Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
V13.01SPRING 2016
The Newsletter foralumni and friends of Woodsworth College
University of Toronto
HIGHLIGHTSMessage from
the Acting PrincipalPg. 2
2016 AnnualAwards Dinner
Pg. 2 & 3
Calendar of EventsPg. 3
WoodsworthCommunity Members
HonouredPg. 3
Alumni UpdatePg. 4
BrieflyPg. 4
Join us onFacebook!
The Alumni Students Mentorship Program, now in its third year, has expanded to 45 pairs of mentors and mentees. Following the kick-off event in the fall, participant pairs engaged with each other face to face, over the phone or by email. The intent is to broaden students’ awareness of possible careers as well as giving them the opportunity to make important connections and develop professional and personal skills.
The program has been very successful and many of the mentors have been part of it from the beginning. Mentors gain the satisfaction of knowing they are helping students understand the unfamiliar and often daunting world they will face.
The program is part of a very successful university-wide effort encouraging alumni to get involved and work with students as they prepare to graduate.
If you are interested in participating as an alumni mentor please contact [email protected]
WOODSWORTH COLLEGE
ALUMNI STUDENTSMENTORSHIP PROGRAM
GREAT MENTORS – GREAT MENTEES!
Being mentored by someone with a diverse educational and professional background has shifted my perspective in pursuing a career in the Capital Markets.
Filip Pejic
(L) Andrew CummingMentorPortfolio Manager/Managing DirectorBlackheath Fund Management
(R) Filip PejicMenteeFinance & Economics
I really appreciated the advice from my mentors when I was finishing my undergrad. This program was a greatway of offering that to the next generation of Woodsworthians.
Navdeep Johal
(L) Annie ChenMenteePolitical Science &Criminology
(R) Navdeep JohalMentorSenior Policy AnalystMinistry of Education
2 3
Mark your calendars for UofT’s Annual Spring Reunion events: Wednesday, May 25 to Sunday, May 29, 2016
AAWC AGM & Reception:Join fellow alumni as we celebrate alumni & student achievements at the AGM followed by a cocktail reception.Please note that the slate of alumni association officers will be presented during the business portion of the AGM. For up to date information on the 2016/17 slate of officers please visit: www.wdw.utoronto.caWhen: Thursday, May 26, 2016Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Where: Kruger Hall CommonsCost: FREERegister: www.alumni.utoronto.ca/woodsworthMore Info: [email protected] or 416.978.5301
Spring Convocation: Friday, June 10, 2016Convocation HallReception: Peter F. Bronfman CourtyardBy invitation only
JUNE
MAYIt was an honour and a delight for me to preside over the Annual Awards Dinner this year. It was wonderful to be able to spend time with students and donors to celebrate all that makes Woodsworth special
amongst the University of Toronto colleges. Showcased were exceptional
students who have achieved very high academic results while also committing themselves to volunteer work, part-time jobs, family responsibilities, and more. I met students who were single parents, recent immigrants, and
leaders both on campus and in the wider community. It was truly inspiring—and humbling—to hear their stories and to glimpse the dedication and effort that has produced their academic successes.
Much of this would not be possible without the generous support of our donors who have established so many scholarships to support and recognize academic accomplishment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters whose contributions enable us to deliver both merit-based scholarships and financial aid to students in need. We couldn’t do it without all of you.
In these past months I have been able to get to know the Woodsworth community well. It has been a privilege to work amongst a dedicated group of staff and faculty who make the College such a vibrant institution.
I welcome any comments and suggestions from our alumni and look forward to meeting more of you during the rest of this year.
Calendar of EventsA Message from Acting Principal
Carol Chin
2016
You canmake a direct and positive impact on Woodsworth Collegeand its studentsPlease give to the Woodsworth College Annual Fund today and help support students in need.
For more information call 416.978.0811or visit https://donate.utoronto.ca/wdw
Thank you for your support.
BOUN
DLES
SIM
PACT“
”
With over 200 merit-based scholarships awarded once again this year, it was a wonderful evening of celebration at the annual awards dinner at Hart House.
The College is proud and thrilled to have so many high achieving students amongst its cohort – including students whose awards reflect their outstanding contributions to the vitality of this community with their volunteer service. As well as showcasing the achievements of students, this evening provides an opportunity to thank our numerous donors for their loyal and generous support as we continue to strive for excellence in all our students and programs.
The evening was hosted by Carol Chin, Acting Principal for this academic year.
One of the speakers of the event was Tom Mitichinson, who,
along with his husband David Connolly, established the
Tom Mitchinson and David Connolly Award, which provides
support to Aboriginal students studying full-time in the social
sciences or the humanities and who receive no band support. Tom spoke with passion about how he and David came to establish this award – in essence an effort to provide more educational opportunities for Canada’s Indigenous people.
This year’s recipient, Lisa Boivin, also spoke and her remarks proved one of the highlights of the evening as she expressed how receiving this award has been instrumental in her achieving her educational goals as well as inspiring a reconnection with her indigenous heritage. Another highlight of the evening was the
presentation of the Brookfield Peter F. Bronfman Gold and Leadership
Scholarships. This year’s recipients were Jade LaMarche and Zihang
Pan (Gold); Cheyenne Cameron, Vincent Harinam, Olivia Hauck and Dani
Magsumbol (Leadership). The scholarships are worth $12,000 and
$6,000 respectively and are awarded to students
who demonstrate high academic
achievement coupled with outstanding volunteer contributions.
Be in the know! If you would like to receive advance notification of upcoming
events and Woodsworth news, simply contact us at [email protected] and provide us with your
preferred e-mail address.The University of Toronto respects your privacy. We do not rent, trade or sell our mailing lists.
You can alsofollow us on...
www.facebook.com/alumni.woodsworth
twitter.com/UofTAAWC
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O A L L T H E A W A R D W I N N E R S
2016ANNuAl AWArds
dINNer
WOOdSWORThSTUdENTS ANd dONORS
CElEbRATEd!
Woodsworth Community Members Honoured
Jack Lynn Cockwell,a Woodsworth College donor,
business leader andphilanthropist, and
Rohinton Mistry(WDW’82),renowned author and winner ofthe Giller Prize, were appointed
as Members of theOrder of Canada.
Jowi Taylor (WDW’90)was awarded the Governor
General’s Meritorious Service Medal for his cultural work in Canada.
Congratulations all!
4
119 St. George Street, Toronto ON M5S 1A9 416. 978.5301Window on WoodsworthWriters/Editors: Barbara Track & Stephanie WoodsideDesign: PRM inc. www.prm-design.comPrinting: Tower Graphics
PRIVACY STATEMENT: The University of Toronto respects your privacy. We do not rent, trade or sell our mailing lists. If you do not wish to receive this publication in the future, please contact us at 416.978.2139 or [email protected].
lori Riznek: When Lori graduated with her PhD she was uncertain which way she wanted to take her career.
With offers from both academia and the private sector she decided not to decide. So she worked in both, resulting in a very productive and interesting career.
For 36 years Woodsworth College and the Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources have been both Lori’s community and her extended family. Ten years ago she was given the opportunity to join the University full-time. She made a conscious decision to do this as she could see retirement looming on the horizon. It’s not that she relished the images of a professorial lifestyle, but rather that she saw this as her time to give back to students what someone once gave to her: belief in yourself, what we can accomplish no matter the hurdle, and the joy of learning.
Lori is passionate about teaching and learning and because of this Lori has been recognized on numerous occasions with teaching awards, each of which she treasures not for the awards themselves, but for the students who thought she was worthy of them. We will miss Lori swooping through the halls of Woodsworth College, hearing her loud laugh while she invites students to join her in a learning journey that would “take them to the edge of discomfort”….the only place she knows where true, deep, meaningful, long–lasting learning happens.
First June Straker Award winner:Amina Jama, a third year student majoring in Equity Studies, Diaspora and Transnational Studies, with a
minor in African Studies, is the first recipient of the June Straker Award. The award was established
to honour June’s more than 40 year career at Woodsworth College on the occasion of her retirement.
Amina said on hearing of receiving the award: “I met Ms. Straker while I was still in the Transitional Year Program and she was the reason I chose Woodsworth College to pursue my undergraduate program. She was there for me when I began this arduous journey and cheered me on even when I thought I never deserved it. Ms. Straker believed in me when I gave up on myself, she encouraged me to do my best and helped me to build my confidence, to achieve academic excellence, for this I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of the 2015 June Straker scholarship award.”
backpack tobriefcase :Working with the Centre for Industrial
Relations & Human Resources and the Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, the College hosted two well-attended speed networking events featuring alumni working in industries and sectors associated with the two program areas. These events gave students an opportunity to hear first-hand what career opportunities are possible upon graduation. This program is a joint venture with the Faculty of Arts and Science.
B r i e f l y
Dr. Timothy Sayle (WDW ‘06) will be joining the U of T Department of History as of 1 July 2016. He specializes in international relations and global security. Dr. Sayle received both his Bachelor and Masters degrees at the University of Toronto and then went on to complete his PhD at Temple University in 2014.
Dr. Sayle is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History. His research interests in international relations focus on global security and peacekeeping. Since finishing his dissertation, Dr. Sayle has maintained an active research agenda including coordinating an oral history project on President George W. Bush’s decision to “surge” troops in Iraq in 2007. We welcome Timothy back to the campus and hope to see him soon at the College!
Canadian social justice advocate and former Member of Parliament Jean Augustine (WDW ’73) will have her name grace Peel District School Board’s newest secondary school. Jean Augustine Secondary School, which is located in Brampton, is scheduled to open its doors September 2016. “Jean Augustine is a passionate, energetic social justice advocate who will serve as an exemplary role model for our future leaders,” Janet McDougald, the board’s chair, said in a statement after Dr. Augustine’s name was chosen. Woodsworth College extends its congratulations.
After graduating with her degree in finance and economics, Genevieve Nixon (WDW ‘13) joined TD Bank as a Credit Underwriter. Genevieve found ways to add value to her position by implementing a number of initiatives to improve efficiency within the Credit Centre Operations. Genevieve was recognized as one of TD’s top performers in 2015 and to recognize her accomplishment was sent to a conference in January where she had the opportunity to network with TD’s senior executive team. Recently she was promoted to the role of Business Process Analyst within the Auto Finance area. Genevieve also serves as the treasurer of the Alumni Association of Woodsworth College. Congrats and all the best in your new role, Genevieve!
Alumni UpdateTIMOTHY SAYLE
JEAN AUGUSTINE
GENEVIEVE NIXON
AAWC Workshop Sessions:Two professional development sessions were hosted by the AAWC: ‘Your Career from the Inside Out.’ The sessions were well received and the participants left with a better perspective on whether their personal identity matches their career aspirations.
Alumni Cafés: The Alumni Association continued to host very interesting speakers on topical subjects. Speakers and topics included: Prof. Beth Fischer, on American politics; Prof. Jordan Peterson, on psychology and existential reality; Dr. Marc Bubbs ND, on the benefits of the Paleo Diet; and Justice Marvin Zuker speaking on the intersection of education, family and criminal law. All events were well attended.
“Thanks to Norma Brock’s bequest, I can be a full-time student and an opera singer. One day, I’ll pay it forward.”
BRADLEY HOOVER
Join the Boundless Campaign by leaving a bequest to U of T in your will. And support the limitless potential of students like Bradley.
Find out more: [email protected] or give.utoronto.ca
BA 2016, Woodsworth
