Yvonne Palkowski

While it’s not unusual for multiple generations of family members to attend a graduand’s convocation, it’s not too often that they all end up on the dais.

Such was the case at the University College Convocation at the University of Toronto June 17, when three generations of the Paul family participated in the august ceremonies.

When UC student Jeremy Bubbers stepped up to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree, grandfather William Paul, mother Lissa Paul, and uncle Marden Paul each had a front-row seat thanks to their roles in the academic procession. All the Pauls are �Թϱ�� alumni: William Paul attended University College and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941 and his PhD �Թϱ�� in 1948. Lissa Paul attended Victoria College at �Թϱ�� and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975 before going on to earn a PhD at York University in 1984. Marden Paul attended �Թϱ��'s New College and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984.

William is a Professor Emeritus in Clinical Biochemistry at �Թϱ�� who was part of a group credited with initiating nuclear medicine; Lissa is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Brock University and a renowned expert in children’s literature; and Marden is the Director of Planning, Governance, Assessment and Communications in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at �Թϱ��.

Along with William’s other daughter, Sarah Israela Paul, who received her bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at �Թϱ�� in 1990 and her master's in 1992, and newly minted alumnus Jeremy, they represent three generations of �Թϱ�� graduates.

“There was never any question, our kids were going to �Թϱ��,” says William, who kept a laboratory in the historic Banting Institute for 33 years and whose late wife, Ena, held a law degree from �Թϱ��.

“A household of knowledge and learning and books inspired all of us to appreciate education,” says Marden of his parents’ influence.

The family, based in Toronto’s The Annex, has always been close to the University—literally and philosophically. “Everything about our lives has been connected to �Թϱ��,” says Lissa.

“It was great hearing stories about the University in the 1930s and 40s from my grandfather, and knowing that so much of my family has wandered the same halls that I have,” says Jeremy. “Having most of my family on stage for convocation was incredible. It was a slightly surreal feeling, knowing more people on stage than in the audience.”

The philosophy and history graduate’s next steps include travelling to Vietnam in September and a potential career as a chef, an interest he discovered during a five-month volunteer stint in Kenya.

Yvonne Palkowski is a writer with University College at the University of Toronto.

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Honouring Dan Savage, Stephen Lewis and gay-straight alliances

sgupta — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:17:41 +0000

Honouring Dan Savage, Stephen Lewis and gay-straight alliances sgupta Wed, 05/01/2013 - 06:17

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Mark Bonham (left) and Dan Savage at the inaugural awards gala (photos by Nadia Molinari)

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Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies Awards

More than 220 advocates of sexual diversity education gathered April 25 for the first annual Bonham Centre Awards Gala, presented by the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto's University College.

Honoured for substantial contributions to the public understanding of sexual diversity were University College alumnus Stephen Lewis, longtime HIV/AIDS crusader and co-founder of AIDS-Free World; Dan Savage, bestselling author and co-founder of the It Gets Better campaign to help prevent suicide among LGBT youth; and Bent on Change, a gay-straight alliance at Harbord Collegiate Institute in Toronto, representing other such groups across Canada.

“Bent on Change, Stephen Lewis, and Dan Savage are each at the forefront of education in sexual diversity, an area that I would describe as the civil rights issue of our time,” said Bonham Centre Director Brenda Cossman, a professor in the Faculty of Law and an expert in the field of sexuality and the law.

Distinguished guests included Centre founder and namesake Mark Bonham, University of Toronto President David Naylor, alumna Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario (pictured below) and alumnus Charles Pachter, award-winning artist.

Presiding over the festivities was master of ceremonies Tré Armstrong, dancer, choreographer, and judge on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and the founder of the Tré Armstrong Foundation encouraging self-esteem and creative expression through dance. Musical entertainment was provided by Juno award-winning jazz artist Molly Johnson, founder of the Kumbaya Foundation and Festival in support of people living with HIV/AIDS.

While the Bonham Centre Awards were established in 2007, 2013 marked their first year as a gala event.

“Now more than ever, we want to help our students and the broader community understand what genuine inclusivity means,” said Bonham Centre founding director Professor David Rayside. “The challenges here are complex, and our own students are constantly raising new questions that go beyond what those of us in older generations can imagine.

"This is crucial work, and we need to do more of it,” he said.

Past recipients on the Bonham Centre Award include Oscar-winning screenwriter and LGBT rights activist Dustin Lance Black, Degrassi television series co-creator and executive producer Linda Schuyler, filmmaker John Greyson, lawyer Barbara Findlay, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and renowned sexual educator and counsellor Sue Johanson.

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University College announces Chair in Chinese Canadian Studies

sgupta — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:06:55 +0000

University College announces Chair in Chinese Canadian Studies sgupta Thu, 11/29/2012 - 11:06

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The Honourable Vivienne Poy, Chancellor Emerita of the University of Toronto (photo by Christopher Dew)

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Members of Toronto’s Asian Canadian community gathered at University College on Nov. 28, 2012 for the announcement of a new, endowed Chair in Chinese Canadian Studies.

Established with a $4 million anonymous donation and housed within the renowned Canadian Studies program at University College, the Richard Charles Lee Chair in Chinese Canadian Studies will be held by a rising star who will define the growing and dynamic field, said UC Principal Donald Ainslie. He added the Chair will enhance understanding of issues facing Chinese Canadians, as well as patterns of Canadian immigration, integration, multiculturalism, and belonging.

The announcement of the Chair follows the establishment of the Asian Canadian Studies undergraduate minor program at UC earlier this fall. The first of its kind in Canada, the program is breaking new ground in the multidisciplinary study of the historical, socio-cultural, economic, and political forces shaping our knowledge about people of Asian heritage in Canada, said Professor Ainslie.

“Not only are we advancing scholarship of Asian Canadian issues through teaching, we are now poised to be research leaders in this increasingly important area of inquiry,” Ainslie said.

In celebration of the launch of the Chair and minor program, University College hosted a lecture by the Honourable Vivienne Poy entitled Are We Too Asian?

Poy—whose father, Richard Charles Lee, is the Chair’s namesake—is the first person of Asian descent to have been appointed to the Senate of Canada, where she served from 1998 to September 2012. She is also Chancellor Emerita of the University of Toronto.

An entrepreneur, fashion designer, author, and historian, Poy is currently the chair of Lee Tak Wai Holdings Limited.

“I would like to congratulate University College for their vision,” Poy declared, praising the curricular and research developments for “not only imparting knowledge but building the people-to-people linkages that Canada desperately needs.”

“If China continues to rise, we must rise with it, or stagnate on the sidelines,” she said.

At the post-lecture reception, University of Toronto President David Naylor thanked the donor, remarking that UC is the ideal home for the Chair and program, citing the College’s founding values of openness and diversity. Also in attendance was The Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Ontario, and MPP for Markham-Unionville.

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Celebrating distinguished alumni of University College

sgupta — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:40:42 +0000

Celebrating distinguished alumni of University College sgupta Thu, 11/22/2012 - 05:40

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University College alumni (from left) Anne Golden, Charles Pachter and Rosalie Abella (photo by Christopher Dew)

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University College celebrated its distinguished graduates at the first annual UC Alumni of Influence awards Nov.15, 2012 at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto.

Nearly 400 guests, including 58 of the 100 award-winners or designates, descended upon the restored art-deco theatre for the event.

Honourees in attendance included some of Canada’s brightest lights in education, science, business, law, and the arts: HIV/AIDS crusader Dr. Stephen Lewis and his wife, journalist Michele Landsberg; computing pioneer Calvin Carl Gotlieb; Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella; prominent economist David A. Rosenberg; and contemporary artist Charles Pachter—all of whom got their start as undergraduates at UC. A full list of award winners is available here.

“Your successes in life resonate back to us at the College; you make us stronger,” said UC Principal Donald Ainslie.

Presiding over the festivities was master of ceremonies Adam Growe, host of Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab. Speakers included the Honourable Tony Clement, MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka and President of the Treasury Board of Canada, and �Թϱ�� President David Naylor, both University College graduates.

Among the highlights of the evening was the Fanfare of Illumination, a unique score composed in honour of UC students and performed by members of �Թϱ��'s Faculty of Music.

The inaugural awards banquet marked the start of a new tradition at University College, which will recognize 10 additional alumni annually. Instructions for nominating University College graduates for next year’s awards are available here.

Guests had the opportunity to preview artist’s renderings of planned improvements to the historic University College building, an architectural wonder in the Romanesque-Revival style constructed in 1853. The renovations form the basis of University College’s participation in the University of Toronto’s Boundless campaign, and are of a scale not seen at UC for more than 30 years.

“Improving these spaces is a necessity, not a luxury,” declared Ainslie.

The reimagined spaces—including a revitalized Library, Reading Room, Quadrangle, and Croft Chapter House—are both suitable for 21st century students and respectful of University College’s heritage as a National Historic Site.

In combination with accessibility improvements throughout building, the restorations will allow future generations of UC students to benefit from the openness and excellence at the core of a UC education.

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