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Alumni: Giving U of T more reasons to be proud

 

Stay current, stay connected

Want to be in the know about the important stuff happening at U of T? This is your destination for news on university and alumni events and activities happening right now.

Information on exciting research findings, the accomplishments of fellow alumni, new university programs and buildings, and the most current university endowment campaign will all be shared here. You’ll even be able to listen to recordings of recent lectures, read new president’s messages, and find out about the latest prominent individual to receive an honorary U of T degree.

If it’s news that’s important to alumni, you’ll always find it here.


Venus
Symposium to Explain Transit of Venus

On June 5th, 2012, the planet Venus will pass in front of the Sun as seen from


Donald R. Sadoway
Sadoway Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People

U of T Engineering alumnus Donald R. Sadoway has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most


Bruce Pynn
Bruce Pynn Helps Paleontology Students Pursue Their Dreams

Beginning this year, Bruce Pynn will provide student support for undergraduates in financial need who are pursuing


Professor Stephen Scherer
Researchers Uncover Clue to Autism Mystery

Autism researchers at U of T have uncovered a clue to the mystery of why autism affects


Stem cell research
Till and McCulloch Award goes to U of T’s Aaron Schimmer

Canada’s most coveted stem cell prize is going to a University of Toronto researcher who has only been working with


Professor Paul Stevens
Professor Paul Stevens Receives Guggenheim Fellowship

Paul Stevens, English professor and Canada Research Chair in Early Modern Literature and Culture, has been awarded


2012 Awards of Excellence
U of T Alumni Association Celebrates Faculty, Staff and Students

More than 175 people gathered at the Great Hall at Hart House April 10 as the U


Jaymie Matthews
U of T Alumnus Relaunches New College Lecture Series

When Carl Sagan gave the inaugural lecture for the Jacob Bronowski Memorial Lecture Series at New College


Hinton
U of T’s Geoffrey Hinton Wins Killam Prize

Geoffrey Hinton, one of the world’s leading researchers in machine learning and artificial intelligence, is the winner


Vic Launch
Victoria University Launches Imagination Unbound

Victoria University President Paul Gooch helped launch Vic’s “Imagination Unbound” fundraising campaign during a ceremony at Isabel


Billion_alumni
$1 Billion in Contributions to U of T

At the end of January, Boundless: The Campaign for the University of Toronto surpassed $1 Billion in


Arts and Science launch
Faculty of Arts and Science Celebrates Campaign Launch

More than 500 students, benefactors, volunteers, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the launch of the $250-million


Tanz Centre
U of T’s Tanz Centre is Half-Way to its $31 Million Campaign Goal

Reaching this milestone is, in large measure, a credit to the tireless work of fundraising co-chairs Mark


inductees
U of T Medicine celebrates three inductees to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

A University of Toronto professor emeritus and two former U of T professors renowned for their extraordinary


Professor Prabhat Jha
American Cancer Society honours U of T Professor Prabhat Jha

The American Cancer Society has recognized U of T Medicine Professor Prabhat Jha with a 2012 Luther


Andrew N. Forde
Black Business & Professional Association Honours U of T Alumnus

Materials Science and Engineering alumnus Andrew N. Forde has been named the recipient of the 2012 Harry


Heidi Taylor
Heidi Taylor to take on leadership of Playwrights Theatre Centre

Playwrights Theatre Centre today announced that, effective December 1, 2012, Heidi Taylor (UC 9T4) will assume leadership


U of T
U of T #1 in Canada, 16th Globally in Survey of World Academic Leaders

Leading academics from around the world have rated the University of Toronto number one in Canada and


Professor Joyce Poon
U of T Wins Four New Canada Research Chairs

Professor Joyce Poon of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is working


pharaoh
U of T-led Team Discovers Rare Wood Statue in Abydos, Egypt

A wooden statue of a king, a private offering chapel, a monumental building and remains of over


fossil
Human’s Oldest Ancestor Found in Burgess Shale

Researchers from the University of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the University of Cambridge have


lung surgery
Early-stage Lung Cancer gets new Surgical Treatment with Robot

In a Canadian first, a robotic surgical system has been used to treat early-stage lung cancer by


Photo by Ryan Pyle
U of T Alumnus Ryan Pyle Document’s China’s Rise to Power

Ryan Pyle‘s Canadian lecture tour, Bearing Witness: Documenting China’s Rise, launches at the Munk School for Global


Harley Pasternak
Fitness Guru Harley Pasternak Discusses His High Profile Career

Fitness guru, New York Times bestselling author and star of ABC’s daytime talk show The Revolution, Harley Pasternak


Professor Richard Peltier
U of T Takes Home a Slate of NSERC Awards

University of Toronto researchers won a number of the major NSERC awards, including the Herzberg Gold Medal,


Dr. Evans
A Wing of the MaRS Science Complex Named for Dr. John Evans

The family of Dr. John Evans, a co-founder of the MaRS science complex, is donating $10 million


Mummified dog
U of T Researcher Discovers Animal Mummies

Animal mummies, discovered by a team led by Professor Mary-Ann Pouls Wegner are revealing the secrets of an


heart
Men are not from Mars, women are not from Venus

UTM English professor Mari Ruti takes on the self-help industry in her book, The Case for Falling


Mats Sundin
Mats Sundin Establishes Medical Fellowships

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin announced today he will establish an elite scientific exchange program


Susan Hoeppner
Junos Jumping with U of T Nominees

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences slate of nominees for the 2012 JUNO Awards is


Dr. Tina Meisami
U of T Alumni Provide Free Dental Treatment to Abused Women

Dr. Tina Meisami and four of her female dental colleagues, who have been friends since studying at


ground breaking
U of T Breaks Ground for Goldring Centre

Nearly 300 guests turned out at the Varsity Centre dome on Jan. 31 to celebrate the latest


research celebration
U of T Celebrates its Award-Winning Researchers

The University of Toronto honoured more than 250 of its award-winning researchers for their notable achievements and…


Shana Kelley
New Device will Detect Cancer in Minutes

Dr. Shana Kelley has Toronto’s medical community buzzing about her invention that could change the way health


Skull of adult and complete embryo of the Early Jurassic period
U of T Scientist Helped Find Ancient Dino Nursery

A study led by a University of Toronto expert offers a glimpse into an ancient dinosaur nursery


Order of Ontario
10 Appointees to the Order of Ontario have Ties to U of T

More than a third of the province’s newest appointees to the Order of Ontario have ties to


tulip-like creature
U of T & ROM Scientists Discover Unusual ‘Tulip’ Creature

Canadian researchers have discovered a bizarre flower-like creature which lived in an ancient sea that covered part


Donald Patriquin
Donald Patriquin Accepted into Stanford Who’s Who

Donald Patriquin has been accepted into the prestigious ranks of Stanford Who’s Who as a result of


Muhammad Lila
Muhammad Lila Joins ABC News

Award-winning Canadian journalist Muhammad Lila joins ABC News as the new Digital Correspondent responsible for Pakistan, Afghanistan and the


Atmospheric researchers (Credit: Pierre Fogal/CANDAC)
U of T’s Dunlap Institute Sends Telescope North

The University of Toronto’s Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics will search for stars and planets with


Paul Martin
Order of Canada Honours Faculty & Alumni

Three University of Toronto faculty members, nine alumni and two additional U of T benefactors have been


Swapna and Sandhya Mylabathula
Making Our National Sport Safer

Swapna and Sandhya Mylabathula have drafted a private members’ bill for Parliament that proposes a national concussion awareness


Aids Researchers
Portable Device Could Ease HIV/AIDS Monitoring

A team led by Rakesh Nayyar; University of Toronto student James Dou; and Stewart Aitchison, Dou’s research


stars
U of T Astronomers Discover Massive Star Cluster

Three University of Toronto astronomers have discovered the largest group of young stars ever observed in our


Dani Reiss
Dani Reiss named Entrepreneur Of The Year

Dani Reiss, chief executive of Canada Goose Inc., was named Ontario 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of


Ed Clark
Ed Clark named Ivey Business Leader of the Year

Following TD’s acquisition of Canada Trust Financial Services in February 2000, where Mr. Clark had been President


Inductees of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
Dr. Angus Bruneau and Sister Elizabeth Davis Inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador

Dr. Bruneau and Sister Davis are two of nine inspiring individuals who have helped shape Newfoundland and


Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui
Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui Inducted into Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

It was a landmark discovery at the time. Now, more than 20 years later, this remarkable moment


Boundless Launch
Largest Fundraising Campaign in Canadian University History

The University of Toronto has unveiled Boundless, the largest fundraising campaign in Canadian university history. With an


earth
Raja Singh Tuli and Suneet Singh Tuli

Two Canadian brothers to bring the Internet to billions of people around the world, from remote farming


Alejandra Bravo
Alejandra Bravo

U of T grad Alejandra Bravo (BA in Latin American studies) is manager of leadership programs at


RogerMartin
U of T Faculty Named in Top 10 Business Thinkers

Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management, and Don Tapscott, a Rotman adjunct professor and


Elena Park
Elena Park

U of T law grad Elena Park (HBA 1994 WDW), who has provided 200 hours a year


Remembrance Ceremony
Nov 11: Service of Remembrance

The university community will gather to remember the faculty, staff, alumni and students who fell in the First


Andromache Karakatsanis and Michael Moldaver
Andromache Karakatsanis and Michael Moldaver

Judge Karakatsanis (BA 1978 Vic) and Judge Moldaver (BA 1968 UC, LLB 1971) have been nominated to


University of Toronto
U of T is Canada’s top university in major global ranking

The University of Toronto is listed as the top Canadian institution in the Times Higher Education (THE)


Canada's Top 100 Employers
U of T one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers

The University of Toronto is listed as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2012, a designation


Jen Rawson
Jen Rawson

(BPhEd 1999, B.Ed 2000) has been appointed the new head coach of the UBC Thunderbirds women’s hockey


David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg

(BA 1967, HonLLD 2001) will be the first Canadian to be awarded with a fellowship from the


Samantha Grant
Samantha Grant

(BA 1994) has been elected as the 37th president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los


Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry

(BA 1982, Honorary Doctor of Letters 1999) has been awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, a


U of T alumnus and NFB pioneer, Tom Daly
NFB pioneer Tom Daly dies at 93

Legendary Canadian film producer Tom Daly (BA 1940 UC) passed away last weekend at age 93.


Hollywood Blvd sign
From T.O. to L.A.

On April 3, 2011, Chancellor David Peterson hosted an elegant affair for U of T alumni living


University College
UC One: Engaging Toronto launches this fall

This fall, University College (UC) launches an exciting new initiative known as UC One: Engaging Toronto with


arwu179
U of T top Canadian school in 2011 Shanghai ranking

The University of Toronto is listed as the top Canadian institution in Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s 2011


Professor Eric Kirzner (photo rotman.utoronto.ca)
Economic woes: Research Q&A with Eric Kirzner

A standoff in the U.S. over the debt ceiling. The possibility of more bailouts in Europe. Markets


Photo from Blue Sky Solar Racing
Design of U of T’s new solar car unveiled

Members of U of T’s famed Blue Sky Solar Racing Team are dusting off their racing gear


Archeologists with a University of Toronto project in Turkey are chuffed about a recent find — a 3,000-year-old lion in full roar. The university says its Tayinat Archeological Project in southeastern Turkey has unearthed the remains of a monumental gate complex. Among the stone sculptures on the gate, it says, is a "magnificently carved lion
Dig in Turkey unearths 3,000-year-old stone lion

U of T archeologists in Turkey are excited about their recent discovery: a 3,000-year-old stone lion in


sunohara179
Vicky Sunohara

(BPHE 2010) has been hired as head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team. Sunohara spent


Brad Griffiths (B.Com 1979 Victoria)
Friends and family of Brad Griffiths

(B.Comm 1979 Victoria) have begun a scholarship in his memory after the Bay Street dealmaker perished in


Flag of Norway
Tragedy in Oslo: Q&A with Prof. Randall Hansen

All eyes are on Norway this week in the aftermath of the bombing and killings by Anders


successful_illu
What makes a successful society? Have your say

The conquest of Egypt by Rome gave access to supplies of papyrus, which became the basis of


Michael J. Herman
Michael J. Herman

The School of Continuing Studies mourns the loss of a much loved and respected instructor. Michael Herman,


Dr. Marilyn Korzekwa (MD 1982) takes to the water for charity
Dr. Marilyn Korzekwa

(MD 1982), the first person to swim Lake Ontario north-to-south (1983) and south-to-north (1984), completed a 34-km


shuttle179
Shuttle Q&A with space engineer Chris Damaren

U of T Research’s Jenny Hall has an interview with spacecraft engineer Chris Damaren of the University


Order of Canada medals
Faculty and alumni named to Order of Canada

Professor Peter Singer, a world leader in health research, and opera singer Mary Lou Fallis are among


convocation179
The National asks new grads: What are your aspirations?

CBC’s The National recently compiled a series of video interview clips asking convocating students what they will


Barbara Dick (BA 1987 UC)
Barbara Dick (BA 1987 UC) named Assistant VP, Alumni Relations

U of T and the Division of University Advancement are pleased to announce the appointment of Barbara


David Naylor
Meeting Global Challenges

Message from David Naylor, President, University of Toronto:
With another successful Spring Reunion now behind us, spring convocations just concluding, and the prospect of summer—finally—ahead, it seems timely to reflect on the past year at the University of Toronto…


David Miller (LLB 1984) photo c/o utsc.utoronto.ca
Former Toronto mayor David Miller

(LLB 1984) will be a “Future of Cities” fellow at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, lecturing and


Sonia and Arthur Labatt
Watch Sonia and Arthur Labatt’s addresses

Sonia Labatt holds a PhD in environmental management from the University of Toronto and is an adjunct


Malcolm Gladwell (BA 1984 Trinity)
Watch Malcolm Gladwell’s Convocation address

The author of international bestsellers such as Outliers , What The Dog Saw, Blink and The Tipping


Rivi Frankle (BA 1968 UC)
Rivi Frankle

(BA 1968 UC), known to many simply as ‘Rivi’, retired last September after working 39 years at


Watch Convocation address by David Dunlap

Distinguished volunteers and philanthropists, the Dunlaps’ significant endowed gifts to establish the Dunlap Institute of Astronomy and


John Paul Morgan (BASc 2001, MASc 2005)
John Paul Morgan

(BASc 2001, MASc 2005) is the founder and chief technology officer of Morgan Solar, a Toronto-based solar


Mari Ruti and her new book, The Case for Falling in Love
Q&A with professor Mari Ruti

The U of T English professor takes on the self-help industry in her new book The Case


Marc & Craig Kielburger
Watch Convocation address by Craig Kielburger

At age 12, Craig Kielburger (right), with his 17-year-old brother Marc (left), founded the charity Free The


New alumni and their families enjoying Convocation Plaza (Photo - Caz Zyvatkauskas , e-Bulletin)
Getting a kick out of Convocation Plaza

The new Convocation Plaza has been a hit with students and their families. Photographer Caz Zyvatkauskas has


Yong Guan Koh (photo c/o U of T Strategic Communications
Watch Koh Yong Guan’s address to Convocation

The high commissioner of Singapore to Canada, Koh Yong Guan is one of the most esteemed public


Judy Barber and Stephen Woollcombe (thestar.com)
Stephen Woollcombe (BA 1961 Trinity) and Judy Barber (BA 1961 Vic)

met in the fall of 1961 while volunteering for CUSO-VSO, the development organization that celebrated its 50th


Paul Martin
Watch Paul Martin’s address to Convocation

Canada’s 21st prime minister graduated from St. Michael’s College and from the university’s Faculty of Law. Paul


John H. Daniels (photo c/o of U of T Strategic Communications)
Watch John H. Daniels’ address to Convocation

Renowned philanthropist and developer John Daniels graduated in 1950 from the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture.


Nursing professor Cindy-Lee Dennis (image c/o bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca)
Q&A with Nursing professor on postpartum depression

Cindy-Lee Dennis, an associate professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, was recently named the Shirley


http://www.utoronto.ca/convocation-2011.htm
Watch Mladen Vranic’s address to Convocation

Professor Emeritus Mladen Vranic was one of the last post-doctoral fellows to work with Dr. Charles Best.


Convocation Hall and welcome banners
New ‘Convocation Plaza’ offers videocast, diploma framing, souvenirs, food

This year’s Convocation ceremonies will benefit from a pilot project created and developed by staff from the


Nandan Nilekani (Photo c/o U of T Strategic Communications)
Watch Nandan Nilekani’s address to Convocation

A leader in Indian social & economic development, Nilekani is co-founder of Infosys Technologies Ltd., a global


John Tory
May 28 – Annual General Meeting with keynote speaker John Tory

Join us Saturday, May 28 for the U of T Alumni Association Annual General Meeting. KEYNOTE SPEAKER:


Spring Reunion 2011 - May 25-29
Go Back to School for the Weekend

Spring Reunion 2011 takes place May 25-29, for graduates in a year ending in 6 or 1.


Malcolm Gladwell (BA 1984 Trinity)
Malcolm Gladwell

(BA 1984 Trinity), one of the world’s most popular writers, will receive an honorary doctorate of letters


Apple box leaf and flowerbuds - photo credit: Benjamint444 under Wikimedia CC license
What makes Spring spring?

Read U of T Research’s Q & A with internationally acclaimed plant biologist (and Vice-Principal, Research at