Chancellor / en 'A profound sense of responsibility': Wes Hall installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 35th chancellor /news/profound-sense-responsibility-wes-hall-installed-u-t-s-35th-chancellor <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'A profound sense of responsibility': Wes Hall installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 35th chancellor</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2835%29-crop.jpg?h=5a922bb2&amp;itok=qyfu2jBt 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2835%29-crop.jpg?h=5a922bb2&amp;itok=T4TmB5nA 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2835%29-crop.jpg?h=5a922bb2&amp;itok=laNb8rjp 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2835%29-crop.jpg?h=5a922bb2&amp;itok=qyfu2jBt" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-11-01T12:23:54-04:00" title="Friday, November 1, 2024 - 12:23" class="datetime">Fri, 11/01/2024 - 12:23</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Wes Hall, centre, is officially installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 35th chancellor in a ceremony attended by two of his predecessors in the role, Rose Patten, far left, and Vivienne Poy, not pictured, as well as Governing Council Chair Anna Kennedy, second from left, and ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President Meric Gertler, at right (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-2024" hreflang="en">Convocation 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trevor-young" hreflang="en">Trevor Young</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/wesley-hall" hreflang="en">Wesley Hall</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rose-patten" hreflang="en">Rose Patten</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">ā€œAs the 35th ā€“ and the first Black ā€“ chancellor in ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s almost 200-year history, I feel both pride and humility in donning these robesā€<br> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Heā€™s a giant of corporate Canada, a successful investor, respected philanthropist and popular TV personality, but&nbsp;<strong>Wes Hall&nbsp;</strong>describes serving as chancellor of the University of Toronto as ā€œthe privilege of my life.ā€</p> <p>Hall was officially installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 35th chancellor on Oct. 28 ahead of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJIf06__ejE&amp;t=1s">fall&nbsp;convocation ceremonies for students from the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>As organ music filled the air, Hall was escorted into Convocation Hall by ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President&nbsp;<strong>Meric Gertler</strong>&nbsp;and a bedel carrying ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s ceremonial mace.&nbsp;</p> <p>He expressed a ā€œprofound sense of responsibilityā€ in taking on the role.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%285%29-crop.jpg?itok=NUAELZ24" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Hall, wearing his honorary degree robes in advance of his official installation as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ chancellor, is escorted into Convocation Hall by ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President&nbsp;Meric Gertler&nbsp;and a bedel carrying ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s ceremonial mace (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>ā€œAs the 35th ā€“ and the first Black ā€“ chancellor in ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s almost 200-year history, I feel both pride and humility in donning these robes,ā€ Hall said. ā€œMy presence here is a testament to the progress weā€™ve made at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ and in society as a whole, but itā€™s also a reminder of the work yet ahead of us.ā€</p> <p>President Gertler described Hall as a ā€œlegendary figure on Bay Streetā€ and a ā€œdedicated philanthropist and community leader,ā€ and welcomed him and his family members ā€“ Hallā€™s wife, children, father and step-mother were in attendance ā€“ to the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2833%29-crop.jpg?itok=sHCZUj9K" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Friedemann Krannich, a PhD student in mathematics, assists Hall during the robing ceremony&nbsp;(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>ā€œThis is a very special morning for the University of Toronto, one that occurs only rarely in our academic cycle ā€“ we simultaneously welcome our 35th chancellor and award degrees to graduates,ā€ President Gertler said. ā€œMembers of this morningā€™s graduating class will therefore especially appreciate the importance of todayā€™s installation for each of them and for all of us at the University of Toronto.ā€</p> <p>After donning the chancellorā€™s robes, assisted by his predecessor,&nbsp;<strong>Rose Patten</strong>, Hall embarked on his first official act in the venerable venue: proclaiming, in Latin, the conferring of degrees to graduating students.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2823%29-crop.jpg?itok=G24WnO2K" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Hall said he felt both pride and humility in donning the chancellorā€™s robes (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Later in the day, Hall and ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ announced the creation of the&nbsp;<a href="http://engage.utoronto.ca/hall">Chancellor Wesley J. Hall Journey of Dreams Scholarship</a>. The scholarship will provide entrance awards to students starting at the university and, Hall said, advance ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s position as ā€œa beacon of excellence, progression, and limitless possibilities.ā€</p> <p>Hallā€™s track record as a business leader and philanthropist has exemplified progress, perseverance and a persistent social conscience.&nbsp;<a href="/news/where-change-happens-wes-hall-becoming-u-t-s-35th-chancellor">From humble beginnings in rural Jamaica</a>, he rose to become one of Canadaā€™s most influential business leaders as the founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kingsdaleadvisors.com/index" target="_blank">Kingsdale Advisors</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://weshall.ca/" target="_blank">WeShall Investments</a>; a highly recognizable TV personality as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/dragons/wes-hall">a ā€œdragonā€ investor on CBCā€™s&nbsp;<em>Dragonā€™s Den</em></a>; and an ardent philanthropist and anti-racism advocate as founder of the&nbsp;<a href="https://blacknorth.ca/" target="_blank">BlackNorth Initiative</a>&nbsp;non-profit.</p> <p>In 2021, he partnered with the&nbsp;Rotman&nbsp;School of Management to introduce the first Black entrepreneurship and leadership&nbsp;course&nbsp;in Canada, and he received&nbsp;<a href="/news/wesley-hall-corporate-leader-working-eliminate-systemic-barriers-receives-honorary-degree">an honorary doctorate from ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ in 2023</a>. The author of the memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/697265/no-bootstraps-when-youre-barefoot-by-wes-hall/9781039002371" target="_blank"><em>No Bootstraps When Youā€™re Barefoot</em></a>, Hall also serves on the board of directors of the SickKids Foundation.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2830%29-crop.jpg?itok=iuUnsTRR" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Hall poses for a photo with a graduate (photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Mondayā€™s installation included dignitaries from the university and beyond.&nbsp;<strong>Donette Chin-Loy Chang</strong>, chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University and board member at BlackNorth, said Hall ā€œhas broken barriers and subsequently worked to remove barriers for others who follow in his footsteps.ā€ She was followed by&nbsp;<strong>Corwin Cambray</strong>, president of the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Alumni Association, who said Hallā€™s life is a testament to his ā€œperseverance, visionary leadership and a profound commitmentā€ to the upliftment of others.</p> <p>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Vice-President and Provost&nbsp;<strong>Trevor Young</strong>, speaking on behalf of faculty, highlighted Hallā€™s tireless efforts to expand access to opportunity for people from under-represented communities. ā€œAs the chancellor, you will now bring your many talents to champion higher education ā€“ perhaps one of the greatest opportunities that exists,ā€ Young said.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes-Hall-%2813%29-crop.jpg?itok=gl-DHbPg" width="750" height="500" alt="Sydelle Mago speaks at a lecture in Convocation Hall as Wes Hall looks on" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>&nbsp;Sydelle Mago, an undergraduate student, speaks to graduating students and other attendees while Hall looks on&nbsp;(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Jodie Glean</strong>, ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s executive director, equity, diversity and inclusion, described Hall as ā€œa vocal championā€ of people from marginalized backgrounds who ā€œhas demonstrated the impact EDI can have both within post-secondary institutions and across our local and global communities.ā€</p> <p>For&nbsp;<strong>Sydelle Mago</strong>, an undergraduate student, Hallā€™s journey is a source of personal inspiration. ā€œChancellor Hall came to Canada from Jamaica and is a living testament to what hard work and perseverance can achieve,ā€ Mago said. ā€œHis story motivates students like me to pursue our ambitions.ā€</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-10/2024-10-28-Wes%20Hall%20%2810%29-crop.jpg?itok=YuBiUr3a" width="750" height="500" alt="Wes Hall leaves Convocation Hall wearing his chancellor's robes" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Hall makes his way out of Convocation Hall following his official installation as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 35th chancellor&nbsp;(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>At a reception to celebrate his installation at Hart House, Hall said he had been asked by some well-wishers if he was too busy to add the role of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ chancellor to an already long list of responsibilities. He responded by sharing the example set by his grandmother&nbsp;<strong>Julia Vassel</strong>, who raised him ā€“ along with nine other grandchildren and an adult daughter with special needs ā€“ in a tin shack on a plantation workerā€™s wage.</p> <p>ā€œOne of those kids that she worked so hard to raise is asked in the future to be the chancellor of the top university in Canada ā€“ and one of the top in the world ā€“ and that kid says, ā€˜Iā€™m too busy.ā€™ Could you imagine?ā€ Hall said.</p> <p>ā€œIā€™m never too busy to put my hand up and say, ā€˜I want to be a part of change.ā€™ā€</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:23:54 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 310186 at ā€˜This is where change happensā€™: Wes Hall on becoming ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 35th chancellor /news/where-change-happens-wes-hall-becoming-u-t-s-35th-chancellor <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">ā€˜This is where change happensā€™: Wes Hall on becoming ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 35th chancellor</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-10/UofT96247_0G5A0722-crop.jpg?h=062762c7&amp;itok=x-Gz1CqJ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-10/UofT96247_0G5A0722-crop.jpg?h=062762c7&amp;itok=ti__pcVF 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-10/UofT96247_0G5A0722-crop.jpg?h=062762c7&amp;itok=JTAiWjM_ 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-10/UofT96247_0G5A0722-crop.jpg?h=062762c7&amp;itok=x-Gz1CqJ" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-10-24T13:49:07-04:00" title="Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 13:49" class="datetime">Thu, 10/24/2024 - 13:49</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-2024" hreflang="en">Convocation 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/wesley-hall" hreflang="en">Wesley Hall</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>For much of his childhood,&nbsp;<strong>Wes Hall</strong>&nbsp;lived in a tin shack in rural Jamaica, where he and his siblings were raised by their grandmother.</p> <p>At 16, he moved to Toronto to live with his father. Two years later, he struck out on his own, working various menial jobs to get by ā€“ including as a dishwasher and as a poultry companyā€™s ā€œchicken catcher.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œFor me to get through all those circumstances in life, I had to fight to be able to succeed,ā€ Hall says.</p> <p>And succeed, he did. Hall is now one of Canadaā€™s most influential people ā€“&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kingsdaleadvisors.com/index">a&nbsp;major player on Bay Street</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/dragons/wes-hall">an investor and TV personality on CBCā€™s&nbsp;Dragonsā€™ Den</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://blacknorth.ca/">a philanthropist dedicated to tackling systemic racism in the business world&nbsp;and beyond</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>At an Oct. 28 convocation ceremony for graduates from the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, Hall will be officially installed as&nbsp;<a href="/news/wesley-j-hall-elected-serve-35th-chancellor-university-toronto">the 35th chancellor of the University of Toronto</a>. He will then proceed to confer more than 4,000 degrees to graduating students during 10 ceremonies in Convocation Hall throughout the week.</p> <p>Hall says heā€™s honoured to serve as an advocate and ambassador for an institution committed to empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers drawn from all sections of society.</p> <p>ā€œThe University of Toronto, in my opinion, is the biggest source of upward mobility in Canada,ā€ said Hall, who began his&nbsp;term as chancellor&nbsp;on July 1, succeeding&nbsp;<strong>Rose Patten</strong>.</p> <p>In particular, Hall cited the diversity of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's student body, with representation from 180 countries and territories, and the university's extensive student financial supports ā€“ which include <a href="https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/secretariat/policies/student-financial-support-policy-april-30-1998">a pledge that no student admitted to the university should be prevented from studying because of a lack of financial means</a> ā€“ as key elements that are setting the stage for a brighter future.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œThink about the impact that will have on our society moving forward,ā€ he says. ā€œThis is why I wanted to be a part of this university. This is where change happens.ā€</p> <p>For Hall, change didnā€™t come quickly or easily. After he moved out of his fatherā€™s home, he worked during the day and took courses in the evening to earn a law clerk certificate. He began his Bay Street journey as a mailroom clerk and law clerk, before eventually landing his first managerial role at CIBC Mellon, as a relationship manager.</p> <p>As a young Black man managing 11 employees, many of whom were much older and white, Hall said earning the respect of his team was far from straightforward, teaching him importance of leaving his ego at the door.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œI donā€™t necessarily want to be the smartest person in the room. I want to be the person who figures the room out and understands how people there operate,ā€ he says.</p> <p>Hall adds that figuring out what made his reports tick helped him turn his biggest detractors into powerful allies.</p> <p>Years later, Hall would confront doubters again when he came up with a business idea for a service that provides strategic advice to shareholders on corporate governance matters. He pitched it to his then-employers. ā€œThey thought it was nuts,ā€ he says.</p> <p>Undeterred, he approached banks for a loan so he could build the company on his own. ā€œAnd they go, ā€˜Thatā€™s so wacky, weā€™re not going to fund that.ā€™ā€</p> <p>Eventually, Hall convinced his wife to borrow $100,000, using their house as collateral. He used the funds to set up his firm,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kingsdaleadvisors.com/">Kingsdale Advisors</a>. That was in 2003. Today, Kingsdale is regarded one of Canadaā€™s top shareholder services and advisory firms, while Hall is one of the most respected power brokers in Canadian business.</p> <p>In recent years, his reputation has expanded beyond executive boardrooms into living rooms across the country as a sought-after investor on CBCā€™s&nbsp;Dragonā€™s Den, where he says heā€™s constantly inspired by the creativity and drive of Canadaā€™s entrepreneurs. ā€œMost people come up with ideas in their mind, but entrepreneurs actually act on them ā€“ even ideas that are far-fetched in a lot of cases ā€“ and make it happen in spite of naysayers telling them they canā€™t do it,ā€ Hall says.</p> <p>Hall says heā€™s passionate about using his platform to help uplift people from underrepresented backgrounds.&nbsp;</p> <p>In 2020, following the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, he set up the&nbsp;<a href="https://blacknorth.ca/">BlackNorth Initiative</a>, an NGO that provides scholarships for students, mentorship and networking for entrepreneurs, and a homeownership bridge program to help Black families own a home.</p> <p>ā€œHome ownership allowed me to start Kingsdale and create the value that I have today,ā€ Hall said. ā€œI want to create that same pride and opportunity for as many under-served families as possible.ā€</p> <p>Hall has also sought to contribute to the empowerment of entrepreneurs through&nbsp;<a href="https://weshall.ca/">WeShall Investments</a>, a private equity firm dedicated to supporting BIPOC-owned ventures.</p> <p>Hall is mindful of the fact that his success story ā€“ and those of other immigrants, people of colour and people from other underprivileged backgrounds ā€“ shouldnā€™t be used to downplay the scale of inequality in society.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œHow many others are out there who have been deprived from fulfilling their true potential?ā€ he asks.</p> <p>A staunch believer in ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s mission to empower people of all backgrounds to flourish, Hall said he urges students to adopt a positive, forward-looking attitude to overcome obstacles.</p> <p>He cited, as an example, Cree actor, artist and filmmaker&nbsp;<strong>Shirley Cheechoo</strong>, who said she preferred to be recognized as a ā€œwarriorā€ rather than a ā€œsurvivorā€ of Canadaā€™s horrific residential school system. She made the remark during <a href="/news/u-t-community-commemorates-orange-shirt-day-national-day-truth-and-reconciliation">a keynote address at a&nbsp;³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ event to&nbsp;mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation</a>, which Hall attended.</p> <p>ā€œI was successful in fighting, and itā€™s now my job to show people that in order for you to go through things successfully, you have to be a fighter,ā€ Hall says.</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s all about us changing our mindset and being more positive. If we do that, we can walk through life appreciating every day, celebrating every accomplishment and never taking it for granted.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:49:07 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 310038 at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Chancellor Rose Patten celebrated for her exceptional leadership /news/u-t-chancellor-rose-patten-celebrated-her-exceptional-leadership <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Chancellor Rose Patten celebrated for her exceptional leadership</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-05/DZ2_9049-Edit-crop-v2.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=Y1_kSdmZ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-05/DZ2_9049-Edit-crop-v2.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=des6xbka 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-05/DZ2_9049-Edit-crop-v2.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=YQMY5uO2 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-05/DZ2_9049-Edit-crop-v2.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=Y1_kSdmZ" alt="Rose Patten beams during her retirement ceremony"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>bresgead</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-31T15:23:23-04:00" title="Friday, May 31, 2024 - 15:23" class="datetime">Fri, 05/31/2024 - 15:23</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Chancellor Rose Patten and her husband Tom Di Giacomo attend a recent farewell reception at Hart House to celebrate her tenure as the universityā€™s 34th chancellor&nbsp;(photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/adina-bresge" hreflang="en">Adina Bresge</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rose-patten" hreflang="en">Rose Patten</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/governing-council" hreflang="en">Governing Council</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mentorship" hreflang="en">Mentorship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-meric-gertler" hreflang="en">President Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">ā€œRose and leadership go hand in hand. She wrote the book on the subject ā€“ literally"</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div> <p><strong>Rose Patten</strong>ā€™s name was a byword for leadership at a celebration marking the culmination of her distinguished tenure as the University of Torontoā€™s 34th chancellor, with one speaker after the next taking to the stage to express their gratitude for her transformative influence on the university and its community of future leaders.</p> <p>After more than 25 years of service to the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community, Patten is set to complete her second term as chancellor (the maximum length permitted)&nbsp;on June 30, leaving a legacy characterized by visionary leadership and her commitment to championing those who would follow her.</p> <p>At a farewell reception at Hart House, President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> praised Pattenā€™s unparalleled ability to bring out the leader in each and every member of the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community.</p> <p>ā€œRose and leadership go hand in hand. She wrote the book on the subject ā€“ literally,ā€ said President Gertler, referring to Pattenā€™s <em>vade mecum</em>, <a href="/news/intentional-leadership-chancellor-rose-patten-s-new-book-helps-leaders-navigate-today-s"><em>Intentional Leadership</em></a>. ā€œLeadership has been the central theme of her time as chancellor. It is the hallmark of her life and career, in business and in volunteer service.ā€</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/DZ6_8087-v2.jpg?itok=COB_2iAH" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President Meric Gertler said leadership has been a hallmark of Chancellor Rose Pattenā€™s career (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div>A major figure in Canadaā€™s financial services sector, Pattenā€™s long history with ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ has been defined by her prolific engagement in, and enhancement of, almost every aspect of university life, President Gertler said.</div> <div> <p>Her involvement began as a member of Governing Council, where she served for the full extent of her nine allowable years, culminating in three yearsā€™ service as chair.</p> <p>From 2007 to 2010, Patten chaired the task force whose recommendations led to ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s current tri-campus governing structure.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/DZ6_7855-crop.jpg?itok=MMAp6CMF" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Toronto-based portrait artist Brenda Bury, left, and Nobel Prize-winning ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ University Professor Emeritus John Polanyi, middle, &nbsp;pose for a photo with Chancellor Rose Patten (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>First elected as chancellor in 2018, Patten will have presided over 133 convocation ceremonies by the end of her six years in the position.</p> <p>In addition to her ceremonial duties, Patten has been a constant presence on campus as chancellor, attending scores of university events each year.</p> <p>Beyond her administrative roles, she has imparted her insights on leadership with the next generation as an adjunct professor at the Rotman School of Management, where she serves as co-director of the Executive Leadership Program.</p> <p>Myriad senior leaders at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ have drawn on Pattenā€™s expertise, President Gertler said ā€“ including himself.</p> </div> <div> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/DZ6_8257-crop.jpg?itok=436OdYg1" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Chancellor Rose Patten shakes hands with Governing Council Chair Anna Kennedy as former Interim President Frank Iacobucci and Trinity College Provost and Vice-Chancellor Mayo Moran look on (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div><strong>Anna Kennedy</strong>, chair of Governing Council, also counted herself among the beneficiaries of Pattenā€™s knowledge and counsel.</div> <div> <p>ā€œRose has led with grace, wisdom and incredible generosity, providing insights and guidance to everyone she interacts with,ā€ Kennedy said. ā€œWeā€™re very thankful and grateful to have had the opportunity to be able to work alongside and learn from such an accomplished leader.ā€</p> <p>A former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, <strong>Frank Iacobucci</strong> said his 10-month tenure as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s interim president was as memorable as any other part of his career largely because of Pattenā€™s remarkable leadership.</p> <p>From breaking the glass ceiling in business to steering ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ through uncertain times, Patten has converted challenges into opportunities throughout her distinguished career, Iacobucci said, but&nbsp;what sets Patten apart as a leader is her profound understanding that every organization is at its heart a human enterprise.</p> <p>ā€œA special talent Rose possesses is a respect for and fondness of people,ā€ said Iacobucci. ā€œHumanity is a companion for all that she says and does.ā€</p> <p><strong>Mayo Moran</strong>, provost and vice-chancellor of Trinity College, echoed this sentiment as she thanked Patten on behalf of the countless ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community members who have benefited from her human-centred approach to leadership.</p> <p>This is exemplified by Pattenā€™s steadfast commitment to mentorship, particularly for women leaders, that has not only made her a role model, but also the namesake of the <a href="https://ulearn.utoronto.ca/mentoring-program/">Rose Patten Mentorship Program</a>, said Moran.</p> <p>ā€œThe University of Toronto is so much better for having had you at helm,ā€ she said. ā€œI also feel heartened ā€¦ by the fact that youā€™ll continue, through your writing and your teaching, to shape generations who are going to go on and really exemplify the human side of leadership.ā€</p> </div> <div> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/DZ6_7906-crop.jpg?itok=xccEeTPg" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young, left, poses for a picture with Chancellor Rose Patten (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></figcaption> </figure> </div> <div>Following a video tribute, President Gertler announced that Patten recently made a new gift to the university, which, among other things, will enable the renewal of Convocation Hallā€™s grand, circular entrance hallway. That key space will now be called the Rose Patten Rotunda.</div> <div> <p>Additionally, a new scholarship at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine has been named the Rose M. Patten Graduate Student Scholarship.</p> <p>Both Patten and&nbsp;her husband,&nbsp;Tom Di Giacomo&nbsp;are long-time donors to the university, President Gertler said, supporting a range of initiatives to bolster student financial aid and academic programs. As a result of Pattenā€™s most recent gift, she and Di Giacomo are now members of the Chancellorsā€™ Circle of Benefactors, the community of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s most generous philanthropic supporters.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-05/DZ2_9067-Edit-crop-v2.jpg?itok=GMcPKDd5" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Chancellor Rose Patten and her husband Tom Di Giacomo&nbsp;are among ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s most generous donors (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In her remarks, Patten said she was touched by the tributes and turnout to the reception, reflecting on how her relationship with ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ has deepened over the past quarter-century.</p> <p>ā€œI often speak about mentoring and volunteering, and I always say that we receive more than we give, or at least as much,ā€ Patten said. ā€œAt ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ, it was especially true for me. And let me say, it was more.ā€</p> <p>She highlighted her role in conferring degrees as a special privilege of her office, expressing what a joy itā€™s been to celebrate the milestone with graduating students and their families.</p> <p>Patten said every commitment sheā€™s made to ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ has enriched her, noting that everyone has a role to play in leading the university toward a brighter future.</p> <p>ā€œIn this institution, thereā€™s always more to know, more to learn, more to appreciate, more to think about,ā€ she said. ā€œIt can make life not just a journey, but an adventure. I canā€™t imagine mine without my relationship with everyone here.ā€</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 31 May 2024 19:23:23 +0000 bresgead 307907 at Rose Patten re-elected to serve as chancellor of the University of Toronto /news/rose-patten-re-elected-serve-chancellor-university-toronto <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Rose Patten re-elected to serve as chancellor of the University of Toronto</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15855_085A5944-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=c9l6vo6W 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT15855_085A5944-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ZuevNkhe 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT15855_085A5944-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=fxkNKXUQ 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15855_085A5944-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=c9l6vo6W" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2021-03-05T12:59:17-05:00" title="Friday, March 5, 2021 - 12:59" class="datetime">Fri, 03/05/2021 - 12:59</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/yanan-wang" hreflang="en">Yanan Wang</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rose-patten" hreflang="en">Rose Patten</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Rose Patten</strong>, <a href="/news/u-t-s-new-chancellor-life-bay-street-executive-and-university-leader-and-dramatic-turning-point">the trailblazing business executive</a>, philanthropist and volunteer leader, has been re-elected for a second three-year term as the chancellor of the University of Toronto, the maximum length of service in the position.</p> <p>ā€œIā€™m so deeply honoured, just filled with joy and inspiration to be able to do this now for a second term,ā€ Patten says.</p> <p>ā€œIt is a great privilege to be part of the exemplary journey that ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ has been on.ā€</p> <p>Patten became the universityā€™s 34<sup>th</sup> chancellor in 2018. She is a longtime senior executive at BMO Financial group and a former chair of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s Governing Council, on which she served for nine years. Patten is a member of the Order of Canada and holds an honorary degree from ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ, in addition to many other accolades.</p> <p>In a memo announcing Pattenā€™s re-election, ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President <strong>Meric Gertler </strong>lauded her longstanding service and commitment to the university.</p> <p>ā€œDr. Pattenā€™s service as Chancellor has been distinguished by her extraordinary loyalty and dedication,ā€ President Gertler wrote.</p> <p>As the ceremonial head of the university, the chancellor presides at convocation ceremonies and acts as ambassador to ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s alumni and the wider community. The chancellor is also a key advocate for the university on the local, provincial, national and international levels.</p> <p>Patten has maintained a heavy schedule of events and meetings with students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors.</p> <p>She says the universityā€™s response to the pandemic has only strengthened her resolve to contribute to its mission. &nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œI marvelled at the adaptability [and] the remarkable resilience that was mustered everywhere ā€“ not to mention the courage,ā€ Patten says. ā€œWhat I saw made the atmosphere at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ even more motivating.ā€</p> <p>Patten also continues to champion mentorship and leadership ā€“ two core tenets of her career in business and community volunteering. More than two decades ago, the university re-named <a href="https://ulearn.utoronto.ca/mentoring/">its staff mentorship program in her honour</a>.</p> <p>Patten says she will focus on connecting with students and supporting inclusive excellence in her second term. She looks forward to the day when more members of the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community can safely return to campus and she can resume spontaneous, one-on-one conversations.</p> <p>ā€œAs chancellor, Iā€™ve seen in a new way how crucial our shared values are, in making ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ a global leader,ā€ she says.</p> <p>ā€œOur commitment to inclusive excellence, and our efforts to keep building a caring community ā€“ these are so important to our success, individually and collectively. And theyā€™re what makes our membership in the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community so inspiring.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:59:17 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 168635 at 'A role model to us all': Remembering Michael Wilson /news/role-model-us-all-remembering-michael-wilson <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'A role model to us all': Remembering Michael Wilson</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15064_4-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5ayNcqp4 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT15064_4-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=yUmzXVqr 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT15064_4-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ZCyuT_60 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT15064_4-lead_0.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5ayNcqp4" alt="Chancellor Michael Wilson and Meric Gertler"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>noreen.rasbach</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-02-11T16:08:34-05:00" title="Monday, February 11, 2019 - 16:08" class="datetime">Mon, 02/11/2019 - 16:08</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Michael Wilson and ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President Meric Gertler at Wilson's last convocation as chancellor in June (photo by Steve Frost)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/chris-sorensen" hreflang="en">Chris Sorensen</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/michael-wilson" hreflang="en">Michael Wilson</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/commerce" hreflang="en">Commerce</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-medicine" hreflang="en">Faculty of Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mental-health" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/psychiatry" hreflang="en">Psychiatry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Former prime minister Brian Mulroney credits the late Michael Wilson&nbsp;ā€“ his former finance minister&nbsp;and the University of Torontoā€™s Chancellor Emeritus ā€“ for nothing less than laying the foundations of ā€œa new Canada that we enjoy today.ā€</p> <p>Mulroney says&nbsp;Wilsonā€™s efforts as finance minister in the 1980s had a ā€œtransformativeā€ impact and set the country up for decades of future success.</p> <p>That includes everything from helping to negotiate the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and, later, the North American Free Trade Agreement, to deregulating Crown Corporations like Air Canada and Petro-Canada.</p> <p>Often the policies Wilson pursued werenā€™t politically popular ā€“ including the creation of the GST, which replaced a costly hidden manufacturersā€™ sales tax that made Canadian exports uncompetitive.</p> <p>ā€œHe and I agreed on pretty well everything,ā€ Mulroney told <em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ</em> in the wake of Wilsonā€™s death on Sunday at age 81.</p> <p>ā€œBut we agreed fundamentally on the following statement: Weā€™re not going to act for easy headlines in 10 days. Weā€™re going to act for a better Canada in 10 years.ā€</p> <p>It was a principled, long-term outlook that seemed to guide Wilson in everything he did ā€“ both in and out of politics. An alumnus of Trinity College, Wilson was first elected as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 33<sup>rd</sup> chancellor in 2012 and served a full two terms. In the role, he not only helped chart a course for the universityā€™s international ambition, but acted as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s ambassador to more than half a million alumni around the world and presided over scores of convocation ceremonies.&nbsp;</p> <p>It was the part of the job he loved most,ā€ ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> said during an interview on CBC today. &nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œWe would see him just light up at convocation. He would relish that opportunity to have that private conversation with each graduate who came up to the stage.ā€</p> <h3><a href="http://www.chancellor.utoronto.ca/speeches/closing-remarks-to-convocation">Read Michael Wilson's closing remarks to students at convocation ceremonies</a></h3> <p>Wilson also made an indelible impact in the realm of mental health, particularly after his son, Cameron, took his own life in 1995 at the age of 29.</p> <p>At the time, it was rare for people of Wilsonā€™s generation to speak openly about mental health and grief. But Wilson felt the need to do everything in his power to help.</p> <p>ā€œOne of the things that was said to me is that, if Iā€™m willing to tell my story, I will get a lot more exposure than someone who hasnā€™t spent 14 years in federal politics,ā€ he told the <em>Globe and Mail</em> in 1999.</p> <p>ā€œIf it will help make a difference, then I am willing to do this.ā€</p> <p>Wilson first arrived at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ in 1955 to study at Trinity College, earning a degree in commerce.&nbsp;Soon after, Wilson landed a job in Ottawa working in the finance department and then worked his way up the ladder on Bay Street.&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="/news/university-toronto-mourns-death-chancellor-emeritus-michael-wilson">University of Toronto mourns death of Michael Wilson</a></h3> <h3><a href="/news/heartfelt-tributes-michael-wilson-recount-his-compassion-leadership-and-advocacy">Heartfelt tributes to Michael Wilson recount his compassion, leadership and advocacy</a></h3> <p>Mulroney says he first crossed paths with Wilson in the 1970s.</p> <p>ā€œWe were just about the same age,ā€ Mulroney recalls. ā€œI was starting the practice of law in Montreal and he was starting at Dominion Securities in Toronto.ā€</p> <p>While the two may have started off as acquaintances, it wouldnā€™t be long before their lives would become intertwined on the national stage. After being elected to Parliament in 1979, Wilson ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1983, challenging Mulroney and a half dozen other contenders.</p> <p>Wilson ultimately stepped aside and threw his support behind Mulroney and was rewarded with his senior cabinet post as finance minister. He would also serve as a minister for international trade and a minister of industry, science and technology.</p> <p>ā€œI was extremely grateful to him, obviously, but he then went on to play an extremely indispensable role in the government of Canada,ā€ Mulroney says.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10166 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/GettyImages-165226514-crop.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Michael Wilson addresses reporters&nbsp;at Toronto's Gerstein Crisis Centre in 2004. Wilson supported short-term safe houses for people with mental health issues and&nbsp;was behind the Edmond Yu Project, named after Yu, a&nbsp;mentally ill person who was shot by police in 1997 for wielding a&nbsp; hammer at police in a TTC streetcar (photo by Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)</em></p> <p><strong>Joe Martin</strong>, an adjunct professor at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s Rotman School of Management, cites the creation of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, or OSFI ā€“ Canadaā€™s banking regulator ā€“ under Wilsonā€™s watch as a yet another signature achievement.</p> <p>During the 2008 financial crisis, when the worldā€™s financial institutions were imploding, ā€œthe thing that saved the Canadian markets was the fact that we had OSFI in place,ā€ Martin says.</p> <p>Wilson had a front row seat during this period, too, having been tapped by Stephen Harperā€™s government to serve as Canadaā€™s ambassador to the United States, a position he held for more than three years.</p> <p>On a personal level, those who knew Wilson well describe him as a person of principles and integrity, and someone who placed a high value on education.</p> <p>ā€œMichael fundamentally believed in the value of education and learning,ā€ President Gertler told CBC. ā€œHe used to say at our convocation ceremonies that students should use their learning throughout the rest of their lives to make the world a better place ā€“ and to leave every situation they came into contact with in better shape than it was when they found it.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œFor him, learning was at the core of his very being.ā€</p> <p>Similarly, <strong>Tiff Macklem</strong>, the dean of the Rotman School of Management, called Wilson ā€œa role model for us all to aspire to in business, in politics, and in building better communities for everyone.ā€</p> <p>For those working in the field of mental health, meanwhile, Wilsonā€™s legacy is described as nothing short of game-changing.</p> <p>Until he came along, it was difficult to get people in the corridors of power to pay attention, says Dr. <strong>Paul Garfinkel</strong>, a professor and former chair of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s psychiatry department.</p> <p>In his role as CEO of the Clarke Institute, one of the facilities that merged into the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Garfinkel says he struggled to find donors and people to join the hospitalā€™s board.</p> <p>ā€œYou canā€™t imagine how lonely it was. We could have board meetings in a phone booth,ā€ Garfinkel says.</p> <p>Wilson opened the door to glass tower boardrooms in Toronto and Montreal as well as government offices in Ottawa.&nbsp; When he spoke, people around the table listened, Garfinkel says ā€“ in part because most already knew him.</p> <p>Wilson would speak movingly of his sonā€™s death and go on to describe current research. ā€œHe had an amazing mind,ā€ Garfinkel recalls. ā€œYou could brief him on the way into the meeting and he could go bang, bang, bang with every fact accurately.ā€</p> <p>Wilson led multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns, served on provincial task forces on mental health and, in 2015, became board chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.</p> <p>ā€œHe was a real mentor and I learned so much from him,ā€ says Louise Bradley, the president and CEO of the commission.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/11/21/men-asking-for-help-takes-a-special-brand-of-strength.html">Read Michael Wilson's poignant last op-ed for the<em> Toronto Star</em></a></h3> <p>Under his tenure, the board was restructured to include more people with backgrounds in finance, law and a lived experience of mental illness. He also helped increase the representation of Indigenous people, Bradley says.</p> <p>ā€œHe wasnā€™t a figurehead by any stretch of the imagination.ā€&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>At ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ, Wilson was instrumental in finding support for a chair in depression studies named in memory of his son. Dr. <strong>Robert Levitan</strong>, a professor of psychiatry and physiology in the Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist at CAMH, currently holds the chair. Heā€™s an expert on atypical subtypes of mood disorders characterized by depressed mood and eating behaviour.</p> <p>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ psychiatry Professor <strong>David Goldboom</strong> preceded Wilson as chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. ā€œThe thing about Michael is he had such an aura of gravitas,ā€ Goldbloom said. ā€œHere was a guy who was accomplished in so many spheres of public lifeā€¦ The fact that he made this his cause of choice carried weight.ā€</p> <p>Wilson could be blunt and didnā€™t sugar coat the need for change, Goldbloom says. ā€œI think Michael definitely thought we were making progress.</p> <p>ā€œBut he was enough of a realist to know there was a long journey ahead.ā€</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 11 Feb 2019 21:08:34 +0000 noreen.rasbach 153216 at Heartfelt tributes to Michael Wilson recount his compassion, leadership and advocacy /news/heartfelt-tributes-michael-wilson-recount-his-compassion-leadership-and-advocacy <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Heartfelt tributes to Michael Wilson recount his compassion, leadership and advocacy </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT11245_20121102_MichaelWilson_0049-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=s82C7mtT 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT11245_20121102_MichaelWilson_0049-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=hSLLW0V6 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT11245_20121102_MichaelWilson_0049-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iGoMi32a 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT11245_20121102_MichaelWilson_0049-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=s82C7mtT" alt="Chancellor Michael Wilson"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-02-11T12:34:42-05:00" title="Monday, February 11, 2019 - 12:34" class="datetime">Mon, 02/11/2019 - 12:34</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"> Michael Wilson was first elected chancellor of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ for a three-year term in 2012 and renewed for a second term of three years in 2015 ā€“ the maximum allowed by the University of Toronto Act (photo by Tim Fraser)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/michael-wilson" hreflang="en">Michael Wilson</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-medicine" hreflang="en">Faculty of Medicine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mental-health" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">Michael Wilsonā€™s leadership in business and politics, advocacy for mental health awareness and compassion as a colleague and friend are being remembered today by everyone from prime ministers to members of the University of Toronto community. </span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">Here are some of the messages and memories shared online:</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10155 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/31516485625_45968d1c40_o-crop_0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Justin Trudeau meets with Michael Wilson in the Prime Ministerā€™s Centre Block office in 2016 (photo by Adam Scotti)</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œMichael Wilsonā€™s dedicated service to Canadians ā€“ including his important work as Minister, Ambassador, and passionate advocate for mental health ā€“&nbsp;will leave a lasting impact on our country. Weā€™ve lost a truly great Canadian. My condolences to his family and friends.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1094784713145896960">Prime Minister Justin Trudeau </a></span></p> <h4 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">Former prime ministers share their condolences</span></h4> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œThis is a sad day. Michael Wilson served Canada with exceptional skill and dedication. From the Cabinet table to serving our country with dignity and wisdom as Ambassador in Washington, Mike embodied the best of public service. Laureen and I extend our heartfelt condolences.ā€<br> - <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenharper/status/1094783426861912070">Stephen Harper</a></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10163 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/GettyImages-853612936-crop_0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Michael Wilson with Brian Mulroney, the&nbsp;former prime minister, in 2017&nbsp;(photo by Vince Talotta/Toronto Star via Getty Images)</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œI think Canada has just suffered a major loss. Michael Wilson was an outstanding minister of finance, a highly admired ambassador to the United States, and a principled and visionary leader in the field of research into mental health in Canada ā€“ and also in education, with his role as chancellor of the University of Toronto.ā€</span><br> - Brian Mulroney to <em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ</em></p> <h3 dir="ltr"><a href="/news/university-toronto-mourns-death-chancellor-emeritus-michael-wilson">Read: ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community mourns death of Chancellor Emeritus Michael Wilson</a></h3> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œMichael Wilson was one of Canadaā€™s most able, upright, accomplished, highly principled and inspirational citizens, in public life and private example. I mourn and regret his death and celebrate his friendship and his life.ā€ </span><span><br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RtHonJoeClark/status/1094939375719383041">Joe Clark </a></span></p> <p><span>On <em>CBC News</em>, Paul Martin said&nbsp;that Wilson was a ā€œtremendous finance minister," and that "he took mental health out of the shadows and he took it into the mainstream and he did it with huge compassion.ā€</span></p> <h4 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">Wilsonā€™s mental health advocacy remembered</span></h4> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œMichael Wilson talked about his sonā€™s suicide at a time when very few, especially at his stature, talked about suicide. He became a powerful advocate for ending stigma around mental illness. A great legacy.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/mattgallowaycbc/status/1094774791620292608">Matt Galloway, host of&nbsp;CBC's <em>Metro Morning</em></a><em> </em></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œVery saddened by the passing of @UofT Chancellor Emeritus Michael Wilson ā€“ a remarkable person and a champion for mental health. He leaves behind an incredible legacy at #UofT &amp; beyond.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/UofTMedDean/status/1094966311292227586">Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, <strong>Trevor Young</strong></a><strong> </strong></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œA Canada without Michael Wilson is a smaller place.</span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Citizen?src=hash"> #Citizen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leader?src=hash"> #Leader</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Advocate?src=hash"> #Advocate</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MentalHealthIsHealth?src=hash">#MentalHealthIsHealth</a>ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/CatherineZahn/status/1094767766026907648">Catherine Zahn, CEO of CAMH</a></p> <h4 dir="ltr">'A truly nice person in a world that often wasnā€™t'</h4> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€‹ā€œMichael Wilson was one of the most intelligent, decent people I have ever met, inside or outside of politics and public lifeā€¦ if it's possible he may have contributed even more in his life after politics when he became a pioneer in raising awareness of mental illness and for his incredible contributions to post secondary education through the University of Toronto. Michael Wilson was a gentle,&nbsp; considerate giant in business, in public life, as a diplomat in Washington, &amp; in our community. He will be sadly missed &amp; on behalf of the people of the City of Toronto, I express sincere condolences to his wife Margie &amp; the entire Wilson family.ā€&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/JohnTory/status/1094755431119896577">Toronto Mayor <strong>John Tory </strong></a></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œWe have lost an outstanding Canadian today with the passing of Michael Wilson. Former Minister, Ambassador to the [U.S.], Companion of the Order of Canada, and tireless mental health advocate, Mr Wilson will be missed by many. Sincere condolences to his family, friends &amp; colleagues.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GGJuliePayette/status/1094783331768717318"><strong>Julie Payette</strong>, Canadaā€™s governor general </a></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10153 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/chrystia-freeland_michael-wilson-crop.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland with ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Chancellor Michael Wilson in April (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œMy thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Michael Wilson. Michael was a distinguished MP, Minister and diplomat, who negotiated the first NAFTA. More recently, he did outstanding work as a tireless mental health advocate and Chancellor of</span><a href="https://twitter.com/UofT"> @UofT</a>.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/cafreeland/status/1094791567360122880">Chrystia Freeland, Canadaā€™s minister of foreign affairs </a></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œMichael Wilson was not only an incredibly dedicated politician, he was also an exemplary and tireless advocate for mental health. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. "We need to shore up the belief that sickness isn't weakness."<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/cathmckenna/status/1094975752372658178"><strong>Catherine McKenna</strong>, Canadaā€™s minister of environment and climate change</a></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œSad to learn that the ranks of U.S.-Canada ambassadors lost a beloved member yesterday. Michael Wilson was a tireless champion for Canada and will be remembered as one who strove to bring our two countries ever closer together. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbCanada/status/1094966242966876161">U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft</a> </span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104">ā€œMichael Wilson will be remembered for his countless contributions to Canada. An incredibly capable Minister and former Ambassador, he will also be remembered for his groundbreaking work bringing mental health out of the shadows. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/fordnation/status/1094777417426657280">Ontario Premier Doug Ford </a></span></p> <p dir="ltr">ā€œI covered Michael Wilsonā€™s first nomination meeting back in the late 1970s. &nbsp;The attention was on him because he was Joe Clarkā€™s ā€˜star candidateā€™ for the next election. He was nervous but you could tell he was special. A truly nice person in a world that often wasnā€™t.ā€<br> -&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/petermansbridge/status/1094784494064685058">Peter Mansbridge</a>&nbsp;</p> <div><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a871cf6-7fff-528a-8256-e33f885ae104"></span></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 11 Feb 2019 17:34:42 +0000 Romi Levine 153203 at University of Toronto mourns death of Chancellor Emeritus Michael Wilson /news/university-toronto-mourns-death-chancellor-emeritus-michael-wilson <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">University of Toronto mourns death of Chancellor Emeritus Michael Wilson</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2019-02-10-wilson-resized.jpg?h=58088d8b&amp;itok=pJ2JTryX 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2019-02-10-wilson-resized.jpg?h=58088d8b&amp;itok=t4Xr2uAW 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2019-02-10-wilson-resized.jpg?h=58088d8b&amp;itok=AilBmDMB 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2019-02-10-wilson-resized.jpg?h=58088d8b&amp;itok=pJ2JTryX" alt="Photo of Michael Wilson"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>noreen.rasbach</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-02-10T18:46:11-05:00" title="Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 18:46" class="datetime">Sun, 02/10/2019 - 18:46</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Michael Wilson, in June at his final convocation as Chancellor. His message to graduates that day: "Give back" (photo by Steve Frost)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/commerce" hreflang="en">Commerce</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trinity-college" hreflang="en">Trinity College</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Michael Wilson</strong>, the University of Torontoā€™s 33<sup>rd</sup> chancellor who had an accomplished career in the private and public sector ā€“ serving as Canadaā€™s minister of finance and ambassador to the United States ā€“ has died. He was 81 years old.</p> <p>ā€œThe University of Toronto community deeply mourns the loss of our Chancellor Emeritus, the Honourable Michael Wilson,ā€ said ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>. ā€œA proud and accomplished Commerce alumnus and a Trinity grad, he was our tireless advocate and our global ambassador.</p> <p>ā€œA ā€˜triathleteā€™ <em>par excellence</em> ā€“ in public office, business, and volunteer work&nbsp;ā€“ he was a great Canadian who improved the lives of so many. From spearheading public policy of the highest significance to publicly confronting the challenge of mental illness, Michael Wilson was a true champion.ā€</p> <p>Wilson was first elected chancellor for a three-year-term in 2012 and renewed for a second term of three years in 2015 ā€“ the maximum allowed by the University of Toronto Act. &nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œDuring his six years of incredibly dedicated and energetic service as our ceremonial head, he helped launch tens of thousands of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ graduates into the next stage of their lives ā€“ leaving each one with a warm personal word of congratulations and encouragement,ā€ President Gertler said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Wilson was a Trinity College alumnus, graduating in 1959 with a degree in commerce and beginning a career in finance. He was elected to Parliament in the late 1970s, and served seven years as finance minister, beginning in 1984. He was named Canadaā€™s ambassador to the U.S. in 2006.</p> <h3><a href="/news/heartfelt-tributes-michael-wilson-recount-his-compassion-leadership-and-advocacy" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 122, 183); text-decoration-line: none; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; font-size: 18px; margin-top: 4%; font-weight: 600;">Heartfelt tributes to Michael Wilson recount his compassion, leadership and advocacy</a></h3> <p>Beyond politics and Bay Street, Wilson was a profoundly dedicated advocate for mental health, becoming chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada in 2015. His advocacy was intensified in&nbsp;response to tragedy when his son, Cameron, took his own life after suffering from depression.</p> <p>Wilson was a champion of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ, working tirelessly to promote the university in Canada and the rest of the world.</p> <p>ā€œIt is one of the great privileges of my life to have worked closely with Michael Wilson in the advancement of the University and the causes he cared about so deeply,ā€ President Gertler said. ā€œIn his comprehensive excellence, his unassuming generosity and his quiet compassion, he will remain a model for us all. He bore the title, ā€œthe Honourable,ā€ by virtue of the public offices he held. But the description came spontaneously to all who had the good fortune to know him.ā€</p> <p>The University of Toronto flag will&nbsp;fly at half-mast on all three campuses until the day of Wilson's funeral. Members of the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community can sign a Book of Condolences in the Simcoe Hall lobby this week, starting at 1&nbsp;p.m. Monday.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.president.utoronto.ca/statement-on-the-death-of-the-honourable-michael-wilson">Read President Gertler's full statement about Michael Wilson</a></h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Sun, 10 Feb 2019 23:46:11 +0000 noreen.rasbach 153113 at 'It's pretty inspirational': Watch Rose Patten be installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 34th chancellor /news/it-s-pretty-inspirational-watch-rose-patten-be-installed-u-t-s-34th-chancellor <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'It's pretty inspirational': Watch Rose Patten be installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 34th chancellor</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-11-08_RosePatten-Naylor%28web-lead%29.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=VqWfQ3w8 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2018-11-08_RosePatten-Naylor%28web-lead%29.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=qvTwfFE8 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2018-11-08_RosePatten-Naylor%28web-lead%29.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=U1QV0itA 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2018-11-08_RosePatten-Naylor%28web-lead%29.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=VqWfQ3w8" alt="Photo of Rose Patten and David Naylor"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2018-11-08T12:13:33-05:00" title="Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 12:13" class="datetime">Thu, 11/08/2018 - 12:13</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rose-patten" hreflang="en">Rose Patten</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-2018" hreflang="en">Convocation 2018</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation" hreflang="en">Convocation</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Rose Patten</strong> was officially installed as the University of Torontoā€™s 34<sup>th</sup> chancellor during this weekā€™s fall convocation.</p> <p>An influential businesswoman and a former chair of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s Governing Council, Patten plans to use her new role to further the universityā€™s mission as one of the worldā€™s top research and academic institutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œI get the opportunity to be an advocate for all the university does,ā€ says Patten, who is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been lauded for her efforts to champion women in leadership roles.</p> <p>ā€œIt's pretty inspirational&nbsp;ā€“ pretty exciting.ā€</p> <p>Watch as Patten prepares for her big day and talks about the importance of learning, dealing with setbacks and the obligation and responsibility that come with success.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/894uUX5ewcA" width="750"></iframe></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 08 Nov 2018 17:13:33 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 146678 at 'Diligence, focus and passion': Rose Patten is installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 34th chancellor /news/diligence-focus-and-passion-rose-patten-installed-u-t-s-34th-chancellor <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'Diligence, focus and passion': Rose Patten is installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 34th chancellor</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/rose-patten.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-qDOPrDX 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/rose-patten.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=KpibCaQ2 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/rose-patten.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=6MDZXsL5 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/rose-patten.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-qDOPrDX" alt="rose patten"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2018-11-06T10:24:49-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 6, 2018 - 10:24" class="datetime">Tue, 11/06/2018 - 10:24</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Rose Patten enters Convocation Hall with ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President Gertler in advance of the robing ceremony. Her husband Tom Di Giacomo is second from the left (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/chris-sorensen" hreflang="en">Chris Sorensen</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-2018" hreflang="en">Convocation 2018</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cheryl-regehr" hreflang="en">Cheryl Regehr</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation" hreflang="en">Convocation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It was shortly after 11 a.m. when <strong>Rose Patten</strong> clasped ā€“ with both hands ā€“ the outstretched palm of the first graduate to cross the stage at the University of Torontoā€™s 2018 fall convocation.</p> <p>Patten, who was installed as ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s 34<sup>th</sup> chancellor only a few minutes earlier, would go on to repeat the ritual during the ceremony at Convocation Hall ā€“ the first of two scheduled for Monday.&nbsp;</p> <p>Each time the gesture was accompanied with a warm smile and a few words of encouragement.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œYou have the potential to be among the most impressive leaders of your time,ā€ Patten said during an address to the hall, which was also packed with family and friends, ā€œand you are pursuing your dreams at a time when leadership has never been more important.</p> <p>ā€œWhen great leadership is present we always see critical thinking and technological innovation.ā€</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__9552 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/2018-11-06-Rose-Patten-student-%28web-embed%29.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Rose Patten shakes hands with a graduate in ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's Convocation Hall (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p>Leadership, of course, is a quality with which Patten is intimately familiar. Sheā€™s spent three decades working in the highest echelons of Bay Street and, at one point, simultaneously held the positions of vice-president of business strategy and executive vice-president of global human resources at BMO Financial Group.&nbsp;</p> <p>To this day, she continues to be a special adviser to the bankā€™s CEO and other senior executives, and is sought out for expertise on issues such as leadership development, strategy execution and succession planning.&nbsp;</p> <p>Patten also has a long history at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ, having served on Governing Council for nine years ā€“ including three years as chair. She chaired the task force on governance structure, whose 2010 report included recommendations on the universityā€™s current tri-campus governance structure. Patten, who holds an honorary degree from ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ, is also an executive-in-residence and adjunct professor in executive leadership programs at the Rotman School of Management, a member of Massey College and a member of the universityā€™s Boundless campaign executive.</p> <p>ā€œShe knows us better than we know ourselves,ā€ ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> joked before he introduced Patten to a crowd of over 200 people during a luncheon event at Rotman to celebrate Pattenā€™s investiture.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œBut she also applies to her new role all of her characteristic diligence, focus and passion in the advancement of our shared mission.ā€</p> <p>For Patten, that mission includes being a source of transformative innovation in fields ranging from computer science to medicine, while simultaneously acting as a defender of the human values on which true, sustainable progress depends.</p> <p>ā€œWe are exploring not just the ā€˜whatā€™ and the ā€˜how,ā€™ but also the ā€˜whyā€™ in response to the great questions of this and every age,ā€ Patten said during her Convocation Hall remarks.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__9550 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/2018-11-06-Rose-Patten-book-%28web-embed%29.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy">&nbsp;<br> <em>A book commemorates Patten's installation as&nbsp;³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's 34<sup>th</sup> chancellor (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>Pattenā€™s first day as chancellor began in her office at Simcoe Hall. Representatives from across the university, including its various colleges, schools and administrative offices, crammed into the tiny room and modest anteroom ā€“ all of them wearing academic robes and other regalia.&nbsp;</p> <p>They were later joined by President Gertler, the vice-presidents and principals of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Scarborough and ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Mississauga ā€“ <strong>Wisdom Tettey</strong> and <strong>Ulrich Krull</strong>, respectively ā€“ as well as President Emeritus <strong>David Naylor</strong>, Chancellor Emeritus <strong>Hal Jackman</strong> and outgoing Chancellor <strong>Michael Wilson</strong>.</p> <p>While Patten posed for photographs and chatted with colleagues, <strong>Claire Kennedy</strong>, chair of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s Governing Council, and Wilson rehearsed their roles in the official robing ceremony that was about to take place on Convocation Hallā€™s stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>After a quick group photo outside, the procession split in two and entered Convocation Hall, where Patten was officially installed.&nbsp;</p> <p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/894uUX5ewcA" width="750"></iframe></p> <p>ā€œFew people have contributed as much energy to the well-being of this university than Dr. Rose Patten,ā€ said York University Chancellor <strong>Greg Sorbara</strong>, a former provincial finance minister who spoke on behalf of Ontario universities.&nbsp;</p> <p>He was followed by <strong>Scott MacKendrick</strong>, the president of the University of Toronto Alumni Association. MacKendrick called Patten, whose role includes acting as ambassador to ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻā€™s more than half million alumni around the world, ā€œa model ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ citizen and one of our fiercest champions.ā€</p> <p>Speaking on behalf of faculty members, Vice-President and Provost <strong>Cheryl Regehr</strong> praised Patten for encouraging ā€œeach and every one of us to attain excellence as leaders and strategically work to make the university, our communities and the world a better place,ā€ while Governing Council member <strong>P.C. Choo</strong>, said, on behalf of staff, heā€™s confident Patten will continue to serve the university with distinction in her new role.</p> <p>Perhaps the most inspiring remarks ā€“ fittingly, given it was a convocation ceremony ā€“ were delivered on behalf of the student body.&nbsp;</p> <p>After talking about the importance of resilience, undergraduate student <strong>Price Amobi Maka</strong> said Pattenā€™s career as a business leader, philanthropist and champion of women in leadership made her an ideal role model for ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ students.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œEven after a serious car accident, when doctors said she would likely never walk again, she did not allow anyone to determine her fate,ā€ he said, <a href="/news/u-t-s-new-chancellor-life-bay-street-executive-and-university-leader-and-dramatic-turning-point">referring to a 1983 incident </a>that involved Patten being struck by a car on University Avenue.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œShe exemplified the true values of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ and overcame all adversities to become the champion we see here today.ā€</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:24:49 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 146526 at ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ recognizes outstanding volunteers at Arbor Awards /news/u-t-recognizes-outstanding-volunteers-arbor-awards <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ recognizes outstanding volunteers at Arbor Awards</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/arbor-awards-carlu.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iDWXVdy8 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/arbor-awards-carlu.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=9s7HhoCh 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/arbor-awards-carlu.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=7-idIjEu 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/arbor-awards-carlu.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iDWXVdy8" alt="Arbor Awards at the Carlu"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2018-10-16T08:51:51-04:00" title="Tuesday, October 16, 2018 - 08:51" class="datetime">Tue, 10/16/2018 - 08:51</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">For the first time in its 29 years, the Arbor Awards were hosted off ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ property at the Carlu in downtown Toronto (photo by Gustavo Toledo Photography)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/awards" hreflang="en">Awards</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-music" hreflang="en">Faculty of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/innis-college" hreflang="en">Innis College</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/linguistics" hreflang="en">Linguistics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-meric-gertler" hreflang="en">President Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Thousands of students graduate from the University of Toronto, Canadaā€™s largest university, each year. The readers who invite students up to the stage to receive their degree have a formidable task ā€“ to correctly pronounce the names of students from 150 different countries around the world.</p> <p>Helping them with that task is&nbsp;<strong>Elizabeth Cowper</strong>, a professor emerita of linguistics. Years ago, Cowper, faculty colleagues and staff in the Office of Convocation created a training program and guide for university readers, providing them with tips on how to pronounce names with roots in different languages.</p> <p>ā€œSome students come from other countries. There are new Canadians. We don't want them to be othered and we don't want them to be made to feel like their names are weird,ā€ Cowper&nbsp;told <em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ</em>. Most of all, she felt for these students' parents who may be in the audience. ā€œIf the person reading the name totally blows it, then the parents get the idea that we don't know who their kid is. And that just makes me feel bad.ā€</p> <p>ā€œOverall, we have seen the quality of reading gradually come up,ā€ said Cowper, who has continued to volunteer her time more than four years since retiring.</p> <p>For their efforts, Cowper and her colleagues in the reader program&nbsp;ā€“ <strong>Christina Kramer</strong>, a professor of&nbsp;Slavic linguistics, and <strong>Michael Patrick Albano</strong>, an associate professor&nbsp;at the Faculty of Music&nbsp;ā€“ received Arbor Awards. The award recognizes university volunteers who are generous with their time and talent,&nbsp;embodying the values of ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's Latin&nbsp;motto,&nbsp;<em>velut arbor aevo&nbsp;</em>(may it grow as a tree through the ages).&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__9450 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/gertler-arbor.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>ā€œBy your example, you remind us of how the ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community plays an outsized role in making our world a better place,ā€ said ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ President Meric Gertler (photo by Gustavo Toledo Photography)</em></p> <p>President <strong>Meric Gertler </strong>thanked the recipients of this year's Arbor Awards on Monday evening at a ceremony at the Carlu, an Art Moderne event space at Yonge and College.&nbsp;ā€œThrough your dedication, wisdom and enthusiasm, you are touching the lives of countless members of our ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ community,ā€ he said,&nbsp;ā€œopening new horizons for our students, championing the work of our scholars and helping rally other alumni and friends to support our shared goals.ā€</p> <p><strong>Barbara Dick</strong>, assistant vice-president of alumni relations, extended&nbsp; thanks to the families of&nbsp;recipients, noting that every minute they volunteered at the university is one not spent with their loved ones.&nbsp;ā€œWe know that every minute and hour our Arbor Award recipients give to us is one they don't share with their family,ā€ she said.</p> <p>Each of the more than 100 award winners&nbsp;ā€“ from <strong>Ryan Ackers</strong>, ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's alumni representative in Calgary, to <strong>Morgan Wyatt</strong>, an Innis College alumnus and mentor&nbsp;ā€“ was called up to the stage to receive acknowledgement.</p> <h3><a href="https://alumni.utoronto.ca/events-and-programs/awards/arbor/recipients/2018">Read more about this year's winners</a></h3> <p>A few people accepted their award as a group, including the Bikila Award board of directors. They enlisted the support of the Ethiopian-Canadian community to promote Ethiopic history, language and culture studies in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, raising more than $300,000. <a href="/news/u-t-launches-class-ancient-ethiopian-language-very-nature-university">They were instrumental in helping ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ offer an introductory course in the ancient Semetic language of Ge'ez</a> (an intermediate course is being offered this fall). One of the Bikila members, lawyer, alumnus and community activist <strong>Tamrat Gebeyehu</strong>, received his award posthumously.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__9451 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/bakila-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>The Bikila Award Board of Directors, from left: Tessema Mulugeta, Behailu Atnafu, Haregua Getu and Birku Menkir (photo by Gustavo Toledo Photography)</em></p> <p>Another group who received the award was the Robarts Library book room volunteers. Since 2006, the group of mostly alumni ā€“ one of whom graduated in 1962&nbsp;ā€“ have sold second-hand books and vinyl at the library, raising important funds for facilities and services.</p> <p>There was also the Singapore Malaysia campaign committee, of the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering, who make up the core of the region's tight-knight alumni community. <a href="/news/u-t-engineering-opens-myhal-centre-engineering-innovation-entrepreneurship">They raised funds to support the new Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the downtown Toronto campus</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Volunteers across ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's three campuses were recognized for their contributions. <strong>Sanna Szeto</strong> accepted the award for coaching, mentoring and assisting ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Scarborough's field hockey program. She has coached every season since she graduated in 2004, and helped the team win a championship&nbsp;for the first time in 15 years.</p> <p><strong>Leonidas Tampacopoulos </strong>graduated from what was then known as Erindale College, now ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Mississauga, in 1996. The alternative education/special education teacher has been mentoring fourth-year students at his alma mater for 16 years. He told <em>³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ</em> he was aimless in his last year of university and wanted to help students find their path.&nbsp;</p> <p>New ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ Chancellor <strong>Rose Patten</strong> ā€“ herself an Arbor Award winner&nbsp;ā€“ closed the night with remarks on ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ's&nbsp;ā€œstrong and increasingly vibrant culture of volunteerism.ā€</p> <p>ā€œThrough your own contributions, you are making ³Ō¹Ļ±¬ĮĻ an even greater force for good in our society.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 16 Oct 2018 12:51:51 +0000 geoff.vendeville 145084 at