the beginning of his art career.

A visual artist, educator, letterpress printer, and publisher, he was honoured earlier this month with the Governor General’s Award for Artistic Achievement from the Canada Council for the Arts.

“It was through the mentorship of Professor Bill Law in fine arts and Professor Stuart Selby in communication arts that I gained the confidence to follow my creative voice,” Holownia says. “Windsor was where I was inspired to create my first body of work entitled Headlighting — portraits of people with their cars. It was truly a special time.”

Holownia is best known as a landscape photographer whose works have been the subject of numerous exhibitions, including The Nature of Nature, The Photographs of Thaddeus Holownia 1976–2016, at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; The Terra Nova Suite, a 25-year survey of his work in Newfoundland and Labrador at the provincial gallery The Rooms in St. John’s; and 24 Tree Studies for Henry David Thoreau at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton.

His 1998 mid-career retrospective exhibition, Extended Vision: Photographs by Thaddeus Holownia 1978–1997, organized by the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, travelled across Canada and to the Centro de la Imagen in Mexico City.

A photograph from Thaddeus Hołownia’s series Jolicure Pond.

In nominating him for the Governor General’s Award, Mireille Eagan, curator of contemporary art at The Rooms, and John Leroux, manager of collections and exhibitions for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, cited his distinctive interpretation of time, place, and the natural environment.

“Hołownia’s photography goes beyond mere documentation, offering a contemplative reflection on the environment and its evolution over time. It is a profound dedication to place and the act of looking,” they wrote. “His work, marked by technical excellence and emotional depth, captures the beauty and complexity of our world and encourages a deeper reflection on our place within it.”

After a 41-year teaching and administrative career in the Department of Fine Arts at Mount Allison University in Sackville New Brunswick, Holownia retired in 2018 and now spends his time at his studio in Jolicure, New Brunswick.

The Governor General’s Award carries with it a $25,000 prize and a bronze medallion.

It is just the latest honour for Holownia, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fulbright fellow, and an elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 2015, he received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Visual Arts from artsNB and the Order of New Brunswick.

Watch a video portrait of Holownia:

When Philadelphia native Miguel Hurtado was considering pursuing higher education, the University of Windsor’s Master of Education program stood out as the perfect choice.

Having completed an undergraduate degree in history at Saint Joseph’s University, Hurtado thought his career path would lead him to politics. However, after a positive experience at a local high school shortly after graduation, his trajectory shifted, and he decided that an M.Ed program could be a gateway to acquiring the knowledge and skills for a new career path. Eventually, this journey led him to the University of Windsor.

The University of Windsor appealed to Hurtado for its unique course-based program and its proximity to the U.S. From the moment he arrived on campus, he fully embraced the opportunities available to him.

“I wanted something directly applicable to my career,” Hurtado says.

“I sought out great professors who not only taught and supported me but also encouraged me to explore topics that interested me, even if they weren’t directly tied to the course curriculum.”

The course-based master’s program allowed Hurtado to gain the knowledge and theory he was looking for, and beyond the classroom, Hurtado gained first-hand experience working with the women’s basketball team through the Ignite program as student director of basketball operations and fundraising. This experience deepened his understanding of fundraising in both education and sports.

“Working with athletes was fascinating. I hadn't done that before,” says Hurtado. “It not only gave me exposure to the world of fundraising, but it also made me realize just how underfunded and underappreciated women’s sports are.”

The hands-on fundraising experience, combined with mentorship from coaches Chantal Vallée and Mariah Chandler, helped shape his career goals.

Recognizing the value of his skills, knowledge, and experience, he turned to the University of Windsor Career Centre, where he learned how to leverage his experience and education in the hiring process, ultimately leading him to his current role at the York School in Toronto as an advancement officer.

While gaining postgraduate and professional experience at the University of Windsor, Hurtado remained deeply committed to social justice. His passion for creating positive change led him to work on several initiatives, including a service-learning opportunity focused on immigration.

Leveraging his M.Ed studies and political science background, Hurtado started working with the Office of Campus Ministry and the Winter Immersion Program at Saint Joseph’s University, to help students understand the complexities of the immigration process.

“I think immigration has always been a hot topic in the U.S. and throughout the world, but I was noticing that when politicians were talking about it, they weren't really talking about the actual bureaucracy, because that's not what voters want to hear,” explains Hurtado.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to expose students to the realities of the U.S. immigration system.”

Recognizing that attending a hearing without proper context may make less impact, Hurtado developed various resources in a variety of media for the students to reference ahead of the court visit.

“There are different approaches when creating resources, but there's also different learners. It was important to provide different media to help understand the process, since it can be quite complex,” he says.

In addition to the resources provided, Hurtado organized a Zoom panel discussion featuring an ICE prosecutor, a retired immigration judge, and an immigration attorney.

“For the Zoom call, we had around 30-35 students attend. They were asking good questions and appreciated hearing from three different perspectives,” he says.

The students from Saint Joseph will be attending court hearings this month, and although Hurtado is unable to join them due to work commitments, he co-ordinated with the Department of Justice to ensure the students attend a merit hearing, where asylum seekers provide testimony, witnesses, and evidence.

Hurtado’s journey serves as a reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone and seizing every opportunity can pave the way for long-term success. His story is one of growth, impact, and making the most of the resources available at the University of Windsor.

He encourages students to get connected with faculty, and to take advantage of programs on campus like Ignite or the Career Centre to gain relevant experience and support in your professional path.

“Find a way to get involved in something that aligns with your career interests. It makes all the difference,” he shares.

When Olivia Grimshaw (BHK 2018) walked onto the track at the University of Windsor Alumni Stadium for her first varsity track and field practice, she had no idea she was about to meet her future husband.

But the moment she spotted Trevor Way (BComm 2018), a fellow Lancer high jumper, she confidently looked toward her teammate declaring, “I’m going to date that guy one day.”

Fast forward almost a decade, and that bold prediction has come true. From the jumper pit at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse to a lifetime of love and partnership — this year, Way and Grimshaw will celebrate two years of marriage and nine years together.

While Way, a Windsor local, was right at home, Grimshaw’s path to the University of Windsor was a homecoming of sorts. Originally from Nova Scotia, she chose Windsor for its track reputation, reconnecting with the Ontario roots of her parents. Little did she know it would also be where she found her teammate for life.

“Being in the same friend group and sport, we naturally supported each other — whether it was cheering at meets or warming up together before every practice,” she says.

The two didn’t start dating right away. It wasn’t until the summer after their second year that they began to wonder if they were more than just teammates. To test the theory, they took a trip to Grimshaw’s home province.

“We spent some time travelling around the east coast that summer — it was a special moment in our story and is now the place we both call home,” says Grimshaw.

During the trip, the couple discovered that they had unknowingly crossed paths years earlier at the 2012 Charlottetown Legion Track Meet.

“It’s as if Windsor was always meant to bring us back together,” she says. “Fate, one might say.”

What seemed like a classic coming-of-age love story was no surprise to their Lancer track teammates, who had always recognized their bond.

“They all saw it coming before we did,” Way says. “There’s a tradition on the track team, where fun awards get handed out to all the seniors before we graduate, known as the Paper Plate Awards — and we won ‘Worst Kept Secret’.”

Looking back on their love story, the couple reminisces about their journey: striving for new heights in competition, celebrating post-meet victories at Rock Bottom, a local bar near campus, and competing together in their final year at the Ontario University Athletics championship meet.

“If we could relive one UWindsor moment, it would be OUAs in 2018,” Grimshaw recalls.

For her, the moment was even more impactful, as qualifying for the Ontario championships had been a major goal.

“Trevor drove me to Toronto for two extra meets just so I could have another shot at making the standard in my final year,” she says. “Competing together at OUAs as teammates was so special, and with Windsor as the host, it made the experience even more meaningful.”

Later that year, before graduating, Way achieved a personal best of 2.06m at Saginaw Valley, earning a USports qualifying spot — fittingly also hosted in Windsor that year, where Grimshaw cheered him on.

“We learned to be great teammates first, and that has carried over into every stage of life —always cheering each other on. Unless we are playing board games… then we are mortal enemies,” she laughs.

The couple adds, "Special shoutout to Guff (former jumps coach Dave McGuffin) and our teammates. Guff was always so supportive, on and off the track.”

Grimshaw is now living her dream as a physiotherapist in Nova Scotia, where she owns her own practice, Radius Physiotherapy. Way works as a client executive at insurance brokerage BFL Canada and stays connected to the track world, coaching for Pace Athletics in Halifax.

Once again, the University of Windsor is set to host two of the biggest track and field events in Canada. The Ontario University Athletics track and field championships will take place Feb. 21 and 22, followed by the U Sports track and field championship tournament, welcoming the nation’s top university athletes the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse, March 6 to 8.

The University of Windsor has long been a hub for cultivating academic excellence and shaping dynamic professionals. For one alumnus, the University was the launchpad for a multifaceted career blending education, data analysis, and strategic decision-making.

Samuel Jokodola’s journey toward bridging the gap between education and data-driven decision-making began with a bachelor's degree in guidance and counselling. His growing interest in combining education with analytical tools led him to pursue a Master of Education at the University of Windsor in 2021.

“I chose the University of Windsor because of its emphasis on academic excellence, research opportunities, and programs designed to foster critical thinking and real-world application,” says Jokodola.

The program’s curriculum, including specialized courses such as statistics in education, not only fuelled his passion, but laid the groundwork for his current work in strategic analysis.

“It was an ideal environment to refine my analytical and problem-solving abilities,” Jokodola says.

Despite facing challenges during his studies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, Jokodola embraced the opportunity to stay engaged through programs on campus like Suitcase to Backpack, and by leading panel discussions at such events as the UWill Discover and Lancers Leadership Conference.

“My time at UWindsor, though unconventional due to the pandemic, allowed me to build valuable skills in adaptability and leadership,” Jokodola reflects. “These experiences, alongside academic challenges, helped me develop valuable skills in adaptability, collaboration, and leadership.”

Playing a particularly transformative role in Samuel’s experience at the university was his advisor, James Oloo, professor in the Faculty of Education.

Under Dr. Oloo’s mentorship, Jokodola focused his research on an underexplored area of Canadian academia: the experiences of racialized Internationally Trained Professionals working as non-academic staff in post-secondary institutions.

“Beyond providing exceptional guidance on my thesis, Dr. Oloo became a mentor in life and career,” he says. “Even after graduation, Dr. Oloo and several other professors have continued to support me by offering career guidance, helping me refine my application packages, serving as professional references, and even connecting me with potential employment opportunities.

“Their investment in my success has not only shaped my academic journey but also continues to guide my career path and personal growth.”

Since graduating, Jokodola has held two key roles that have further developed his expertise in education and data analysis.

Before his convocation ceremony, Jokodola secured a position as an academic success advisor at Algoma University. In this role, he provided guidance to students, developed impactful academic initiatives, and collaborated with faculty and administration.

Currently, as a capital strategic analyst with Alberta’s Ministry of Education, Jokodola applies his expertise to assess educational infrastructure projects across the province.

Reflecting on his own personal journey, Jokodola encourages students and recent graduates to embrace a mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning.

“Though I’m yet to reach the pinnacle of my career, I’ve been fortunate to find a way to merge my passion for education and data analysis.”

He encourages students to explore opportunities beyond the classroom and to seek mentorship from professionals and professionals in the field.

“Remember, your path doesn’t need to follow a linear trajectory,” he shares. “Start by identifying what excites you both inside and outside the classroom and look for ways to integrate those passion.”

Carolyn Brown started a three-year term as chair of the University of Windsor’s Board of Governors, effective Nov. 27. Previously, Brown served as the Board’s first vice-chair and second vice-chair, chair of the Board Human Resources Committee, and a member of various other committees.

“I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the executive leadership team in this new capacity,” said Brown. “As chair, I plan to help the University navigate the unprecedented and evolving challenges that we face and guide it toward a sustainable future.”

Brown is a transportation professional with extensive experience working in public-private partnership arrangements. She is a standards-focused leader with over 20 years of experience working cross-border operations with senior officials from all three levels of government in Canada and in the United States. Brown’s background in cross-border operations includes the delivery of major infrastructure projects, preparing assets for operational readiness, and successful stakeholder engagement.

A strategic thinker and experienced executive, having held the roles of CEO of the Windsor International Airport; CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Corporation and Windsor Detroit Borderlink Limited, Canadian owner-operator of the Windsor Detroit tunnel; and executive vice-president of American Roads LLC, she has a proven track record of strong and effective leadership.

“We feel so fortunate to have Carolyn in this key leadership role,” said UWindsor president Robert Gordon. “Her extensive experience in industry and on corporate boards will translate well to the Board’s top position.”

Brown is currently chief operations officer for the Gordie Howe International Bridge Corporation. Formerly, she served as chair of the Board of Directors for both the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce and Lakeview Montessori School.

A life-long resident of Windsor-Essex, Brown is a graduate of the University of Windsor with a Master of Arts in Political Science and a bachelor's degree in public administration.