David Palmer

In photos: UUֱ��'s Black History Month Luncheon 2024

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:52:10 +0000

In photos: UUֱ��'s Black History Month Luncheon 2024

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 02/29/2024 - 14:52

Cutline

Volunteers serve food during the 22^ndedition of the Black History Month Luncheon, a signature event at UUֱ�� during Black History Month (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Mariam Matti

Topic

City & Culture

Black History Month Luncheon

David Palmer

Hart House

Meric Gertler

Glen Boothe says he always wonders how many people will turn out for the Black History Month Luncheon – an annual event that brings together the UUֱ�� community to celebrate Black excellence, history and culture.

“Every year, I go through this, ‘are enough people going to show up?’,” said Boothe, who works in UUֱ��’s division of advancement and co-founded the annual luncheon more than two decades ago.

He needn’t have worried.

Glen Boothe, a co-founder of the Black History Month Luncheon, thanks Michaëlle Jean for delivering the event’s keynote address (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Booth estimated nearly 600 people gathered in the Great Hall in Hart House for the 22^nd edition of the event this week – with many others joining the celebration virtually, including via a watch party hosted by UUֱ�� Mississauga.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “It’s tangible support.”

Lilly Phillip, a chef with UUֱ��’s Food Services, has been cooking for the luncheon for eight years (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Those who attended in person and virtually heard from keynote speaker Michaëlle Jean, a former journalist who served as governor general of Canada from 2005 to 2010, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and spoken-word poet Randell Adjei, who was named Ontario’s first poet laureate in 2021.

Spoken-word poet Randell Adjei gestures to the audience (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Senior UUֱ�� leaders, including President Meric Gertler, David Palmer, vice-president, advancement, Barbara Dick, assistant vice-president, alumni relations, and Dickson Eyoh, interim principal of UUֱ��’s New College, welcomed attendees and commended the event’s volunteer organizers.

“This is one of the signature events for UUֱ��’s annual Black History Month celebration,” President Gertler said.

UUֱ�� President Meric Gertler with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Michaëlle Jean, who served as Canada’s governor general from 2005 to 2010 (photo by Johnny Guatto)

President Gertler also remarked on the recent $5-million investment in the African Studies Centre and the Centre for Caribbean Studies by alumnus Richard Rooney, who was in attendance.

“It will help attract world-leading scholars through the establishment of two new endowed professorships and it will support the next generation of top minds through the creation of a pair of postdoctoral fellowships,” said President Gertler.

An estimated 600 people attended the Black History Month Luncheon in Hart House’s Great Hall (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Meanwhile, Palmer presented Jean with an achievement award – recognizing her service, leadership and impact nationally and globally.

Attendees at UUֱ�� Mississauga’s watch party listen to Michaëlle Jean via livestream (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Jean credited her mother and grandmother for motivating her to be an advocate from a young age.

“My mother constantly reminded me that indifference is not an option,” she said. “You have to be aware of what’s happening around you and how it affects you and others.

“Embrace this discomfort. Feel the pain but stand firm.”

Attendees line up in Hart House’s Great Hall as volunteers serve food (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Jean said her mother told her to use her voice, not just for her own cause, but for others too.

“Having perspective and knowing you can make a difference – that is the key to rising above adversity.”

UUֱ�� receives $15 million to establish The David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Rotman School of Management

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:29:19 +0000

UUֱ�� receives $15 million to establish The David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Rotman School of Management

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 02/29/2024 - 13:29

Topic

Rotman School of Management

Subheadline

The David Feldman Centre will be a catalyst for developing the next generation of skilled real estate professionals

A generous $15-million gift from David and Angela Feldman is propelling the UUֱ��’s expertise in real estate education and knowledge generation to the next level of global excellence.

The David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Rotman School of Management will equip students with the skills needed to become dynamic real estate professionals who can advise on the complex decisions needed to build, finance and manage capital-intensive real estate projects.

Recognized around the globe for its stability, the sophistication of its architecture and the sustainability of its building practices, Toronto’s market is the ideal environment to launch the next generation of world-class real estate leaders. The David Feldman Centre will deepen both UUֱ��’s and the industry’s global reputation for excellence.

“As cities like Toronto continue to grow, it’s critical that we have experts who are well-prepared to lead the development and management of real estate,” says Meric Gertler, president of the UUֱ��. “David Feldman’s generous and forward-thinking gift will enable UUֱ�� to educate the next generation of real estate leaders – and help us make cities more accommodating for all of their residents.”

The Feldmans’ gift comes at a crucial time. As we navigate our recovery from the pandemic, the impact of remote work and the skyrocketing demand for affordable housing, there’s an acute need for expertise on some of the most pressing real estate challenges facing society today. To meet that need, the David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics will embed and strengthen real estate teaching within the MBA and Rotman Commerce programs at the Rotman School. This will help ensure that students have the academic grounding needed to succeed in the real estate industry – and take on challenges like the housing crisis.

The David Feldman Centre will also tackle urgent questions that span the fields of urban economics and real estate – including the economics of cities, real estate development, house price dynamics and more. The centre’s cutting-edge research will help inform how we address pressing economic, environmental and social issues facing our cities.

“As the world’s largest asset class, real estate plays a critical role in our lives and portfolios,” notes Susan Christoffersen, dean of the Rotman School and William A. Downe BMO Chair in Finance. “David Feldman’s visionary investment will reinvigorate real estate education and shape the real estate sector of the future.”

This transformational gift will support that training effort – and spark innovative co-curricular offerings that leverage UUֱ��’s vast array of related disciplines. The David Feldman Centre will combine UUֱ��’s strengths in real estate, urban economics and other adjacent fields to deliver executive training, workshops and public events that prepare students to be exceptional leaders within the industry. Through this, students will gain complementary skills in finance, negotiation, team building, leadership, valuation, investment, sustainability and public and private financing.

This interdisciplinary vision marks the David Feldman Centre as truly unique – and will help foster a dynamic and agile generation of real estate professionals with the expertise needed to reshape the real estate industry and inform policy that improves our cities.

“It’s important to recognize that the issues around housing, offices and real estate in general won’t be solved overnight,” says David Feldman, president, founder and CEO of Camrost Felcorp. “The challenges are often generational in nature. That’s why our family supported the decision to make a purposeful contribution to the UUֱ��’s Rotman School of Management. With its multidisciplinary resources, Rotman will provide a solid foundation for the establishment of the David Feldman Centre. Our family has high expectations for the growth and success of the centre, and we believe that its graduates will possess the skills to lead and implement thoughtful solutions that meet the housing and community needs for today and for future generations.”

David Feldman’s development firm Camrost Felcorp has been in business for almost 50 years and has built many award-winning communities in the Greater Toronto Area, including office and commercial towers, rental and condominium complexes, and public, senior citizen housing and co-operative housing.

“The Feldman family’s gift is a shining example of how mission-driven philanthropists are finding compelling reasons to partner with UUֱ��,” says David Palmer, vice-president, advancement at UUֱ��. “Today’s donation will further define their corporate and personal legacies as city builders. Thanks to their generosity, the David Feldman Centre will be a game-changer for how we train people to think about real estate and shape the future of our city region.”

Ultimately, by cultivating tomorrow’s real estate leaders, the David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics is destined to become one of the world’s leading research and learning establishments for real estate and urban economics.

Add new story tags

David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics

UUֱ�� constructing Canada’s tallest academic timber building

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:18:33 +0000

UUֱ�� constructing Canada’s tallest academic timber building

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/18/2024 - 13:18

Cutline

The Academic Wood Tower has started to take shape in the Bloor Street cultural corridor, where it will serve as a beacon for green architecture – and provide high-quality spaces for three of the university’s faculties and schools (Rendering courtesy of Patkau Architects + MJMA)

Topic

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Goldring Centre

Meric Gertler

Rotman School of Management

Sustainability

The UUֱ�� has begun raising a new 14-storey mass timber building that will set a precedent for sustainable design.

Once complete, the tower is expected to be the tallest academic timber structure in Canada and one of the tallest mass timber and steel hybrid buildings in North America.

U of T, which was recently named the world’s most sustainable university by QS World Rankings, is committed to furthering its role as a global model with projects like these.

“This inspiring piece of architecture will provide our students, faculty and staff with state-of-the-art spaces for research, learning and community engagement,” said Meric Gertler, president of the university. “It will stand as a testament to U of T’s global leadership in sustainability, as well as our commitment to city-building. It will also showcase Canada’s leadership in wood construction technologies and the forest products industry. We are very grateful to our donors and to all those helping us to realize this incredibly exciting vision.”

State-of-the-art spaces for three U of T faculties and schools

Located near the intersection of Devonshire Place and Bloor Street on U of T’s St. George campus, the tower will provide high-quality spaces for the Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.

Widely considered one of the world’s most innovative business schools, Rotman is home to a unique ecosystem of labs and research centres that provide cutting-edge thought leadership. The top five floors of the Academic Wood Tower will house Rotman’s specialized executive education programs.

“The Academic Wood Tower will provide ample space to inspire our program’s participants as they work to explore and transform themselves, their organizations and their communities,” said Susan Christoffersen, dean of the Rotman School of Management. “Carefully designed to set a precedent in sustainability, space configuration and educational technologies, the tower will equip researchers and learners with the tools and forward-thinking design to educate the leaders of tomorrow on pressing business topics.”

The Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy is a world-renowned hub for dialogue and debate, highly sought after for its thought leadership on the most pressing issues of our time. It hosts hundreds of high-impact events each year that engage scholars from across U of T and around the world.

“I’m delighted that the Munk School’s faculty and students will be part of the Academic Wood Tower community,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “This new building will provide much-needed space as our experts continue to provide timely research guidance on current events and train tomorrow’s leaders in public policy.”

“We look forward to bringing together students, faculty and other community members in this inspiring space,” added Peter Loewen, professor in the department of political science and director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.

The tower will be directly connected to the Munk School Observatory building and the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, one of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education’s main facilities. The new floors will allow the faculty to continue to expand its work as one of the world’s top-ranked sports science programs of its kind, which includes facilitating the university’s massive slate of co-curricular physical activity and sports programs.

“The Academic Wood Tower will provide critical additional space for our faculty,” said Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. “Its proximity to the Goldring Centre and Varsity Stadium will provide us with a fantastic – and convenient – set of facilities as we continue to support healthy living through our teaching, research and programming.”

A highly watched case study in sustainable design

Even prior to construction, the Academic Wood Tower was attracting significant attention for its innovative design.

Designed by award-winning Canadian firms Patkau Architects and MJMA Architecture & Design with consulting from Blackwell Structural Engineers and Smith+Andersen, the Academic Wood Tower’s unique and sustainable structure has already won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence.

The same team worked on U of T’s Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, which included the tower’s foundation and basement as part of its construction. Now, with the first deliveries of mass-timber components to the site, construction of the Academic Wood Tower is proceeding under the management of industry leader Pomerleau. The university anticipates completing the building in 2026.

The building is expected to serve as a case study for designers and engineers who can analyze this milestone achievement and potentially apply the tower’s best practices to their own projects.

“U of T’s Academic Wood Tower proves that we can reduce emissions, responsibly construct new buildings and contribute to the vibrant architectural fabric of a dense city like Toronto,” said Sandra Hanington, vice-chair of the university’s Governing Council.

Mass timber offers a wealth of structural advantages, including a high degree of fire safety and a low carbon footprint. Wood naturally absorbs carbon, taking it out of the atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gases. It is also one of the only major building materials that is a renewable resource.

Many of the tower’s components can be manufactured prior to their arrival, which means that they can be assembled easily and efficiently once on site, minimizing the level of construction disruption in this busy area of the city.

Working together on a global issue

Funding the tower’s construction has been a collective effort with the federal government and numerous donors all making key contributions to bring this vision to life.

The building has received significant support from the Government of Canada’s Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program, which encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects to help Canada reach its Paris Agreement commitments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada is a leader in wood construction technologies and home to one of the largest forest industries in the world. Fittingly, the tower’s timber is homegrown, originating in Western Canada.

“The Government of Canada’s Green Construction through Wood program is supporting more sustainable Canadian materials for the construction industry,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of energy and natural resources. “The UUֱ��’s Academic Wood Tower project is one of many examples of innovative technologies being used to create resilient and low-carbon buildings, while preventing carbon emissions. I congratulate all those involved in this important project.”

“The Academic Wood Tower at UUֱ�� is a historic development that symbolizes where we are headed: a cleaner future where Canadian workers sustainably use Canadian materials to build more affordable and sustainable communities,” added Julie Dabrusin, parliamentary secretary to the minister of environment and climate change and to the minister of energy and natural resources. “The Government of Canada is pleased to help get this tower built, right here in Toronto.”

The project’s commitments to sustainability and innovation are an example of the university’s Defy Gravity campaign priorities in action. Donor support has been critical to getting the tower off the ground.

“U of T’s donors make projects of this scale a reality,” said David Palmer, vice-president, university advancement. “Their inspiring commitment has given the world a striking and practical blueprint for building sustainable design – tangibly demonstrating that we can create inviting, cutting-edge research and learning spaces while maintaining our commitment to sustainability.”

Explore related campaign priorities: Create a sustainable future

UUֱ�� breaks ground on state-of-the-art building for training health professionals in Scarborough

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 19:23:00 +0000

UUֱ�� breaks ground on state-of-the-art building for training health professionals in Scarborough

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:23

Cutline

A rendering of the SAMIH building's ground floor (image courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects and MVRDV)

Advancement Staff

Topic

Our Community

David Palmer

Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health

Wisdom Tettey

Division of University Advancement

Health

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Meric Gertler

UUֱ�� Scarborough

Subheadline

A dynamic new facility will house the vital Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health – and help meet an urgent need for health professionals in the Eastern GTA

The UUֱ�� has made history, breaking ground on a building that will house a much-needed new medical academy.

The first of its kind in Scarborough, the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) will train physicians, nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals right in the region – to serve the region.

A recent $25-million gift from Orlando Corporation will support the construction of the building. SAMIH itself has received funding as part of the Government of Ontario’s plan to increase the number of health-care workers in the province.

“We are so grateful for the gift from the Orlando Corporation and the investment by the Ford Government, which have led us to this exciting day,” said UUֱ�� President Meric Gertler. “This state-of-the-art building will enable UUֱ�� to cultivate a bold new generation of health leaders who reflect the communities they serve.”

“We expect that the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health will attract many local students from Scarborough and the Eastern GTA,” said Wisdom Tettey, UUֱ�� vice-president and principal of UUֱ�� Scarborough. “These talented individuals will play an important role in meeting the health-care needs of under-served communities and helping to advance health equity.”

The purpose-built, five-storey building will occupy 144, 482 square feet and sit at the corner of Military Trail and Morningside Avenue – a prominent gateway to UUֱ�� Scarborough, directly across from the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

“This vibrant new hub for health education in Scarborough is critical to increasing access to health care,” said Patricia Houston, interim dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and interim vice-provost, relations with health-care institutions. “It will help provide equitable, integrated and compassionate care in the Eastern GTA – and, ultimately, it will help improve lives across the region.”

To support the vision for this new academy, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and UUֱ��’s Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing will expand their training to UUֱ�� Scarborough. Building on the university’s history of educating tens of thousands of health professionals – a legacy that extends back over a century – SAMIH will graduate approximately 40 physicians, approximately 60 physician assistants, 30 nurse practitioners and 40 physical therapists per year. More than 300 new health sciences students will join UUֱ�� Scarborough’s campus, further strengthening SAMIH as a key hub for health education in the Eastern GTA. The newly revamped health sciences undergraduate program offers unique placement opportunities and paid co-ops, enabling students to learn in a close-knit campus setting.

This new generation of health-care professionals will help fill a serious gap, with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care having identified Scarborough as an area in high need of physicians. The shortage includes family doctors, as well as other specialists such as child and adult psychiatrists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners and emergency medical physicians.

“Our government is proud to support this historic medical school expansion,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health will build on the investments we’re making to help ensure Scarborough and the Durham Region have the health care workers they need now and into the future.”

The impact on the region will be significant. Projected to open in September 2026, the building will include a clinical psychology clinic; a pharmacy clinic (Discovery Pharmacy) led by faculty and students from UUֱ��’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy; and clinical settings in which nurse practitioner students, under supervision, can provide direct care to the community. The building will also feature an anatomy lab for medical students, two large technology-enhanced active learning (TEAL) classrooms, a 21-bed clinical skills lab and 10 case-based learning instructional labs.

“A dynamic learning space can make all the difference in education – especially when attracting the best and brightest students,” said Anna Kennedy, chair of UUֱ��’s Governing Council. “This building is an example of one such space. We anticipate that many of the students who will fill its hallways will go on to become some of the region’s top health-care professionals.”

Construction began on the site in early fall 2023, with a ground blessing conducted by UUֱ�� Scarborough’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives in October. Excavation is anticipated to start in January 2024. The project team includes the construction services company EllisDon and the architecture firms Diamond Schmitt and MVRDV.

The Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health will strengthen connections across numerous hospitals and networks. Its partners will include the Scarborough Health Network, Michael Garron Hospital, Lakeridge Health and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. UUֱ�� will build upon existing relationships with local community partners to develop new research and teaching opportunities.

This dynamic hub will bring UUֱ��’s nurse practitioner program to the region. The program is highly sought after for its approach to providing personalized, holistic and high-quality health care to clients and patients across their lifespans.

“This incredible building will help foster a vital pipeline for nurse practitioners,” said Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. “Nurse practitioners play a critical role in the health of communities, and future graduates of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health have the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of people in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA.”

Similarly, the Discovery Pharmacy at SAMIH will provide pharmacy services and interprofessional experiential learning opportunities for students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. It will also help enhance connections with practising pharmacists in health networks in the surrounding area.

“As the scope of practice for pharmacists in Ontario continues to expand, finding new ways to collaborate across health professions is central to redefining health education and how we deliver health care” said Lisa Dolovich, dean of Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

The new building is poised to bring enormous benefits to the region. In addition to enabling the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health to meet the health-care professional shortage by creating a pool of talented graduates, the new facility will help drive innovation and economic growth.

“The Orlando Corporation’s benefaction stands as a model for visionary philanthropy,” said David Palmer, UUֱ��’s vice-president of advancement. “It’s a beacon of extraordinary generosity with the potential to inspire other transformative investments in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA.”

UUֱ�� appoints Christine Szustaczek vice-president, communications

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:23:11 +0000

UUֱ�� appoints Christine Szustaczek vice-president, communications

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 04/03/2023 - 11:23

Cutline

Christine Szustaczek, an award-winning public relations and communications leader, has been appointed UUֱ��'s vice-president, communications for a five-year term (supplied image)

Topic

The UUֱ�� has appointed Christine Szustaczek, an award-winning public relations and communications leader, as vice-president, communications for a five-year term.

Szustaczek’s appointment, which takes effect May 15, 2023 through June 30, 2028, was recently approved by the university’s Governing Council following a comprehensive international search. As head of UUֱ�� Communications (UTC), Szustaczek will be charged with enhancing internal communications and sharing UUֱ��’s story – including the wide-ranging impact of its world-leading research and scholarship – with a global audience.

An alumna and former UUֱ�� administrator, Szustaczek currently serves as vice-president, external relations at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, where she is responsible for strategic communications, public relations, institutional events, marketing, brand strategy, government relations, community engagement, advancement and alumni relations.

“On behalf of the entire UUֱ�� community, I am delighted to welcome Christine Szustaczek to the senior leadership team,” said UUֱ�� President Meric Gertler. “As leader of the tri-campus UUֱ�� Communications, Ms. Szustaczek will play a critical role in advancing strategic external and internal communications and public engagement for the university.

“She brings to this important position a communications approach that combines academic rigour with real-world practice – and a remarkable record of leadership and accomplishment in higher education and the broader public sector.”

A trusted adviser to Sheridan’s president and vice-presidential colleagues, board of governors and deans and directors, Szustaczek previously held the position of chief communications officer at the college. During that period, she advanced internal communications, guided the institution through multiple complex issues and oversaw an important rebranding effort. Prior to that, she served as Sheridan’s associate vice-president, communications, public affairs and marketing, where she integrated the three distinct teams to advance institutional objectives. She began her time at Sheridan in the newly created position of director of corporate communications and external relations.

“I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of vice-president, communications at the UUֱ��, one of the world’s top-ranked public universities,” said Szustaczek. “The opportunity to return to UUֱ�� and help lead an institution that fuels individual, economic, and societal transformation is both humbling and exhilarating. I look forward to working across the three campuses to serve our constituents and stakeholders, showcase people’s inspiring and game-changing work, and to explain to the public how UUֱ�� continually lives up to its character and delivers on the promise of its Defy Gravity brand.”

Szustaczek is widely regarded as an agile and collaborative leader who is highly skilled in managing relationships and developing people. Her work has been recognized by her peers with more than 50 prestigious awards, including the Heather Pullen Memorial Award for Ethical Public Relations and multiple awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She has also published in the Journal of Education Advancement and Marketing and the Journal of Professional Communication.

Before joining Sheridan, Szustaczek spent eight years running her own consultancy, helping a range of broader public sector agencies – including many colleges and universities – share their unique stories and communicate their impact.

She also spent six years working at UUֱ�� – first as a senior development officer and senior donor relations officer in the division of university relations and the Rotman School of Management, and then as director of communications and associate director of development in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. She also served as UUֱ�� Engineering’s acting executive director of advancement.

Szustaczek holds an honours bachelor of arts degree in international relations and a minor in economics from UUֱ��, and a master’s degree in communications management from McMaster University. She is accredited in public relations by the Canadian Public Relations Society and is a member of the board of directors of the Alice and Murray Maitland Foundation and Sheridan College’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre at Pinewood Studios in Toronto.

President Gertler thanked the advisory committee for its advice and guidance. He also thanked David Palmer, UUֱ��’s vice-president, advancement, who has served so ably as interim vice-president, communications since Oct. 1, 2022.

UUֱ�� to hold inaugural Giving Day on March 28

lanthierj — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 16:35:06 +0000

UUֱ�� to hold inaugural Giving Day on March 28

lanthierj Fri, 03/10/2023 - 11:35

Cutline

UUֱ��’s global community will come together for a special, one-day drive to support the Defy Gravity campaign and celebrate inclusive excellence (photo by Matthew Dochstader/Paradox Images)

Topic

Our Community

David Palmer

Defy Gravity

Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health

Alumni

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

St. George

UUֱ�� Mississauga

UUֱ�� Scarborough

The UUֱ�� is inviting its global community of alumni, friends, faculty members and staff to participate in its inaugural “Giving Day” on March 28.

The university will match contributions up to $1,000 dollar-for-dollar while matching funds last. It is also encouraging alumni to share their involvement on social media and to “like” and share UUֱ��’s posts about the remarkable students and researchers who are applying their diverse expertise, experiences and perspectives to solve societal challenges.

Giving Day celebrates UUֱ��’s commitment to inclusive excellence – the driving inspiration for its Defy Gravity campaign, which aims to raise $4 billion and encourage 225,000 alumni to contribute their time and talent to the university one million times collectively.

Claire Kennedy, a co-chair of UUֱ��’s Defy Gravity campaign, says the campaign is deepening the scope and impact of transformative work across the university.

“It’s truly wonderful to see our global community embracing and supporting UUֱ��’s role as an engine for leadership and positive social impact,” she says.

“Giving Day gives us a unique, one-day opportunity to build on this.”

Donations made on Giving Day will support student wellness and success, create scholarships for students from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups and fuel diverse research on a broad range of global issues.

“It’s no small goal to build a more sustainable, prosperous and equitable future for everyone, but we can do it with the help of our incredible community,” says campaign co-chair John Cassaday. “By matching donations on Giving Day, we can multiply the opportunities to help our bright students and faculty members thrive.”

Twenty-four-hour-long giving days provide post-secondary institutions and charities across North America with opportunities to harness the power of collective generosity and build community.

Sana Halwani, president of the UUֱ�� Alumni Association and member of the Defy Gravity Campaign Steering Committee, says she and her fellow board members are excited to participate in Giving Day. “Support contributes to a sense of belonging and is key to nurturing our students, staff, faculty members, volunteers and alumni,” she says.

Ultimately, Kennedy and Cassaday say UUֱ��’s Giving Day on March 28 will be about making an impact and strengthening what makes UUֱ�� an exceptional place.

“By embracing diverse ideas, perspectives and cultures, UUֱ�� is creating a generation of thinkers who are willing to challenge orthodoxy, ask big questions and push boundaries,” Cassady says. “It’s exciting and precisely what the world needs right now.”

As part of Giving Day, the university is amplifying stories about talented UUֱ�� students and researchers, including Nya Lazarus Munnick, a master’s student in sustainability management, whose research aims to help vulnerable communities enhance resiliency, social well-being and environmental sustainability; Amy Shawanda, who is conducting post-doctoral research in the Indigenization of public health at the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health; and first-year electrical and computer engineering student John David Genus, who is working to ensure more students see future careers in STEM.

“Members of the UUֱ�� community worldwide have an unprecedented opportunity to make an impact and come together to help our students and researchers thrive,” says David Palmer, UUֱ��’s vice-president, advancement and interim vice-president, communications. “UUֱ�� Giving Day demonstrates our shared Defy Gravity campaign values and underscores our ability to achieve incredible things, including addressing the most urgent issues of our time.

“Simply put, we thrive when we rise together.”

In Memoriam: John H. Daniels (1926 - 2022)

lanthierj — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:50:40 +0000

In Memoriam: John H. Daniels (1926 - 2022)

lanthierj Fri, 10/28/2022 - 10:50

Cutline

The UUֱ�� fondly remembers real estate developer John H. Daniels, whose visionary generosity was game-changing for architecture education in Canada. (photo by Al Gilbert, C.M.)

Topic

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Meric Gertler

The UUֱ�� community is mourning John H. Daniels, the visionary architect, real estate developer and philanthropist who passed away on Oct. 22, 2022 at age 96.

A UUֱ�� alumnus who earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1950 and received an honorary degree in 2011, Daniels' lifelong generosity helped Toronto’s students and citizens alike – he built the iconic Toronto Eaton Centre, set in motion groundbreaking projects to make housing more affordable and catalyzed a game-changing revolution in Canadian architecture education.

Daniels and his wife Myrna Daniels have given more than $30 million to U of T. These gifts helped the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design to build a new, innovative foundation in undergraduate education, raise the ceiling of scholarship with a PhD program, amalgamate U of T’s programs in visual studies and forestry, quadruple enrolment, raise its global profile and create a new home in the award-winning Daniels Building.

“John H. Daniels was a vital member of the UUֱ�� family,” says U of T President Meric Gertler. “A celebrated innovator in urban development, John was guided by a strong social conscience rooted in his own experience as an immigrant to this country.

“John and Myrna’s incredible generosity propelled the University to become a major international hub for architecture and design, both through transforming the spectacular Daniels Building and through their unstinting support for talented undergraduate and graduate students. We will miss him greatly. I offer sincere condolences to Myrna, to his colleagues at The Daniels Corporation, and to his and Myrna’s families.”

John H. Daniels rose to success through championing accessibility and removing barriers to home ownership

Daniels was born in Poland and immigrated to Canada in 1939 when he was 12 years old. He saw his new country as a refuge, a welcoming place of opportunity and a beacon of diversity. As a high school valedictorian in 1944, he wrote: “Canada will be a home for many millions of peoples and many different races and creeds. Let us realize we are all Canadians and pride ourselves with more community consciousness. We shall put away all our selfish desires and work together to establish a model country for all the world.” These ideals were to inform all his later career as an advocate for equality and a champion of Canada.

In 1949, while a student at UUֱ��’s faculty of architecture, Daniels made his first foray into real estate development by founding Modern Age Construction. Though intended as a summer building project to help raise some tuition money, the project showed the young entrepreneur his way forward. He went on to become CEO of the Cadillac Fairview Development Corporation, where he helped build Toronto’s Eaton Centre and the Erin Mills community in Mississauga.

In 1983, Daniels left Cadillac Fairview to start The Daniels Corporation, a company that would quickly become synonymous with vibrant communities, affordable housing, social infrastructure and architectural innovation. Responsible for countless Canadian residential development projects, The Daniels Corporation also worked closely with government to develop thousands of non-profit rental units and founded the FirstHome communities to lower market barriers for first-time homebuyers.

The company was also instrumental in revitalizing the Regent Park neighbourhood, transforming it from a failed public housing estate to a vital, growing community at the centre of Toronto. John and Myrna were also early investors in the Toronto International Film Festival, supporting the iconic and fully accessible Bell Lightbox Theatre.

Through three major gifts to UUֱ��, John H. Daniels created countless opportunities for architecture and design students

John Daniels’ personal success inspired him to give back to his alma mater. In 2008, he and his wife Myrna made a generous $14-million gift to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, ensuring that gifted students would have access to critical financial aid. The John and Myrna Daniels Scholars endowment has provided 287 individual awards to 128 students so far, with a preference to those who may be the first in their family to pursue a post-secondary education. “Education is the foundation of so much of what I have been able to accomplish,” he told the Globe and Mail at the time.

Just five years later, the couple gave a further $10 million to build a remarkable new home for the Daniels Faculty in the Daniels Building at 1 Spadina Crescent. The project revitalized a landmark 19th-century site, combining with the heritage building to create 155,000 square feet of inspiring studio spaces, an innovative fabrication lab, a green roof laboratory, lecture halls and exhibition galleries, and an expansive atrium.

The Daniels Building has been written about widely, garnered critical praise and won 30 local and international prizes and awards – a matter of great pride to Daniels. This record of distinction, along with the Daniels Faculty’s growing reputation and stellar faculty, has attracted exceptional students to the school’s undergraduate, professional and PhD programs. These include architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, art/visual studies and, more recently, forestry.

Many of those students received generous scholarship support, always at the heart of the couple’s giving. In 2018, an additional $6-million gift from their foundation created the endowed John and Myrna Daniels Foundation Opportunity Awards.

John H. Daniels was a visionary who helped build a better future

“John Daniels leaves behind an incredible legacy,” says Juan Du, dean of the Daniels Faculty. “In addition to establishing one of the most influential and civic-minded companies in Canada, responsible for landmark projects in Toronto’s city core and beyond, he has contributed through his vision and generosity to the education of generations of architects, landscape architects, artists and scientists at the Faculty. His insistence on excellence and his support for advanced education will continue to inspire all of us for years to come.”

“John was a ‘city-builder’ long before the phrase became popular,” adds Richard Sommer, former dean of the Daniels Faculty and Director of the Global Cities Institute. “He had a humility that could belie the sharpness of his intellect, his uncompromising will to excel, and his array of accomplishments. We will miss him, but take solace in remembering what a long and inspiring life he led.”

“In a way, John Daniels never left his alma mater,” says David Palmer, UUֱ��’s vice-president, advancement. “His giving at UUֱ�� was strongly tied to a desire for future generations of students to enjoy the education he had, to make Canada a global leader, and to share in his vision for sustainable, innovative architecture that is accessible to all. For that, we will be forever grateful.”

Listen to John H. Daniels’ speech to graduating students at the 2011 UUֱ�� convocation.

UUֱ�� celebrates official opening of Robarts Common

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:19:08 +0000

UUֱ�� celebrates official opening of Robarts Common

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 09/13/2022 - 09:19

Cutline

Robarts Common, the new five-story addition to Robarts Library, provides room for 1,200 students to study in quiet or to socialize in soundproofed rooms and accessible spaces (photo by Matt Volpe)

Topic

The UUֱ�� community recently gathered at a special ceremony to formally open Robarts Common, the new five-story addition to Robarts Library that was designed as a dedicated space for students.

With ample natural light, room for 1,200 students to study in quiet or socialize in soundproofed rooms and accessible spaces for the entire U of T community, Robarts Common is a human-centred, collaborative area. Opening in advance of the 50th anniversary of Robarts Library, Robarts Common is part of a wider revitalization of the iconic building in the heart of U of T’s downtown campus.

The stunning new space was made possible through the support of a generous gift from the late Russell and Katherine Morrison, along with support from more than one thousand other donors.

“Russell and Katherine Morrison understood well the library’s central place in a student’s intellectual development and educational experience,” said UUֱ�� President Meric Gertler at the official Robarts Common opening ceremony on Sept. 9. “They were profoundly dedicated to ensuring that U of T students would have access to the very best library and study spaces – state-of-the-art, comfortable and beautiful. And through their vision and generosity, they have done just that, together with the many other donors who have made these light-filled spaces possible.”

A dream to create an amazing space for students

“Dedicated spaces like the new Robarts Common are vital not just for the student experience but also as a way to encourage more open inquiry and research, more democratic debate and more civic engagement – all critical factors in the future success of our country and, indeed, our world,” said Chair of UUֱ��’s Governing Council Janet L. Ecker.

“Robarts Common is the realization of a dream shared by my late parents, along with so many others who gave generously to help create this amazing space,” said Robert Morrison, the son of Russell and Katherine. “This glorious new building will highlight the importance of the library in student life, and will inspire discovery, daring creativity, and a life-long thirst for knowledge.”

The Morrisons, who donated $40 million to U of T, were both ardent supporters of UUֱ�� Libraries. Katherine Morrison was among the first generation of students to use Robarts, which opened in 1973, and she recalled spending most of her time there during her graduate studies – a key factor in the Morrisons’ inspiration to support Robarts Common. The university awarded Russell and Katherine Morrison honorary degrees in 2004 in recognition of their tremendous dedication to students and higher education.

Devoted entirely to student use, the new addition is a “campus living room” and is available to anyone from across U of T’s three campuses. Robarts Common includes hundreds of spots for quiet reading, eight dedicated group study rooms, ample, comfortable seating and full connectivity. The addition represents a significant enhancement for the nearly 18,000 daily visitors to Robarts Library.

A campus jewel, Robarts Common was supported by more than a thousand donors

“Robarts Common reflects U of T Libraries’ global stature, and our special place at the heart of the U of T community,” said UUֱ�� Chief Librarian Larry Alford. “It is a crown jewel for the university libraries, a much-needed element of the revitalization of the historic Robarts Library, and an extension of our work not just in supporting our community – but building it.”

“[Robarts Common] will only amplify Robarts Library’s role as U of T’s heart,” said Rion Levy, who is a third year Faculty of Arts & Science student at Victoria College studying literature and critical theory and material culture and semiotics, as well as co-editor-in-chief of The Strand newspaper. “Its student-centred architecture and design has already drawn students in, and I’m sure it will quickly become a favourite spot for all kinds of scholars here.”

The official opening of Robarts Common comes during the first year of UUֱ��’s Defy Gravity campaign, which aims to raise $4 billion towards the university’s highest priorities as well as inspire 225,000 alumni to get involved as volunteers, mentors, donors, participants and leaders, and contribute their time and talent to the university one million times collectively.

“Robarts Common embodies the spirit of Defy Gravity and how U of T and UUֱ�� Libraries continue to re-imagine the role of the modern library as a symbol of free and open inquiry,” said David Palmer, U of T vice-president, advancement. “This is a people-focused place for scholars at every level, who will forge bold new ideas and life-long connections – impacting not only their lives, but the wider world.”

UUֱ�� receives $7-million gift to usher in a new era of performance and music education at the Faculty of Music

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 23:48:11 +0000

UUֱ�� receives $7-million gift to usher in a new era of performance and music education at the Faculty of Music

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 06/28/2022 - 19:48

Cutline

The state-of-the-art Jay Telfer Forum will provide a dynamic space where students can hone their performance acumen, scholars can exchange ideas, and globally renowned artists can share their talents (Diller Scofidio + Renfro)

Topic

A generous gift from Ian Telfer and Nancy Burke will support the construction and ongoing operations of a beautiful and innovative new venue for the university’s renowned Faculty of Music. This gift is the largest ever received by the faculty, and one of the most significant in support of music in this country.

The Jay Telfer Forum – named in honour of Ian Telfer’s late brother, musician and screenwriter Jay Telfer – will provide Toronto’s arts and culture sector with a much-needed mid-sized performance venue, where some of Canada’s most inspiring music students can develop their talents and scholars can exchange musical ideas. A venue of this quality will also help attract notable artists to the city.

“The Jay Telfer Forum will have a profound impact on the educational experience of music students at UUֱ��. It will give them the opportunity to hone their artistry in a stunningly beautiful, state-of-the-art venue with a jaw-dropping view of the Toronto skyline. And it will place them at the centre of a bustling new crossroads of other students and scholars, as well as leading performers and the general public,” said UUֱ�� President Meric Gertler. “On behalf of the UUֱ��, I would like to thank Ian Telfer and Nancy Burke for their transformative leadership and generosity in enabling us to realize this incredibly exciting vision for the University and the city around us.”

Once built, the Jay Telfer Forum will be an especially ideal venue for soloists and chamber music groups. It will feature top-notch acoustics, stunning views of Toronto, and flexible, technologically advanced infrastructure capable of bringing the forum’s thrilling performances to the world through high-quality recordings and livestreams. In addition to the forum’s primary use as a live music venue, it will host conferences and academic events, serving as a hub of artistic innovation and scholarly exchange for the university and the city at large. This incredible space will also enhance performance education at the Faculty of Music.

“It is a feature of our programs for students to perform in professional-quality venues, which prepares them for future artistic careers, and for our researchers to engage the public with their ground-breaking music research,” said Ellie Hisama, dean of the Faculty of Music. “The Jay Telfer Forum will significantly enhance these opportunities for both students and the thousands of audience members who join us for our public events every year.”

“The Jay Telfer Forum will be a fitting tribute to my brother: a place where rising musicians can learn, experiment, and grow,” said Ian Telfer. “Nancy and I hope this gift will lift up the entire arts community in Toronto as it emerges from one of its most challenging eras.”

The university’s Faculty of Music and its over 7,500 alumni have been foundational to Toronto’s vibrant music scene, with dozens of arts organizations tracing their roots to the faculty. It has produced some of the greatest artists of our generation – including Academy Award-winning film composer Mychael Danna, Grammy-winning soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan, and soprano and multidisciplinary creative Measha Brueggergosman – and its graduates have won numerous Canadian and international awards for their work.

The Jay Telfer Forum will be a prominent centrepiece of a new development at 90 Queen’s Park for the study of civilizations, cultures, and cities. Once complete, the forum will enrich the area’s existing landscape of arts organizations, which includes the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Faculty of Music’s two other public venues, MacMillan Theatre and Walter Hall.

The donation from Ian Telfer and Nancy Burke is contributing to the university’s Defy Gravity campaign – the largest alumni engagement and fundraising effort in Canadian history. The campaign aims to inspire 225,000 alumni to contribute their time and talent to the university one million times collectively, and to raise $4 billion to develop the ideas, innovations, and talent necessary to address the most pressing global challenges of our time.

“This gift is an inspiring example of how philanthropy can help unite us at a time when human connection and live performance have become more precious and important than ever,” said David Palmer, UUֱ��’s vice-president, advancement. “Its impact will be felt throughout the entire Toronto arts community.”

For more than a hundred years, UUֱ��’s Faculty of Music has been Canada’s leading institution for music creation, performance education, and innovative research in areas such as ethnomusicology, musicology, music education, music theory, and music and health. It prepares future generations of arts leaders, including hundreds of performers, composers, scholars, and educators who shape tomorrow’s musical experience and sustain Canada’s cultural economy. The faculty hosts over 600 events in a typical year – more than any other local institution – with performances spanning a range of genres, from classical and jazz to pop, world music, and opera.

Now UUֱ�� grads, three Mastercard Foundation Scholars keen to give back to their communities

geoff.vendeville — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 16:12:25 +0000

Now UUֱ�� grads, three Mastercard Foundation Scholars keen to give back to their communities

geoff.vendeville Fri, 06/24/2022 - 12:12

Cutline

From left to right: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Gladys Opeoluwa Olubowale, Providence Tatenda Mapingire and Modestus Nzubechi Amaechi.

Topic

International Students

Mastercard Scholars

Undergraduate Students

The final cohort of Mastercard Foundation Scholars are graduating from the UUֱ�� this spring – the culmination of their journey from Sub-Saharan Africa to Canada.

Nearly a decade ago, UUֱ�� was among the first Canadian universities to partner with the Mastercard Foundation to offer talented students from the region an opportunity to study in Canada on a scholarship covering their tuition, travel, housing and other expenses.

Over the years, UUֱ�� has welcomed dozens of bright young students through the current iteration of the program – many of whom were eager to help their communities both locally and back home. Michael Samakayi, a Deaf student from Zambia, helped launch an American Sign Language Club on campus and successfully advocated for an undergraduate linguistics course in the Faculty of Arts & Science that focuses on ASL and Deaf culture. Emmanuela Alimlim, the first from her village in Kenya to study abroad, founded an initiative to support and encourage students in Kenya who are seeking to access higher education.

“We are confident that the impact of this inspiring Mastercard scholars’ gift will continue to be felt both here in Canada and in Africa for many years to come,” said David Palmer, vice-president, advancement. “Bolstered by the education and real-world experiences they received through this visionary program, these talented young students are already making a difference in their communities.”

Below, three members of the final, 12-member cohort UUֱ�� Mastercard Foundation Scholars – Gladys Opeoluwa Olubowale, Providence Tatenda Mapingire and Modestus Nzubechi Amaechi – reflect on their paths to graduation, from their first impressions of Canadian winters to their post-convocation plans.

Gladys Opeoluwa Olubowale

Home country: Nigeria

Studying: Chemical engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

When I first joined UUֱ�� in 2017, I already knew I wanted to pursue research, which is one of the reasons I decided to join the chemical engineering program.

I quickly got involved in research by becoming an undergraduate research assistant in food engineering in my second year. I found many aspects of research work very engaging and rewarding – from working in the lab to working on a research poster.

All this culminated in presenting my research work at Undergraduate Engineering Research Day here at UUֱ��. I found my research work so fulfilling that I decided to work on an independent thesis project. Through this, I went through the process of conducting my research independently in the lab, leading a literature review and presenting to a panel of professors.

All the opportunities I was given to explore my research interests further opened my eyes to the inadequate access to STEM education for so many children in my home country of Nigeria. This led me to develop a project to improve STEM education for elementary and secondary school-aged students in Nigeria. I was able to remotely assemble a team in Nigeria and raise funds to teach coding and buy robotics kits for students. Initially, this was meant to be a one-year project, but it went so successfully that my team and I are currently in the process of registering it as an NGO.

My UUֱ�� experience has allowed me to bridge my interest in STEM with my desire to give back – and I’m most grateful for that.

Modestus Nzubechi Amaechi

Home country: Nigeria

Studying: Chemical engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

My UUֱ�� journey has been filled with lots of learning experiences. When I came to UUֱ�� in my first year, it was quite hard for me to really understand people because it seemed that they spoke too fast and my classes were hard to find. The winter season was very difficult for me, and it was hard to navigate my way to class during the winter semester, but with help of the MCF office and the engineering faculty I was able to get through my first winter semester.

Another good learning experience for me was running for wellness director of the ChemClub in my second year. I was always reserved in my first year and I didn't engage in any activities as I was getting used to many things, but this role opened me up to many opportunities and connections with people in the chemical engineering department.

Providence Tatenda Mapingire

Home country: Zimbabwe

Studying: Finance and economics in the Faculty of Arts & Science

Over the course of my time at UUֱ�� as a student at Rotman, I’ve had many opportunities to learn about the world of economics and finance outside of the classroom. Firstly, I secured a position as a part-time junior analyst at FirePower Capital, a Toronto-based investment firm. I learned a great deal from the investment team, many of whom have been working in the finance sector for many years.

I was able to parlay that experience into an internship at Credit Suisse in New York on the global market team. Not only did this allow me to further my knowledge of finance and global market trends, but I also got to experience a different culture in New York. As someone who didn’t have much experience outside of my home country of Zimbabwe until I joined UUֱ�� in 2018, getting to live and work in New York opened my eyes to the different work cultures and social mores. I saw how these customs and behaviours overlapped or differed from my own. In addition, I’ve learned how to better understand and relate to people of different cultural backgrounds.

I’ve also had the opportunity to take all that I’ve learned as a student and employee and use it to provide more junior Rotman scholars with advice and mentorship as a career peer at the Rotman Commerce Program. This has shown me the importance of sharing the knowledge one gains with others to help them in their career and in life.