Victoria College

Alumni

Cities

Geography and Planning

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Subheadline

Marian Mendoza is a product operations specialist at CurbIQ, a Toronto company that's helping cities wield data to better manage curbsides

For Marian Mendoza, curbsides aren’t simply where road and sidewalk happen to meet – they’re dynamic urban spaces with the potential to boost sustainability, inclusion and mobility.

An alum of the ��Ů��Ƶ’s Faculty of Arts & Science, Mendoza is a product operations specialist at CurbIQ, a Toronto-based company that offers a digital platform to help urban centres gather information about curbsides and optimize their use.

“Cities are finally starting to see the value of this real estate and taking steps to make the most of it,” says Mendoza, who earned her honours bachelor of arts in geography and international relations in 2019 as a Victoria College member.

Curbside management has become increasingly important as curb use expands beyond vehicle parking to include bike lanes, patios and designated pickup areas for rideshares. Toronto, for example, has about 5,600 kilometres of curbside – a distance roughly equal to that between U of T’s St. George campus and Whitehorse, Yukon.

By providing cities with the tools to analyze real-time and historical data, CurbIQ helps municipalities and large urban institutions that manage roadways – such as universities and airports – make strategic, data-informed decisions to better optimize curbside space.

“A city can use CurbIQ to see that certain on-street parking spaces are underutilized,” says Mendoza. “And this could help decision-makers to consider converting those spaces into alternative curbside uses, such as a dedicated lane for transit or active transportation – improving accessibility and mobility in general for the city.”

CurbIQ digitizes curb regulations, integrates usage data from multiple sources and centralizes the information into a single platform (Image courtesy of Arcadis)

Since its founding in 2019, CurbIQ has had an impact in cities across Canada and around the world.

In Toronto, the platform facilitated the expansion of bike lane infrastructure on Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue, and helped identify potential patio sites for the city’s CaféTO program, which created curb lane patios for restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Edmonton, Alta. and Arlington County, Va., CurbIQ was used to optimize management of parking spaces.

And in Dublin, Ireland, CurbIQ mapped more than 30 kilometres of curbside, helping city staff and third-party vendors, such as delivery services, better understand curb usage patterns – reducing congestion, lowering carbon emissions and improving traffic flow.

“I’ve already noticed a shift in support from the public and private sectors for building our cities smarter, in ways that use technology to improve urban planning processes,” says Mendoza, noting digital tools like CurbIQ are essential to helping manage rising demand for housing, transit and curb space as cities and populations grow.

“But I’m a firm believer that technology doesn't replace human expertise; it just gives us the data and confidence to make better decisions.”

CurbIQ's platform has been used in cities across Canada and around the world (image courtesy of Arcadis)

Mendoza says the skills she developed at U of T have stood her in good stead as she establishes herself among a new generation of city-builders using data and advanced technology.

“U of T taught me to be curious, ask questions and develop strong research skills,” says Mendoza. “You’re free to ask any questions you want, and you have guidance from professors to explore and nurture your research interests.”

Mendoza’s work at U of T included an independent research project on multimodal transportation in Portland, Oregon, conducted under the mentorship of Michael Widener, chair and professor in the department of geography and planning. “As a student, Marian had a special talent for thinking through complex urban problems, their connections to both social and technical systems, and then charting a way forward,” says Widener.

“She always brought to class a wonderful mix of intellectual curiosity and positivity,” adds Don Boyes, a professor, teaching stream and associate dean, teaching and learning, who taught Mendoza in several courses. “It’s great to see her doing so well in her chosen field.”

In addition to the support of professors and peers, Mendoza is grateful for the numerous scholarships she received at U of T, which included the William G. Dean Scholarship in Geography Field Research.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I had,” says Mendoza. “Scholarships gave me the freedom to explore a career path that wasn’t a straight line.”

Changemakers: U of T students awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:30:32 +0000

Changemakers: U of T students awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 11/21/2024 - 09:30

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Victoria College students Noah Rudder, left, and Amy Mann, right, have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships (photo by Will Dang)

Joe Howell

Topic

Global Lens

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

Noah Rudder and Amy Mann will pursue fully-funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford

Noah Rudder was rehearsing for a starring role as the detective Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express at the ��Ů��Ƶ’s Hart House Theatre when he received the momentous news: he had just become a Rhodes Scholar.

The world’s oldest graduate fellowship, the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship enables recipients to pursue fully-funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

It is awarded following a rigorous global selection process.

“I was so grateful – I feel at home in the theatre, and there’s no better place for me to have taken that call,” says Rudder, a student at Victoria College who’s completing the peace, conflict and justice program at U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science alongside a major in drama at the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies.

Rudder is one of two U of T students to be named a 2025 Rhodes Scholar this year. He is joined by Amy Mann, a fellow Victoria College student who’s pursuing a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and statistics.

Mann says she’s looking forward to continuing her research in mathematical biology at Oxford.

“I want to keep studying math and seeing how we can apply it to these big problems – like considering social factors of disease transmission to improve intervention strategies,” says Mann, who is the president of the U of T Mathematics Union.

The pair are among 11 Canadian students who will head to Oxford next fall, joining more than 100 young scholars from around the world.

“On behalf of the entire U of T community, I would like to congratulate Noah Rudder and Amy Mann on this tremendous achievement,” said U of T President Meric Gertler.

“We wish them continued success in their scholarship and look forward to hearing about their accomplishments in the years to come.”

Rhonda McEwen, president and vice-chancellor of Victoria University in the ��Ů��Ƶ, said she was “over the moon” for Rudder and Mann. “It is a true privilege to interact with this caliber of young person,” McEwen said.

Rudder, who hails from Ajax, Ont., hopes to combine his interests in social justice and the arts by pursuing master of public policy and a master of fine arts degrees at Oxford.

The president of the Peace, Conflict and Justice Society, Rudder was instrumental in Victoria University’s signing of the Scarborough Charter, a commitment by institutions across Canada to combat anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion in higher education. “Working with Vic’s Office of the President on the Scarborough Charter inspired me to contribute to an area that I can make an impact,” he says. “I think there are a lot of opportunities to push for spaces for Black individuals at the highest level of education.”

He has also conducted research with the World Bank’s Office of the Chief Economist, focusing on knowledge generation in African countries before 2009 – and has written for and performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival and various U of T productions.

Mann, meanwhile, is passionate about leveraging math and science to address pressing global challenges.

In 2021, she co-authored a paper, published in the journal Atmosphere-Ocean, that examined the reduction in occurrences of cold weather in the Canadian Arctic. She’s now focused on the intersection of climate change and public health. Her current research project seeks to create climate-dependent models of malaria transmission in Cameroon.

She has been involved in sustainability and other causes. At Victoria College, she served as the sustainability commissioner on the Students’ Administrative Council and a student member of the Board of Regents. She also co-founded the student community garden and volunteers at The Common Table, a drop-in program that supports individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty.

“Congratulations to Amy and Noah, both from Victoria College, on being named Rhodes Scholars,” said Antoinette Handley, acting dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science and professor in the department of political science. “Their academic achievements and commitment to leadership and civic engagement are a testament to their hard work and vision.

“We’re incredibly proud to have them represent both Victoria College and the Faculty of Arts & Science at Oxford, and we look forward to the many ways they’ll continue to make a difference.”

McEwen, meanwhile, said Rudder and Mann exemplify the potential that U of T’s younger generation of budding scholars hold in tackling important challenges.

“Both students share a passion for people and embody the multidisciplinary approach needed to address the ‘wicked problems’ of the world – complex issues requiring insights from multiple disciplines,” McEwen said.

“They are curious but compassionate people who will challenge existing frameworks for a better tomorrow. When you meet either of them, you understand that you are with someone who is going to continue to do amazing things.”

Kudakwashe Rutendo - a recent grad and TIFF 'Rising Star' - is just getting started

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:49:54 +0000

Kudakwashe Rutendo - a recent grad and TIFF 'Rising Star' - is just getting started

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 11/18/2024 - 10:49

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Kudakwashe Rutendo balanced her studies with a thriving career in film and her aspirations as a novelist (photo by Helen Tansey ~ Sundari Photography)

Topic

Subheadline

"My goal is to keep telling stories that shed light on humanity, especially on the struggles that so many of us have faced"

Kudakwashe Rutendo is a born storyteller who has taken on several different roles in her own life: an actor in film, theatre and television; aspiring novelist; and a passionate student of English, philosophy and classics.

The recent ��Ů��Ƶ graduate was named one of 2023’s Rising Stars by the Toronto International Film Festival and starred in the Canadian feature film Backspot. She also has several other stage and screen credits.

As a writer, she’s already completed her first novel, is drafting a second and was recently a panelist on CBC’s Canada Reads.

Writer spoke Cynthia MacDonald recently caught up with Rutendo, who was a member of Victoria College, to talk about her experiences – and her plans for life after U of T.

You were raised in Fort McMurray, Alta. and came to acting and writing through poetry. How did that happen?

Growing up, my mom put me in Girl Guides, swimming, soccer and dance. But then I heard about poetry competitions and said to myself: “I want to do this!” It felt very powerful. I started out reciting Shel Silverstein, but moved on to Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, as well as writing speeches. By the time I got to high school, I was working on my associate diploma in speech and drama at the Royal Conservatory. When you’re bringing words to life – well, that’s acting, right? And I said to myself, “I don’t know who I’d be without this. I guess it’s something I have to continue to do.”

What was it like to be named a Rising Star at TIFF?

That outside acknowledgment was very special. The program connected me with industry professionals and some of the top casting directors, and I also got to participate in workshops. It’s nice to be able to have those connections, because the acting industry is a community – one that you really need.

Can you tell us about your first novel, which is tentatively titled Dancing Against the Night and is now being considered for publication?

One of the main things I wanted to do was combine prose and poetry. The book is set in Toronto and follows a ballerina who struggles with depression. It’s inextricably tied to U of T because I conceived of it here and workshopped a lot of the early parts in various creative writing classes. I worked with some amazing professors – for example, Robert McGill, Ian Williams and Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer. It touched on a really formative part of my life, and on an important subject. I wanted to write about mental health and the struggle we all have to feel seen.

On Canada Reads, you championed Tea Mutonji’s Shut Up You’re Pretty. Who are some of the writers who inspire you?

I really like James Baldwin — I finished Giovanni’s Room a few months ago and it haunted me. I honestly don’t think he wrote enough. I’ve connected with Toni Morrison as well. I recently read Elizabeth Smart’s By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept and thought it was phenomenal. When I first read it, I didn’t connect with it – but I think I was approaching it the wrong way. I was reading it like a narrative when it’s really a prose poem. As a reader, when you go into a book with expectations, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

You graduated with a major in English and a double minor in philosophy and classical civilizations. Why did you choose that program?

I chose my degree based on the subjects I’m passionate about – and I do think that’s how I like to live my life. I love to read and I always knew I would study English. In every lecture I was invested. I wanted to push myself. I was fascinated by what I was doing. When it came to philosophy, I loved the structure – dissecting arguments and studying reason. I also think studying philosophy is a great way to get to know yourself. Finally, I studied classics because they’ve inspired so much of everyday life. You can see references to them throughout literature.

Sometimes people ask why I didn’t study drama. I think the fact that I didn’t makes me much more of a well-rounded performer. The more you can pull from different life experiences, the stronger you are as an actor.

What are some of your career goals?

Growing up within the Black diaspora in Canada, I would say that telling Black stories was always at the forefront of my mind. When I was young there was almost no media showcasing Black people – in the books I was reading, the TV shows I was watching, there was nobody who looked like me. When you grow up and you never see yourself, you start to hate yourself. You feel invisible.

I’m happy for the strides we’ve made in representation since then. I have a bunch of little sisters and I don’t want them to have the same experiences I did. To create art is to represent things that might be uncomfortable – that’s the artist’s creed. My goal is to keep telling stories that shed light on humanity, especially on the struggles that so many of us have faced.

Toronto gallerist and art pioneer Jane Corkin receives U of T honorary degree

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:32:42 +0000

Toronto gallerist and art pioneer Jane Corkin receives U of T honorary degree Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/01/2024 - 16:32

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(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Scott Anderson

Topic

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Convocation 2024

Faculty of Art & Science

Honorary Degree

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Woodsworth College

At a time when images have become such a powerful cultural force, it’s odd to think that, as recently as 50 years ago, photography was not commonly considered a serious art form. Many galleries didn’t show it, and the few that did were often considered outsiders.

Jane Corkin has been a driving force in changing perceptions. From the time she began curating in the 1970s, the Toronto gallerist has been championing photographers and their work in Canada and around the world.

Today, for her role as a pioneering gallerist and leading advocate for the art of photography in Canada and abroad, and for helping to make Toronto a hub for modern and contemporary art, Corkin will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the ��Ů��Ƶ.

Corkin grew up in Boston, the third of four siblings. Her father, a self-educated, successful entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist, died when she was 11, casting her into a role, she says, of wanting to make sure the rest of the family “were all OK.”

She recalls getting interested in art as a child, painting after school and taking art lessons. For a birthday, she might receive an art book on Van Gogh or Monet. “Those were great presents for me,” she says. She was also the one who took photos at family get-togethers.

Corkin moved to Canada in 1967 at age 17 to attend Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. She initially studied political science because, she says, “At a time of unrest, it seemed I should do something more important in the world than just study something I loved.” Those feelings changed, though, and she switched her major to art history, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1972.

At Queen’s, she took photographs – often portraits – for the student newspaper, the Queen’s Journal, and grew interested in acquiring photographs as artworks. “I started buying pictures when I was at university,” she told the Toronto Star in 2014. “Photographs were not expensive then.”

After graduating, Corkin landed a job at David Mirvish’s gallery on Markham Street in Toronto and continued to shoot portraits in her spare time. On a trip to New York, she met the Hungarian-American photographer André Kertész, known for his photo essays and unusual camera angles.

Inspired, Corkin organized the Mirvish Gallery’s first-ever photography exhibition. She began representing photographers for the gallery, and several years later, after Mirvish closed shop, Corkin took over that part of the business. So, it seemed a natural next step to open her own gallery, focusing on photography – which she did in 1979. Corkin Gallery was located in a one-time shoe factory on Front Street – far from Yorkville, then the nucleus of Toronto’s art scene.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Opening a gallery dedicated to photography wasn’t an obvious decision. “Photography was considered a new media,” Corkin told Artoronto.ca in 2019. “Even [now renowned artists such as] Nan Goldin and Diane Arbus were part of the outsider movement. There were not many people who understood the art that I was showing.”

Because Corkin represented photographers and demonstrated a willingness to show other “unusual” artforms such as ceramics and furniture, she says was considered a renegade within Toronto art circles: “I was doing something different.”

As a young gallerist, Corkin was naturally drawn to emerging artists and believed in connecting artists from different places who are asking similar questions. ‘We are always thinking about artists who live and work here in Toronto within a context of international artists,” she says.

Her efforts got noticed. It wasn’t long after her gallery opened that Maclean’s magazine dubbed her Canada’s “first lady of photography.” Now, decades into her career, she still bristles with energy – with one Toronto Star interviewer suggesting she’s a testament to the adage: “Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Of course, like any entrepreneur, Corkin has experienced her share of business challenges. She’s worked hard in Canada to build a culture of appreciation around fine art like the one that exists in Europe. “Canada isn't a country where people think they need art,” she says, adding that she believes this is a missed opportunity.

“I think it’s so important to the whole human being,” she says, “to see art and to really look at it. To put away your cell phone, turn it off and stare at something and have it speak to you.”

It’s among the messages she hopes that graduating students from the Faculty of Arts & Science, the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy will take away from her remarks today in Convocation Hall.

In 2000, Corkin began looking for a new gallery space and eventually found one she loved in Toronto’s Distillery District. Her new gallery still shows photography, but also contemporary artists in all media.

And, two years ago, Corkin was appointed to the board of trustees of the International Center of Photography in New York – a role that underscores her contributions to the international art community and her ongoing commitment to advancing the cultural fabric of Canada and beyond.

U of T experts tackle questions about AI safety, ethics during panel discussion

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 18:33:43 +0000

U of T experts tackle questions about AI safety, ethics during panel discussion

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 10/02/2024 - 14:33

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From left: U of T's Roger Grosse, Sedef Kocak, Sheila McIlraith and Karina Vold take part in a panel discussion on AI safety (photo by Duane Cole)

Kyle Coulter

Jovana Jankovic

Topic

Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society

The Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

Artificial Intelligence

Centre for Ethics

Department of Computer Science

Department of Philosophy

Vector Institute

Subheadline

"We should be building AI systems that promote human flourishing – that allow human beings to live with dignity and purpose, and to be valued contributors to society”

What does safe artificial intelligence look like? Could AI go rogue and pose an existential threat to humanity? How have media portrayals of AI influenced people’s perceptions of the technology’s benefits and risks?

These were among the pressing questions tackled by four experts at the ��Ů��Ƶ and its partner institutions – in disciplines ranging from computer science to philosophy – during a recent panel discussion on AI safety.

Sheila McIlraith, professor in U of T’s department of computer science at the Faculty of Arts & Science and Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute, said the notion of AI safety evokes different things to different people.

“Computer scientists often think about safety critical systems – the types of systems that we’ve built to send astronauts to the moon or control our nuclear power plants – but AI safety is actually quite different,” said McIlraith, an associate director at the U of T’s Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI).

“For me personally, I have a higher bar, and I really think we should be building AI systems that promote human flourishing – that allow human beings to live with dignity and purpose, and to be valued contributors to society.”

The event, hosted by SRI in partnership with the Vector Institute, the Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology, the Centre for Ethics and Victoria College, invited McIlraith and her fellow panelists to discuss how AI technologies can be aligned with human values in an increasingly automated world.

They also discussed how risks surrounding the technology can be mitigated in different sectors.

Karina Vold, the event’s moderator, underscored the challenge of building safe AI systems in an uncertain world (photo by Duane Cole)

Moderator, Karina Vold, assistant professor in the Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology in the Faculty of Arts & Science, noted that because AI systems operate “in a world filled with uncertainty and volatility, the challenge of building safe and reliable AI is not easy and mitigation strategies vary widely.”

She proceeded to ask the panel to share their thoughts on the portrayal of AI in popular culture.

“The media devotes more attention to different aspects of AI – the social, philosophical, maybe even psychological,” said Sedef Kocak, director of AI professional development at the Vector Institute.

“These narratives are important to help show the potential fears, as well as the positive potential of the technology.”

The discussion touched on several topics related to AI safety (photo by Duane Cole)

Roger Grosse, associate professor in U of T’s department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science and a founding member of the Vector Institute, said that safety concerns around AI are not merely rooted in science and pop culture, but also in philosophy.

“Many people think that the public’s concerns regarding AI risks come from sci-fi, but I think the early reasoning regarding AI risks actually has its roots in philosophy,” said Grosse, who also holds Schwartz Reisman Chair in Technology and Society.

“If we’re trying to reason about AI systems that don’t yet exist, we don’t have the empirical information, and don’t yet know what their design would be, what we can do is come up with various thought experiments. For example, what if we designed an AI that has some specific role, and all of the actions that it takes are in service of the role?

“For the last decade, a lot of the reasons for being concerned about the long-term existential risks really came from this careful philosophical reasoning.”

The discussion also touched on the dangers of AI models misaligning themselves, how to guard against bias in the training of large language models, and how to ensure that AI models with potentially catastrophic capabilities are safeguarded.

“This [safeguarding] is an area where new research ideas and principles will be required to make the case,” said Grosse. “Developers saying, ‘Trust us’ is not sufficient. It’s not a good foundation for policy.”

Despite addressing topics surrounding potential harms and risks of AI, the panelists also shared their optimism about how AI can be wielded for the greater good – with Grosse noting AI offers the promise of making knowledge more widely accessible, and Kocak focusing on the myriad benefits for industries.

Watch the Sept. 10 conversation below:

‘Think against yourself’: Panel discussion on civil discourse draws students to U of T’s Hart House

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 17:38:08 +0000

‘Think against yourself’: Panel discussion on civil discourse draws students to U of T’s Hart House

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 09/24/2024 - 13:38

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Students ask questions during a recent panel discussion about civil discourse on university campuses that was hosted by Professor Randy Boyagoda (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Chris Sorensen

Topic

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

English

Hart House

Religion

Undergraduate Students

Vic One

Hugh Considine got a crash course in discussing polarizing topics almost immediately upon arriving at the ��Ů��Ƶ.

The second-year student studies religion in the Faculty of Arts & Science – a subject, he says, that can be about as controversial as it gets.

“People have an unimaginable amount of investment in it,” says Considine, 19, a member of Innis College. “Depending on who you ask, it’s literally your soul at hand – the ultimate thing that could be risked.”

He credits his professors for creating an environment where students feel unafraid to speak their minds, encouraging them to comment, ask questions and generally “poke and prod” one another so we “would actually think about what’s being said.”

It’s a microcosm of what campus life is supposed to be all about: a diverse group of people coming together to expand their worldviews through study, debate and discovery – and it’s a message that was reinforced during a recent event for Victoria College students in the Vic One program.

The hour-long panel discussion, held at Hart House on Sept. 18, focused on the critical role of civil discourse on university campuses. It brought together two high-profile U of T academics and authors – Ian Williams of the department of English and Janice Stein of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy – and New York Timescolumnist Pamela Paul.

The first in a series of planned events and initiatives on the topic, the talk was moderated by Professor Randy Boyagoda, the university’s provostial adviser on civil discourse and chair of its Working Group on Civil Discourse, and is part of a broader effort to strengthen the culture of civil discourse on campus. That includes cultivating dialogue across different points of view and the discussion of challenging subjects.

Hundreds attended the event at Hart House, including Hugh Considine at bottom right (photo by Johnny Guatto)

The discussion, which drew about 150 attendees, touched on everything from today’s increasingly polarized political and cultural environment to the risks faced by universities – and society at large – if open discussion and debate of difficult topics are frowned upon or crowded out.

Not surprisingly, the panel members each had a unique take on the nature of the threat and what should be done about it.

Paul, for example, said she was especially concerned about a culture of self-censorship, saying she opted to become an opinion writer after years editing the New York Times Book Review upon recognizing the bulk of discussion about politics and culture was taking place only at extreme ends of the spectrum.

“What you had was this growing vacuum in the middle where nuance and complexity lived and no one was speaking up,” she said.

Stein, however, said that not all forms of self-censorship are necessarily undesirable, noting that she refrains from vocalizing thoughts she deems unnecessarily rude.

“When we’re in a learning community together, we have to say things in a way that people can hear,” said Stein, the Munk School’s founding director and University Professor and Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management in the department of political science. She added that what matters is why we self-censor – do we do it out of fear or out of consideration for others?

Williams, a professor of English and author who has published acclaimed books of poetry, essays and works of fiction, warned against viewing debate as simply an opportunity to persuade someone else of your views.

“The more interesting way of having these conversations [is not to] focus on converting a person to a team, but saying, ‘Here’s how my ideas have changed over time.’”

There were several other takeaways for the largely student audience, which included several first-years.

Paraphrasing French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, Boyagoda, a writer, professor of English and vice-dean, undergraduate in the Faculty of Arts & Science, urged students to “think against yourself ” by creating their own counterarguments as an intellectual exercise. Similarly, Paul spoke about the value of engaging with those who don’t share your opinions.

Stein and Williams also emphasized the U of T community’s shared responsibility to create an environment where people can ask questions and test out ideas. And if you find yourself amongst people who refuse to grant that space? “Just take that conversation elsewhere, rather than burying it or self-censoring it,” Williams said.

Following the talk, students asked questions about the “paradox of tolerance,” or the idea that creating a tolerant society requires being intolerant of intolerance, and how to cope with the repercussions of being ostracized for expressing an unpopular view, among other things.

Considine, one of four undergraduate student members of the civil discourse working group, said he was pleased to see so many students engaging with the topic.

“That’s something that, as one of the student representatives – and as the youngest student representative – I'm very conscious about.”

Food for thought: First-year student campaigned for more nutritious, affordable meals in Niagara schools

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:29:41 +0000

Food for thought: First-year student campaigned for more nutritious, affordable meals in Niagara schools

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 08/28/2024 - 10:29

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Julianna Marcel, who graduated from Greater Fort Erie Secondary School in Fort Erie, Ont., will be studying at Rotman Commerce this fall (photo courtesy of Julianna Marcel)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Back to School 2024

Rotman School of Management

Rotman Commerce

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

As a high school student and Niagara Region school board trustee, Julianna Marcel led a successful effort to overhaul school cafeteria meals and secure funding for culinary education

Julianna Marcel was in Grade 10 when a teacher pulled her out of science class and asked if she’d be interested in joining the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN)’s student trustee senate.

“I said yes, despite not knowing what it was,” says Marcel of the group that serves as a bridge between the school board and student body.

It would prove to be a fateful decision for both Marcel and the school board.

Later elected to one of three student positions on the DSBN’s board of trustees, Marcel went on to lead a successful campaign to overhaul school cafeteria menus to make them more nutritious and affordable. The effort also helped secure funding for culinary education.

“It ended up being one of the most transformative experiences of my life, connecting me deeply with both the student body and the educational community," Marcel says.

Marcel, who will begin a bachelor of commerce degree at the ��Ů��Ƶ this fall, decided to act when a survey revealed a significant demand for healthier, more affordable meal options.

“Students expressed concerns about the high cost and low quality of their food, which I found unacceptable,” she says. “I recognized the need for change and saw an opportunity to advocate for healthier food in schools while better supporting our students.”

As she attended Greater Fort Erie Secondary School in Fort Erie, Ont., Marcel educated herself on food services policy and finance and carried out research on the impact of nutrition on academic performance and student success.

With her adviser’s encouragement, Marcel shared her findings in a letter to the president of DSBN’s food service provider. A series of meetings followed and, ultimately, a revamp of cafeteria menus.

Next, Marcel turned her attention to campaigning for more resources for culinary education. This led to the DSBN allocating $500,000 in its 2023-24 budget to expand culinary education.

Marcel's contributions were recognized with an Ontario Public Student Trustee Leadership Scholarship, jointly awarded by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Public Board Council of OSTA-AECO. The award citation noted that her work benefited some 37,500 students.

She's keen to highlight that the positive outcomes were the result of collective effort.

“I wouldn’t say that these changes are my accomplishments. They are a testament to what we can achieve when we listen to and involve students in decision-making processes,” she says.

The advocacy work led by Marcel benefited more than 37,000 students (photo courtesy of Julianna Marcel)

In addition to her trustee responsibilities and keeping up her grades, Marcel also made sure to carefully consider her post-secondary options. She participated in the U of T Faculty of Law’s youth summer programs in 2022 and 2023 – experiences that she says inspired her long-term ambition to attend law school at U of T and become a technology and corporate lawyer.

She says she is drawn to U of T’s vast array of resources and supports – and the diversity of its community.

“When I was picking between schools, I really did a deep delve into my top few choices and the ��Ů��Ƶ has the most academic, extracurricular and career supports of any school that I researched,” says Marcel, who will pursue a specialist in finance and economics at Rotman Commerce as member of Victoria College.

“Coming to Toronto, I’m so excited to get to know everyone, learn more about the people and communities around me and meet so many international students.”

She intends to use her undergraduate years to enrich her understanding of how economics can be used to address societal problems.

“I’m drawn to economics because it offers a powerful framework for analyzing the challenges we face in society,” Marcel says. “Whether it’s understanding the causes of economic inequality or exploring the impacts of globalization or designing policies for sustainable growth, I believe economics provides the tools to critically access and influence the world around us.”

Marcel also plans to make time for her many hobbies while at university: she plays five musical instruments, enjoys soccer and basketball, and loves writing.

She hopes to start a tutoring business that engages U of T students in assisting high school and elementary learners, and wants to get involved in student groups at Rotman Commerce – particularly the Law Association, FinTech Association and Women in Business group.

"My ultimate goal is to support my community in every way that I can – not just in my first year but throughout my life," she says.

Canada Post stamp honours the late Norman Jewison, one of the country's most celebrated filmmakers

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:00:56 +0000

Canada Post stamp honours the late Norman Jewison, one of the country's most celebrated filmmakers

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 08/27/2024 - 09:00

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(source photo by Peter Bregg for HELLO! Canada)

Joe Howell

Topic

Alumni

Subheadline

A U of T alumnus, Jewison served as chancellor of Victoria University in the ��Ů��Ƶ from 2004 to 2010

Canada Post recently honoured acclaimed Canadian filmmaker – and ��Ů��Ƶ alumnus – Norman Jewison with the recent release of a commemorative stamp.

Jewison, who died in January at age 97, was one of Victoria College’s most distinguished graduates. He was nominated for best director three times at the Academy Awards: for In the Heat of the Night (1967), Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and Moonstruck (1987).

He also served as chancellor of Victoria University in the ��Ů��Ƶ from 2004 to 2010, with the Jewison stream of Vic One, the award-winning first-year program at Victoria College, named in his honour.

“As Canadian as maple syrup, as Canadian as a Prairie sunset, and now we have as Canadian as Norman Jewison on a stamp – which may be the winning entry,” said comedian Rick Mercer during an unveiling event on July 24.

The event was hosted by the hosted at the Canadian Film Centre (CFC), which was established by Jewison in 1988 and serves as an incubator for Canadian film talent.

Mercer, who was joined at the launch by director and U of T alumnus David Cronenberg, later told CBC News that Jewison was a “class act” who “believed in young people.”

Cronenberg, meanwhile, told the audience that, “When saying goodbye, [Jewison] would always say ‘stay strong,’ because he knew how much strength you needed to do what we did.”

Paul Gooch, a professor emeritus of philosophy who was president of Victoria University during Jewison’s time as chancellor, was among the attendees at the unveiling.

“It was quite joyful because Norman was such a wonderful guy and people wanted to tell stories about his life,” said Gooch. “All of the speakers referred to the fact that he was a storyteller and didn’t want to preach, despite being very concerned about social justice issues.

“He was great on human follies and the prejudices that we have.”

Gooch recalled Jewison’s remarkable support of young people. “As chancellor, he loved to interact with the students,” said Gooch. “He had something he did occasionally called ‘chat with the chanc,’ where he would have a group of students over to his place on Gloucester Lane and just sit around talking.”

Professor Emerita Pauline Thompson and Professor Emeritus Paul Gooch (supplied image)

Jewison is the fourth Victoria College graduate to be recognized with a stamp by Canada’s postal service in recent years, joining Margaret Atwood, Northrop Frye and Donald Sutherland. He was closely involved with the stamp’s creation and personally chose the image, which was taken at the CFC in 2007 by Peter Bregg for HELLO! Canada.

“After the photo appeared in Hello!, Norm called me up and asked if he could use it elsewhere,” said Bregg. “I said, ‘Yes,’ with pleasure. For three or four years after that he’d send me a litre of maple syrup from his farm as a thank you, which I found quite sweet, no pun intended. I’ve seen the photo everywhere since then.”

“Because the launch event was held at the CFC, the post office had the idea to let people recreate the original photo,” added Bregg. “You got a five-by-seven-inch print of yourself in Norm’s seat taken from the same angle.”

Jewison’s commemorative stamp is now available online and at Canada Post locations across the country.

'I came for that theatre'; Why the late Donald Sutherland championed U of T's Hart House Theatre

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:04:15 +0000

'I came for that theatre'; Why the late Donald Sutherland championed U of T's Hart House Theatre

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 08/26/2024 - 09:04

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(photo by Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage/Getty Images)

Topic

Subheadline

The esteemed actor and U of T alumnus also created the Donald Sutherland Award for Best Performance

The late Donald Sutherland was not only an esteemed actor and alumnus of Victoria College – he was a fierce and lifelong champion of the ��Ů��Ƶ’s Hart House Theatre.

Known for roles in M*A*S*H, the Hunger Games, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and others, Sutherland stepped up in support of the campus theatre 24 years ago when it was facing possible closure.

With the help of fellow alumnus Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of Saturday Night Live, Sutherland became co-chair of the Friends of Hart House Theatre, which was colloquially known as the“Save Hart House Theatre Campaign.”

As part of his efforts, Sutherland penned an eloquent and heartfelt letter to then-theatre manager Janet Bessey that emphasized the theatre’s impact on his life and the lives of so many others.

“It’s a theatre. It smells. It hears. It sings. It’s a theatre with arms that embrace you, comfort you, push you, and applaud you. It gives birth to people who make theatre. It nurtures them. It guides them. It sets them free and they wear the mantle of that theatre for the rest of their lives,” he wrote.

He added that Hart House Theatre was among the reasons he applied to U of T in the 1950s.

“When I came to Toronto forty-seven years ago, I came for that theatre. Expressly for that,” he stated in his correspondence with Bessey.

“I’d never been inside a theatre before; I’d never even seen a play. I knew nothing but that I was an actor. I’d not played yet but that’s what I’d come to do,” he elaborated. “That theatre was where some messenger from some advisory council somewhere told my open-faced father and my stunned-in the-headlights self that that was [the] place to go if that indeed was what I wanted to do. It was.”

The correspondence, later published by a newspaper, caused a ripple effect. “Through Donald Sutherland’s personal generosity and leadership, hundreds of donors came forward and ensured that Hart House Theatre would remain a vital crucible for student artists,” says Peter Wambera, Hart House’s associate director of advancement.

Sutherland’s very first acting experiences were at U of T. During his undergrad years, he participated in several theatrical productions staged by Hart House Theatre, UC Follies and Victoria College Dramatic Society.

His first acting role at Hart House Theatre was in James Thurber and Elliott Nugent’s The Male Animal (1953), which was well-received. He also earned excellent reviews from both the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail for his role as Stephano in Hart House Theatre’s production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Other Hart House plays in which he was involved include Darkness at Noon, The Troublemakers and The School for Wives.

Sutherland also spent many of his summers acting at the Straw Hat Players, a theatre company founded by members of Hart House Theatre, along with its then director Robert Gill.

Donald Sutherland, centre, in "The School for Wives" in 1956 (photo courtesy of Hart House Theatre Archives)

Sutherland, a Companion of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Film), graduated from U of T in 1958 with a degree in engineering and drama. In 1998, he received an honorary degree from U of T in recognition of his acting career and his championing of social issues. Hart House co-signed the nomination, recalls then-Warden Margaret Hancock.

His support of Hart House Theatre never wavered. In 2014, through a generous donation, he created the Donald Sutherland Award for Best Performance.

“Donald Sutherland’s gift, the creation of the award, not only reflected his own unforgettable experiences at Hart House Theatre and how profoundly he valued this theatre, but it also guaranteed that there would be a permanent award to acknowledge outstanding student acting,” says Doug Floyd, Hart House’s director of theatre and performance art. “This is an extraordinary legacy that we cherish at Hart House Theatre. It will inspire and support students for many generations.”

Each year’s recipient of the Donald Sutherland Award wrote a letter summing up their experiences at the Hart House U of T Drama Festival. Updates were shared with Sutherland, would often respond with a letter of his own.

Hart House Theatre plans to dedicate the fall 2024/2025 season to Sutherland in a gesture of gratitude.

U of T community members recognized with Order of Canada

bresgead — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 16:49:13 +0000

U of T community members recognized with Order of Canada

bresgead Thu, 07/04/2024 - 12:49

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(photo by Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall, OSGG-BSGG)

Adina Bresge

Topic

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Unity Health

Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation

Alumni

Chemistry

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Hospital for Sick Children

Faculty of Music

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Order of Canada

Political Science

St. Michael's College

University College

University Health Network