For John Loewen [BSc/73], his time at the University of Manitoba (UM) was about far more than academics — it was about people, opportunity and the experiences that shaped his life.

Now, more than 50 years after graduating, Loewen (pronounced Lay-vin) is giving back in a transformative way. His $1 million gift — the largest in Bison Sports history — will support the Bisons Men’s Basketball program through a dedicated fund designed to enhance the student-athlete experience over the next decade.

For Loewen, the decision to give was deeply personal.

“Playing with the basketball team for five years was a formative time in my life. I learned so much from the people I played with, from the coaches, from everybody who was involved with that program,” he says. “That really is what leads to the donation. It’s a debt of gratitude for what the university and the program did for me.” 

From Bisons athlete to community leader

Raised in Winnipeg, Loewen chose UM in part to stay close to home and pursue basketball, a choice that would shape both his personal and professional life.

As a key leader on the Bisons Men’s Basketball team for five years in the early 1970s, he developed the skills and relationships that would follow him well beyond the court.

“It was a formative time in my life,” he says. “A lot of what I learned with the basketball team applied directly to my business career – the dedication, intensity, effort, understanding of teamwork. Not everyone needs to be the star, but everyone has an important role. That’s critical in the business world.”

After university, Loewen went on to a successful career in business and public service, including leadership roles with Comcheq (now Ceridian), Telpay and Payworks, as well as serving as an MLA for Fort Whyte.  

He also remained deeply involved in sport, as a coach, builder and champion of Manitoba athletics. Loewen was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2012, Loewen became part of the Bisons Walkway of Honour, and, in January 2026, he was inducted into the Herd Hoops Club Hall of Fame. 

A responsibility to give back

Loewen sees philanthropy not as a single moment, but as a lifelong commitment shaped by family values and lived experience.

“Those of us who are fortunate enough to give back have a responsibility to do so,” he says.  

Over the years, he has supported athletes, community initiatives and organizations across Manitoba, always guided by the same philosophy and a perspective rooted in gratitude.

Building a legacy for the next generation

Ultimately, Loewen hopes his gift will inspire others to reflect on their own experiences and consider how they can make a difference.

“This is really just an extension of being at a point in my life where I can give back to a community that was so good to me,” he says.  

And while the impact of his gift will be felt in facilities, programs and resources, its greatest legacy may lie in the opportunities it creates for future students.

“There’s no greater joy than seeing someone have the opportunity to take the next step,” he says.  

Looking back, Loewen credits UM not just for his education, but for the people and experiences that shaped him. He remains close with many of his former teammates and even some opponents, relationships that have lasted for over 50 years.