Kurt Michael Downes, Dr. Bryan E. Walls and Mandeep Bumbra were recognized by the Alumni Association as graduates who have made meaningful contributions in their professions, communities and beyond. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL WILKINS/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
The spirit of leadership, resilience and community was on full display as the University of Windsor Alumni Association welcomed the campus community, graduates, leaders, faculty and friends to the 2026 Alumni Awards of Excellence.
Presented by the Alumni Association, the awards recognize graduates who have made meaningful contributions in their professions, communities and beyond.
This year’s honourees – Dr. Bryan E. Walls, Kurt Michael Downes, and Mandeep Bumbra each took to the stage to share their achievements and their stories.
For Alumni Association Board President Dorothy Leung, the evening was a reminder that a degree is a starting line, not a finish line.
“We come together not only to celebrate achievements, but to recognize the journeys and enduring spirit of our alumni,” she said.
“Excellence doesn’t end at graduation — it begins there.”
A legacy of history, humanity and hope
The association’s highest honour, the Alumni Award of Merit, was presented to Dr. Bryan E. Walls, a distinguished scholar, historian and humanitarian whose life’s work has preserved and elevated African-Canadian history.
A proud descendant of the Underground Railroad, Walls has dedicated decades to ensuring that the stories of Black Canadians are remembered and shared. As founder of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum, he has created a nationally recognized space for education, reflection and dialogue.
“As an alumnus, I can honestly say that this is a peak experience,” he said.
“There’s just something about being appreciated in your own country, in your own community.”
Throughout his remarks, he returned to a central theme: gratitude for those who came before him, and responsibility to carry their legacy forward.
“All I have to do is remind myself of what my ancestors went through,” he reflected.
“They laid a foundation that we can build on and that’s what progress is all about.”
Championing youth through sport and education
Alumni Ambassador Award recipient Kurt Michael Downes called hearing his accomplishments read aloud “a surreal moment.”
A coach, educator and PhD candidate in kinesiology, Downes has shaped countless young lives through sport and education.
“I’ve had a few people say, ‘I’m here just for you,’” he said.
“And that kind of grounds me…maybe I have been that influential.”
Downes spoke candidly about the challenges he faced as a student — working multiple jobs and navigating financial barriers — and the mentors who helped him stay on track.
“If it hadn’t been for people who saw something in me, I wouldn’t have been able to finish my undergraduate degree,” he shared.
That experience continues to shape his approach today, both as an educator and a coach.
“To students, I’d say, tap into the resources that are here. Ask the questions,” he urged.
“There’s a ton more support available if you just ask.”
And for fellow alumni, his message was just as clear.
“Find ways to give back — whether it’s time, money or expertise,” he encouraged.
“It’s only going to make this university stronger.”
Leading with compassion in health care
The Alumni Odyssey Award, recognizing early-career achievement, was presented to Mandeep Bumbra, a health-care leader whose work is advancing patient care and equity across Ontario.
A UWindsor nursing graduate who later earned an MBA in Healthcare Management, Bumbra has built a career that bridges frontline clinical experience with system-level leadership. From improving cancer care delivery to leading initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, her impact has been both immediate and far-reaching.
Despite her accomplishments, Bumbra echoed a sentiment shared by her fellow recipients – feeling humbled by the recognition.
“I’ve been fortunate to create spaces for people but also to have had people create space for me,” she said.
“It feels like a bit of an out-of-body experience. I don’t think my younger self would have imagined all of this.”
Her advice to students and early-career alumni reflected that perspective.
“Don’t worry if it’s not all figured out,” she said.
“Strive for progress, not perfection.”
A shared message: Lead, give back and lift others
The Alumni Awards of Excellence not only celebrated individual achievement but also the collective impact of the University of Windsor’s global alumni community.
Closing the event, Leung reflected on the broader significance of the evening.
“Their stories resonate as a call to lead with purpose, to give back meaningfully and to ensure that those who follow have even greater opportunities than we did.”
With nominations open each year, the Alumni Association encourages graduates to recognize peers whose contributions deserve to be celebrated. University of Windsor alumni continue to create impact and shape communities locally and around the world.