Advancement Staff

Topic

Division of University Advancement

Diversity and Inclusion

Alumni

Faculty of Music

Subheadline

Inaugural 2023 event raised more than $1.2 million, including funds for new student scholarships and awards, infrastructure, student experience programs and research

Darren Hamilton, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, is on a mission to ensure students from different backgrounds see themselves represented in the curriculum, teaching faculty and university community more broadly.

That’s among the reasons he founded the U of T Faculty of Music Gospel Choir.

The undergraduate credit course explores various forms of gospel music, teaching aural musicianship skills and performance practices – all while providing insights into an element of African American history and culture.

“Equity, diversity and inclusion have always been central to my work as a music educator and researcher,” says Hamilton, who recently completed a PhD in music education at U of T and spent more than 15 years as a music educator in secondary schools.

His work is part of a broader effort by the U of T community to foster a diverse and inclusive environment where students, staff, faculty and librarians of all backgrounds can thrive – including through such supports as the Black and Indigenous Musical Excellence Scholarship.

“[The university] has created space for myself and my colleagues to do [the] practical work required to embrace diversity and foster sustainable change for the future of music curricula,” Hamilton says.

Hamilton is one of several U of T community members who are acting as ambassadors for the university’s upcoming Giving Day event on March 26. First launched last year, the event encourages the global U of T community to come together to support over 90 funds for equity, diversity and inclusive excellence at university – with U of T matching donations made between Feb. 26 and March 26, up to $1,000, dollar-for-dollar, while matching funds last.

Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $1.2 million, including funds for new student scholarships and awards, infrastructure, student experience programs and research.

Other 2024 Giving Day ambassadors include: Andrew Wiebe, a queer Michif scholar, who is researching how to incorporate Indigenous and queer data into digital humanities projects ethically; Safiya Nur, vice-president of the U of T chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance, who is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion; and Jemy Joseph, a physician, speaker and consultant who has advocated for equity, diversity and education.

Darren Hamilton, an assistant professor in U of T’s Faculty of Music, leads the gospel choir (photo by Mike Hwang)

Hamilton says creating pathways for more students to access higher education has a ripple effect throughout the community.

“By supporting funding initiatives that create opportunities for more racialized and marginalized students to become members of the university community, the community benefits from the cultural diversity, and students [can] maintain a sense of belonging while pursuing their academic endeavors.”

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Giving Day

U of T receives $15 million to establish The David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Rotman School of Management

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:29:19 +0000

U of T receives $15 million to establish The David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Rotman School of Management

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 02/29/2024 - 13:29

Topic

Rotman School of Management

Subheadline

The David Feldman Centre will be a catalyst for developing the next generation of skilled real estate professionals

A generous $15-million gift from David and Angela Feldman is propelling the University of Toronto’s expertise in real estate education and knowledge generation to the next level of global excellence.

The David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the Rotman School of Management will equip students with the skills needed to become dynamic real estate professionals who can advise on the complex decisions needed to build, finance and manage capital-intensive real estate projects.

Recognized around the globe for its stability, the sophistication of its architecture and the sustainability of its building practices, Toronto’s market is the ideal environment to launch the next generation of world-class real estate leaders. The David Feldman Centre will deepen both U of T’s and the industry’s global reputation for excellence.

“As cities like Toronto continue to grow, it’s critical that we have experts who are well-prepared to lead the development and management of real estate,” says Meric Gertler, president of the University of Toronto. “David Feldman’s generous and forward-thinking gift will enable U of T to educate the next generation of real estate leaders – and help us make cities more accommodating for all of their residents.”

The Feldmans’ gift comes at a crucial time. As we navigate our recovery from the pandemic, the impact of remote work and the skyrocketing demand for affordable housing, there’s an acute need for expertise on some of the most pressing real estate challenges facing society today. To meet that need, the David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics will embed and strengthen real estate teaching within the MBA and Rotman Commerce programs at the Rotman School. This will help ensure that students have the academic grounding needed to succeed in the real estate industry – and take on challenges like the housing crisis.

The David Feldman Centre will also tackle urgent questions that span the fields of urban economics and real estate – including the economics of cities, real estate development, house price dynamics and more. The centre’s cutting-edge research will help inform how we address pressing economic, environmental and social issues facing our cities.

“As the world’s largest asset class, real estate plays a critical role in our lives and portfolios,” notes Susan Christoffersen, dean of the Rotman School and William A. Downe BMO Chair in Finance. “David Feldman’s visionary investment will reinvigorate real estate education and shape the real estate sector of the future.”

This transformational gift will support that training effort – and spark innovative co-curricular offerings that leverage U of T’s vast array of related disciplines. The David Feldman Centre will combine U of T’s strengths in real estate, urban economics and other adjacent fields to deliver executive training, workshops and public events that prepare students to be exceptional leaders within the industry. Through this, students will gain complementary skills in finance, negotiation, team building, leadership, valuation, investment, sustainability and public and private financing.

This interdisciplinary vision marks the David Feldman Centre as truly unique – and will help foster a dynamic and agile generation of real estate professionals with the expertise needed to reshape the real estate industry and inform policy that improves our cities.

“It’s important to recognize that the issues around housing, offices and real estate in general won’t be solved overnight,” says David Feldman, president, founder and CEO of Camrost Felcorp. “The challenges are often generational in nature. That’s why our family supported the decision to make a purposeful contribution to the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. With its multidisciplinary resources, Rotman will provide a solid foundation for the establishment of the David Feldman Centre. Our family has high expectations for the growth and success of the centre, and we believe that its graduates will possess the skills to lead and implement thoughtful solutions that meet the housing and community needs for today and for future generations.”

David Feldman’s development firm Camrost Felcorp has been in business for almost 50 years and has built many award-winning communities in the Greater Toronto Area, including office and commercial towers, rental and condominium complexes, and public, senior citizen housing and co-operative housing.

“The Feldman family’s gift is a shining example of how mission-driven philanthropists are finding compelling reasons to partner with U of T,” says David Palmer, vice-president, advancement at U of T. “Today’s donation will further define their corporate and personal legacies as city builders. Thanks to their generosity, the David Feldman Centre will be a game-changer for how we train people to think about real estate and shape the future of our city region.”

Ultimately, by cultivating tomorrow’s real estate leaders, the David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics is destined to become one of the world’s leading research and learning establishments for real estate and urban economics.

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David Feldman Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics

Historic gift for African Studies and Caribbean Studies programs at University of Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 18:49:36 +0000

Historic gift for African Studies and Caribbean Studies programs at University of Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 02/27/2024 - 13:49

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(photo by Diana Tyszko)

Topic

Division of University Advancement

Faculty of Arts & Science

New College

A milestone investment in the African Studies Centre and the Centre for Caribbean Studies at the University of Toronto will help attract top experts in the field, energize the next generation of researchers and engage students in advanced scholarship.

The $5-million donation from alumnus Richard Rooney, which will be matched by funds from the Faculty of Arts & Science, will create an endowed professorship at each centre and two prestigious postdoctoral fellowships, energizing the next generation of African Studies and Caribbean Studies scholars.

“We are deeply grateful to Richard Rooney for his visionary gift to the University of Toronto,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “This landmark benefaction will further advance U of T’s leadership in African Studies and Caribbean Studies.”

Melanie Woodin, dean of U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science, said the gift will elevate the centres to new heights as sites of scholarly excellence and transdisciplinary dialogue.

“The research, teaching and collaboration happening at these two centres are indispensable for making sense of the 21st century, providing learners with the tools they need to become engaged citizens, anchored by a rich understanding of the world today,” Woodin said.

Recognized as one of the best undergraduate programs of its kind in North America, the African Studies Centre is a vibrant social and cultural hub of academic excellence, helping students develop a deeper understanding of African societies, cultures and histories through an interdisciplinary lens.

The Centre for Caribbean Studies, meanwhile, brings together academics and learners with shared commitments to Caribbean Studies as an area of interdisciplinary focus for research, teaching, learning and community engagement – and offers the only program in Canada with degrees specifically dedicated to the study of the Caribbean and its people.

Both programs originated at New College, where long-time supporter and volunteer Rooney studied while earning his bachelor of arts degree in 1977.

“The education I received at New College was a springboard for my success,” said Rooney, who is vice-chair and co-founder of Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. “It’s an honour for me to be able to give back to a place that was so pivotal in my life and to support academic programs that can help us imagine a more equitable and just society.”

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U of T constructing Canada’s tallest academic timber building

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:18:33 +0000

U of T constructing Canada’s tallest academic timber building

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/18/2024 - 13:18

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The Academic Wood Tower has started to take shape in the Bloor Street cultural corridor, where it will serve as a beacon for green architecture – and provide high-quality spaces for three of the university’s faculties and schools (Rendering courtesy of Patkau Architects + MJMA)

Topic

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Goldring Centre

Rotman School of Management

Sustainability

The University of Toronto has begun raising a new 14-storey mass timber building that will set a precedent for sustainable design.

Once complete, the tower is expected to be the tallest academic timber structure in Canada and one of the tallest mass timber and steel hybrid buildings in North America.

U of T, which was recently named the world’s most sustainable university by QS World Rankings, is committed to furthering its role as a global model with projects like these.

“This inspiring piece of architecture will provide our students, faculty and staff with state-of-the-art spaces for research, learning and community engagement,” said Meric Gertler, president of the university. “It will stand as a testament to U of T’s global leadership in sustainability, as well as our commitment to city-building. It will also showcase Canada’s leadership in wood construction technologies and the forest products industry. We are very grateful to our donors and to all those helping us to realize this incredibly exciting vision.”

State-of-the-art spaces for three U of T faculties and schools

Located near the intersection of Devonshire Place and Bloor Street on U of T’s St. George campus, the tower will provide high-quality spaces for the Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.

Widely considered one of the world’s most innovative business schools, Rotman is home to a unique ecosystem of labs and research centres that provide cutting-edge thought leadership. The top five floors of the Academic Wood Tower will house Rotman’s specialized executive education programs.

“The Academic Wood Tower will provide ample space to inspire our program’s participants as they work to explore and transform themselves, their organizations and their communities,” said Susan Christoffersen, dean of the Rotman School of Management. “Carefully designed to set a precedent in sustainability, space configuration and educational technologies, the tower will equip researchers and learners with the tools and forward-thinking design to educate the leaders of tomorrow on pressing business topics.”

The Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy is a world-renowned hub for dialogue and debate, highly sought after for its thought leadership on the most pressing issues of our time. It hosts hundreds of high-impact events each year that engage scholars from across U of T and around the world.

“I’m delighted that the Munk School’s faculty and students will be part of the Academic Wood Tower community,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “This new building will provide much-needed space as our experts continue to provide timely research guidance on current events and train tomorrow’s leaders in public policy.”

“We look forward to bringing together students, faculty and other community members in this inspiring space,” added Peter Loewen, professor in the department of political science and director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.

The tower will be directly connected to the Munk School Observatory building and the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, one of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education’s main facilities. The new floors will allow the faculty to continue to expand its work as one of the world’s top-ranked sports science programs of its kind, which includes facilitating the university’s massive slate of co-curricular physical activity and sports programs.

“The Academic Wood Tower will provide critical additional space for our faculty,” said Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. “Its proximity to the Goldring Centre and Varsity Stadium will provide us with a fantastic – and convenient – set of facilities as we continue to support healthy living through our teaching, research and programming.”

A highly watched case study in sustainable design

Even prior to construction, the Academic Wood Tower was attracting significant attention for its innovative design.

Designed by award-winning Canadian firms Patkau Architects and MJMA Architecture & Design with consulting from Blackwell Structural Engineers and Smith+Andersen, the Academic Wood Tower’s unique and sustainable structure has already won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence.

The same team worked on U of T’s Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, which included the tower’s foundation and basement as part of its construction. Now, with the first deliveries of mass-timber components to the site, construction of the Academic Wood Tower is proceeding under the management of industry leader Pomerleau. The university anticipates completing the building in 2026.

The building is expected to serve as a case study for designers and engineers who can analyze this milestone achievement and potentially apply the tower’s best practices to their own projects.

“U of T’s Academic Wood Tower proves that we can reduce emissions, responsibly construct new buildings and contribute to the vibrant architectural fabric of a dense city like Toronto,” said Sandra Hanington, vice-chair of the university’s Governing Council.

Mass timber offers a wealth of structural advantages, including a high degree of fire safety and a low carbon footprint. Wood naturally absorbs carbon, taking it out of the atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gases. It is also one of the only major building materials that is a renewable resource.

Many of the tower’s components can be manufactured prior to their arrival, which means that they can be assembled easily and efficiently once on site, minimizing the level of construction disruption in this busy area of the city.

Working together on a global issue

Funding the tower’s construction has been a collective effort with the federal government and numerous donors all making key contributions to bring this vision to life.

The building has received significant support from the Government of Canada’s Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program, which encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects to help Canada reach its Paris Agreement commitments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Canada is a leader in wood construction technologies and home to one of the largest forest industries in the world. Fittingly, the tower’s timber is homegrown, originating in Western Canada.

“The Government of Canada’s Green Construction through Wood program is supporting more sustainable Canadian materials for the construction industry,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of energy and natural resources. “The University of Toronto’s Academic Wood Tower project is one of many examples of innovative technologies being used to create resilient and low-carbon buildings, while preventing carbon emissions. I congratulate all those involved in this important project.”

“The Academic Wood Tower at U of T is a historic development that symbolizes where we are headed: a cleaner future where Canadian workers sustainably use Canadian materials to build more affordable and sustainable communities,” added Julie Dabrusin, parliamentary secretary to the minister of environment and climate change and to the minister of energy and natural resources. “The Government of Canada is pleased to help get this tower built, right here in Toronto.”

The project’s commitments to sustainability and innovation are an example of the university’s Defy Gravity campaign priorities in action. Donor support has been critical to getting the tower off the ground.

“U of T’s donors make projects of this scale a reality,” said David Palmer, vice-president, university advancement. “Their inspiring commitment has given the world a striking and practical blueprint for building sustainable design – tangibly demonstrating that we can create inviting, cutting-edge research and learning spaces while maintaining our commitment to sustainability.”

Explore related campaign priorities: Create a sustainable future

U of T breaks ground on state-of-the-art building for training health professionals in Scarborough

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 19:23:00 +0000

U of T breaks ground on state-of-the-art building for training health professionals in Scarborough

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:23

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A rendering of the SAMIH building's ground floor (image courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects and MVRDV)

Topic

Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health

David Palmer

Wisdom Tettey

Division of University Advancement

Health

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

A dynamic new facility will house the vital Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health – and help meet an urgent need for health professionals in the Eastern GTA

The University of Toronto has made history, breaking ground on a building that will house a much-needed new medical academy.

The first of its kind in Scarborough, the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) will train physicians, nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals right in the region – to serve the region.

A recent $25-million gift from Orlando Corporation will support the construction of the building. SAMIH itself has received funding as part of the Government of Ontario’s plan to increase the number of health-care workers in the province.

“We are so grateful for the gift from the Orlando Corporation and the investment by the Ford Government, which have led us to this exciting day,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “This state-of-the-art building will enable U of T to cultivate a bold new generation of health leaders who reflect the communities they serve.”

“We expect that the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health will attract many local students from Scarborough and the Eastern GTA,” said Wisdom Tettey, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough. “These talented individuals will play an important role in meeting the health-care needs of under-served communities and helping to advance health equity.”

The purpose-built, five-storey building will occupy 144, 482 square feet and sit at the corner of Military Trail and Morningside Avenue – a prominent gateway to U of T Scarborough, directly across from the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

“This vibrant new hub for health education in Scarborough is critical to increasing access to health care,” said Patricia Houston, interim dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and interim vice-provost, relations with health-care institutions. “It will help provide equitable, integrated and compassionate care in the Eastern GTA – and, ultimately, it will help improve lives across the region.”

To support the vision for this new academy, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and U of T’s Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing will expand their training to U of T Scarborough. Building on the university’s history of educating tens of thousands of health professionals – a legacy that extends back over a century – SAMIH will graduate approximately 40 physicians, approximately 60 physician assistants, 30 nurse practitioners and 40 physical therapists per year. More than 300 new health sciences students will join U of T Scarborough’s campus, further strengthening SAMIH as a key hub for health education in the Eastern GTA. The newly revamped health sciences undergraduate program offers unique placement opportunities and paid co-ops, enabling students to learn in a close-knit campus setting.

This new generation of health-care professionals will help fill a serious gap, with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care having identified Scarborough as an area in high need of physicians. The shortage includes family doctors, as well as other specialists such as child and adult psychiatrists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners and emergency medical physicians.

“Our government is proud to support this historic medical school expansion,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health will build on the investments we’re making to help ensure Scarborough and the Durham Region have the health care workers they need now and into the future.”

The impact on the region will be significant. Projected to open in September 2026, the building will include a clinical psychology clinic; a pharmacy clinic (Discovery Pharmacy) led by faculty and students from U of T’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy; and clinical settings in which nurse practitioner students, under supervision, can provide direct care to the community. The building will also feature an anatomy lab for medical students, two large technology-enhanced active learning (TEAL) classrooms, a 21-bed clinical skills lab and 10 case-based learning instructional labs.

“A dynamic learning space can make all the difference in education – especially when attracting the best and brightest students,” said Anna Kennedy, chair of U of T’s Governing Council. “This building is an example of one such space. We anticipate that many of the students who will fill its hallways will go on to become some of the region’s top health-care professionals.”

Construction began on the site in early fall 2023, with a ground blessing conducted by U of T Scarborough’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives in October. Excavation is anticipated to start in January 2024. The project team includes the construction services company EllisDon and the architecture firms Diamond Schmitt and MVRDV.

The Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health will strengthen connections across numerous hospitals and networks. Its partners will include the Scarborough Health Network, Michael Garron Hospital, Lakeridge Health and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. U of T will build upon existing relationships with local community partners to develop new research and teaching opportunities.

This dynamic hub will bring U of T’s nurse practitioner program to the region. The program is highly sought after for its approach to providing personalized, holistic and high-quality health care to clients and patients across their lifespans.

“This incredible building will help foster a vital pipeline for nurse practitioners,” said Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. “Nurse practitioners play a critical role in the health of communities, and future graduates of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health have the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of people in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA.”

Similarly, the Discovery Pharmacy at SAMIH will provide pharmacy services and interprofessional experiential learning opportunities for students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. It will also help enhance connections with practising pharmacists in health networks in the surrounding area.

“As the scope of practice for pharmacists in Ontario continues to expand, finding new ways to collaborate across health professions is central to redefining health education and how we deliver health care” said Lisa Dolovich, dean of Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

The new building is poised to bring enormous benefits to the region. In addition to enabling the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health to meet the health-care professional shortage by creating a pool of talented graduates, the new facility will help drive innovation and economic growth.

“The Orlando Corporation’s benefaction stands as a model for visionary philanthropy,” said David Palmer, U of T’s vice-president of advancement. “It’s a beacon of extraordinary generosity with the potential to inspire other transformative investments in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA.”

U of T Alumni Reunion to highlight Lesra Martin’s inspiring story

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 25 May 2023 15:51:35 +0000

U of T Alumni Reunion to highlight Lesra Martin’s inspiring story

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 05/25/2023 - 11:51

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(photo by Matthew Sherwood)

Topic

Subheadline

Martin will be the keynote guest in a virtual event on May 31

University of Toronto alumnus Lesra Martin has uplifted scores of people through his book The Power of a Promise – and through the 1999 Hollywood film The Hurricane, which took inspiration from Martin’s own inspiring journey as a teenager.

Now, Martin will be the keynote guest at U of T’s Alumni Reunion on May 31, when he’s scheduled to speak at a virtual alumni event that will give the audience a chance to submit questions.

“I believe we all have, in our DNA, a desire to be the best we can be,” Martin says.

“To make a meaningful, positive impact when and where we can. Like orbs of light, set out on a mutual mission, U of T alumni are achievers, doers, believers and leaders.”

Martin’s journey began in New York City, where he was working to help feed his family at the age of 10. He was offered a chance to go back to school in Canada when he was 15. He began learning to read for the first time, despite his fears that he couldn’t succeed academically.

Martin went on to attend U of T’s Innis College and earned a degree in anthropology in 1988.

His activism was sparked after reading The Sixteenth Round written by former boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. It told the story of how Carter had been wrongfully imprisoned for murder in the 1960s.

Moved by Carter’s story, Martin wrote a letter of support – sparking a friendship with the former boxer. Soon, Martin was convincing his foster family to advocate on Carter’s behalf. Five years of activism later, Carter walked free.

Martin’s story of resilience and perseverance provided a foundation for his career as a lawyer, the making of The Hurricane film, his advocacy for literacy and an invitation to speak at the United Nations.

“I believe that sharing our stories can help shore each other up,” he says.

“When we share our lived experiences, we learn from one another and strengthen our resolve to forge new paths forward.”

Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards honour three luminaries with U of T ties

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:30:48 +0000

Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards honour three luminaries with U of T ties

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 02/03/2023 - 10:30

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Heather Reisman, James C. Temerty and the late Barbara Frum were honoured by Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards for outstanding contributions to literacy, philanthropy and journalism. (photo by George Pimentel/Canada’s Walk of Fame)

Topic

Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society

Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Celebration recently honoured 10 extraordinary Canadians for their contributions to music, television, journalism, athletics, innovation and entrepreneurship – including three with close ties to the University of Toronto.

The most recent inductees and honourees – feted at a Dec. 3, 2022 ceremony – included one of Canada’s most generous philanthropists, James C. (Jim) Temerty, who was introduced as the 2022 National Hero Honouree by U of T President Meric Gertler; Indigo founder and trailblazing benefactor Heather Reisman, who, along with her husband Gerry Schwartz, helped establish U of T’s Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus; and the late Barbara Frum, the iconic CBC broadcaster and U of T alumna.

“The University of Toronto is deeply proud to be associated with tonight’s inductees and honourees, who represent the best of what Canada has to offer the world,” said President Gertler. “We are grateful for their legacy and their friendship, and we hope to live up to the ideals they each represent, including the late Barbara Frum, one of our most illustrious graduates; Heather Reisman, a visionary donor at U of T and Canada’s leading champion for child literacy; and Jim Temerty, whose philanthropy across our university and beyond empowers ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.”

A letter from President Zelenskyy

James Temerty received the National Hero Honour (photo by George Pimentel/Canada’s Walk of Fame)

Jim Temerty was introduced by U of T alumna and founder of War Child Canada, Samantha Nutt, who completed post-graduated medical training at the university. She said, “his contributions have made a tremendous difference to thousands of lives.” Toronto Mayor John Tory, who earned a bachelor’s degree at Trinity College in 1975, also spoke via video of Temerty’s remarkable legacy: “Your generosity, your loyalty, your business sense, and your immense compassion all constitute an example, a role model for everyone in this country.”

President Gertler then joined Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada, Yuliya Kovaliv, onstage to thank Jim Temerty and the Temerty Foundation for years of transformative giving. Their legacy includes a $250-million gift in 2020 to the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and other donations across U of T, Canada and the world – from supporting arts and culture, mental health research and many causes in Ukraine.

In her remarks, Ambassador Kovaliv read a letter from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who heralded Jim Temerty for his “commitment to freedom, independence and democracy” and “tireless effort to strengthen Ukraine’s statehood, to drive positive changes in my country, and to support the people of Ukraine.”

“We all are fighting now and we are writing the new book about the fight for values, fight for democracy,” added Ambassador Kovaliv. “And we are really grateful, James, that you are with us writing this book.”

On receiving the National Hero Honour, Jim Temerty thanked Mayor Tory, President Gertler, Ambassador Kovaliv and President Zelenksyy, using the opportunity to reflect on how Canada has stood – and must continue to stand – “with Ukraine until a just peace” can be achieved.

“Let us not tire in our support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Slava to Canada and Slava Ukraine,” said Temerty.

An icon in child literacy and philanthropy

Heather Reisman was honoured for her contributions to child literacy, business and philanthropy (photo by George Pimentel/Canada’s Walk of Fame)

This year’s celebration saw a friend and leading supporter of U of T, Heather Reisman, inducted into the Walk of Fame for her extraordinary contributions to Canadian child literacy, business and philanthropy. As the founder, chair and CEO of Indigo, Reisman is one of Canada’s strongest advocates for inculcating a love of reading among children and established the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation in 2017 to further this goal.

As a philanthropist, her legacy of giving spans institutions and causes across the country in education, health care and advanced research. Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz established the U of T’s Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, which, when it opens, will be Canada’s leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Reisman and her husband have also generously supported research and education at U of T across several fields and faculties.

Reisman was introduced by Ontario’s first Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei, and one of Canada’s most important writers, U of T alumna Margaret Atwood. Atwood, who earned a bachelor’s degree at Victoria College in 1961 and received an honorary degree from U of T in 1983, spoke about how Reisman “helped to give innumerable children the gift of literacy, the opportunity to find their own special stories, the ones that validate them by mirroring their world back to them.”

“It is within our reach to unleash huge childhood untapped potential,” said Reisman on accepting her induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame, “and in the process transform the social and economic reality of this country forever.”

Broadcast legend and U of T alumna honoured

U of T alumna Barbara Frum was honoured for her legacy as one of Canada’s most insightful journalists and interviewers (photo by George Pimentel/Canada’s Walk of Fame)

Famed CBC broadcaster Barbara Frum, who died in 1992 at age 54, was inducted for her legacy as one of Canada’s most insightful journalists and interviewers. Frum, who graduated from U of T’s University College with a BA in 1959, joined CBC as host of the radio program As it Happens before becoming the host of CBC Television’s The Journal, where she interviewed influential figures such as Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela. She was represented at the celebration by her two children, David Frum and Linda Frum.

Frum was honoured by the former host of CBC TV’s The National, Peter Mansbridge, who received an honorary degree from U of T in 2017. “Her secret was simple,” said Mansbridge. “She listened. She didn’t tell us who we were. She asked us and we told her.” Mansbridge was joined via video by prominent Canadian business journalist Amanda Lang and former host of the CTV National News Lisa LaFlamme, who spoke about how Frum “was the epitome of grilling with grace and always respectful decency. Even in a tough interview, she never lost her cool, even confronted with the dinosaurs of her day.”

“In her mind, the only star was the truth,” said Frum’s son, David, who, along with Linda Frum, accepted Frum’s honour on his mother’s behalf. “And that’s why all these years later, we gather at Canada’s Walk of Fame to award her the star that she would never have taken for herself.”

In Memoriam: John H. Daniels (1926 - 2022)

lanthierj — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:50:40 +0000

In Memoriam: John H. Daniels (1926 - 2022)

lanthierj Fri, 10/28/2022 - 10:50

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The University of Toronto fondly remembers real estate developer John H. Daniels, whose visionary generosity was game-changing for architecture education in Canada. (photo by Al Gilbert, C.M.)

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John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

The University of Toronto community is mourning John H. Daniels, the visionary architect, real estate developer and philanthropist who passed away on Oct. 22, 2022 at age 96.

A U of T alumnus who earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1950 and received an honorary degree in 2011, Daniels' lifelong generosity helped Toronto’s students and citizens alike – he built the iconic Toronto Eaton Centre, set in motion groundbreaking projects to make housing more affordable and catalyzed a game-changing revolution in Canadian architecture education.

Daniels and his wife Myrna Daniels have given more than $30 million to U of T. These gifts helped the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design to build a new, innovative foundation in undergraduate education, raise the ceiling of scholarship with a PhD program, amalgamate U of T’s programs in visual studies and forestry, quadruple enrolment, raise its global profile and create a new home in the award-winning Daniels Building.

“John H. Daniels was a vital member of the University of Toronto family,” says U of T President Meric Gertler. “A celebrated innovator in urban development, John was guided by a strong social conscience rooted in his own experience as an immigrant to this country.

“John and Myrna’s incredible generosity propelled the University to become a major international hub for architecture and design, both through transforming the spectacular Daniels Building and through their unstinting support for talented undergraduate and graduate students. We will miss him greatly. I offer sincere condolences to Myrna, to his colleagues at The Daniels Corporation, and to his and Myrna’s families.”

John H. Daniels rose to success through championing accessibility and removing barriers to home ownership

Daniels was born in Poland and immigrated to Canada in 1939 when he was 12 years old. He saw his new country as a refuge, a welcoming place of opportunity and a beacon of diversity. As a high school valedictorian in 1944, he wrote: “Canada will be a home for many millions of peoples and many different races and creeds. Let us realize we are all Canadians and pride ourselves with more community consciousness. We shall put away all our selfish desires and work together to establish a model country for all the world.” These ideals were to inform all his later career as an advocate for equality and a champion of Canada.

In 1949, while a student at U of T’s faculty of architecture, Daniels made his first foray into real estate development by founding Modern Age Construction. Though intended as a summer building project to help raise some tuition money, the project showed the young entrepreneur his way forward. He went on to become CEO of the Cadillac Fairview Development Corporation, where he helped build Toronto’s Eaton Centre and the Erin Mills community in Mississauga.

In 1983, Daniels left Cadillac Fairview to start The Daniels Corporation, a company that would quickly become synonymous with vibrant communities, affordable housing, social infrastructure and architectural innovation. Responsible for countless Canadian residential development projects, The Daniels Corporation also worked closely with government to develop thousands of non-profit rental units and founded the FirstHome communities to lower market barriers for first-time homebuyers.

The company was also instrumental in revitalizing the Regent Park neighbourhood, transforming it from a failed public housing estate to a vital, growing community at the centre of Toronto. John and Myrna were also early investors in the Toronto International Film Festival, supporting the iconic and fully accessible Bell Lightbox Theatre.

Through three major gifts to U of T, John H. Daniels created countless opportunities for architecture and design students

John Daniels’ personal success inspired him to give back to his alma mater. In 2008, he and his wife Myrna made a generous $14-million gift to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, ensuring that gifted students would have access to critical financial aid. The John and Myrna Daniels Scholars endowment has provided 287 individual awards to 128 students so far, with a preference to those who may be the first in their family to pursue a post-secondary education. “Education is the foundation of so much of what I have been able to accomplish,” he told the Globe and Mail at the time.

Just five years later, the couple gave a further $10 million to build a remarkable new home for the Daniels Faculty in the Daniels Building at 1 Spadina Crescent. The project revitalized a landmark 19th-century site, combining with the heritage building to create 155,000 square feet of inspiring studio spaces, an innovative fabrication lab, a green roof laboratory, lecture halls and exhibition galleries, and an expansive atrium.

The Daniels Building has been written about widely, garnered critical praise and won 30 local and international prizes and awards – a matter of great pride to Daniels. This record of distinction, along with the Daniels Faculty’s growing reputation and stellar faculty, has attracted exceptional students to the school’s undergraduate, professional and PhD programs. These include architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, art/visual studies and, more recently, forestry.

Many of those students received generous scholarship support, always at the heart of the couple’s giving. In 2018, an additional $6-million gift from their foundation created the endowed John and Myrna Daniels Foundation Opportunity Awards.

John H. Daniels was a visionary who helped build a better future

“John Daniels leaves behind an incredible legacy,” says Juan Du, dean of the Daniels Faculty. “In addition to establishing one of the most influential and civic-minded companies in Canada, responsible for landmark projects in Toronto’s city core and beyond, he has contributed through his vision and generosity to the education of generations of architects, landscape architects, artists and scientists at the Faculty. His insistence on excellence and his support for advanced education will continue to inspire all of us for years to come.”

“John was a ‘city-builder’ long before the phrase became popular,” adds Richard Sommer, former dean of the Daniels Faculty and Director of the Global Cities Institute. “He had a humility that could belie the sharpness of his intellect, his uncompromising will to excel, and his array of accomplishments. We will miss him, but take solace in remembering what a long and inspiring life he led.”

“In a way, John Daniels never left his alma mater,” says David Palmer, U of T’s vice-president, advancement. “His giving at U of T was strongly tied to a desire for future generations of students to enjoy the education he had, to make Canada a global leader, and to share in his vision for sustainable, innovative architecture that is accessible to all. For that, we will be forever grateful.”

Listen to John H. Daniels’ speech to graduating students at the 2011 U of T convocation.

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