The
RootThe UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE • Spring 2013
Making a Difference UTS alumni – including Charles Catto ’46, David Morley ’73, and Layusa Isa-Odidi ’05 – are working to make this world a better place. Bob Lord ’58 retires; Jim Fleck ’49 appointed new Chair.
Alumni News • Crawford and Hall of Fame Awards • Annual Alumni dinner UTSAA Mark Your Calendars Board of Directors
Thursday, May 9, 2013 President Ottawa Branch Event John B.A. Wilkinson ’78 5:30 p.m. [email protected] RSVP at www.utschools.ca/rsvp or 416-978-3919 Vice President Mark Opashinov ’88 Art and Music Nights [email protected] Friday, April 26, 2013 Past President 5:30 p.m.: Annual Art Exhibition and Opening Reception Peter Neilson ’71 6:30 p.m.: Junior Music Night [email protected] Treasurer Friday, May 3, 2013 Bob Cumming ’65 5:30 p.m.: Annual Art Exhibition and Closing Reception [email protected] 6:30 p.m.: Senior Music Night Secretary 9:30 p.m.: Senior Café Bleu Nina Coutinho ’04 For more information, contact Judy Kay (music) at [email protected] or [email protected] 416-978-6802 or Charlie Pullen (art) [email protected] Honorary President Rosemary Evans Wednesday, May 29, 2013 [email protected] UTSAA Annual General Meeting Honorary 6:00 p.m. in the UTS Library Vice-President Contact: [email protected] Heather Henricks [email protected] Wednesday, June 19, 2013 Directors UTSAA Golf Tournament Don Ainslie ’84 Join us at St. Andrew’s Valley for our 18th Annual Tournament. [email protected] Tee-offs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sharon Au ’08 RSVP at www. utschools.ca/rsvp or call 416-978-3919 for more information. [email protected] Jonathan Bitidis ’99 Saturday, October 19, 2013 [email protected] Annual Alumni Dinner and Awards Jonathan Bright ’04 Registration Anniversary Year Celebrations 1933, 1938, 1943, now open! [email protected] 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, Aaron Chan ’94 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 [email protected] All years are welcome! George V. Crawford ’72 Special celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Co-Education at UTS! [email protected] UTS Hall of Fame Inductees will be honoured. The fifth H.J. Crawford Award will be presented and the recipient honoured. Guests will also have an opportunity Aaron Dantowitz ’91 to visit the UTS Open House during the day. More information TBA. [email protected] Location: Marriott Yorkville Robert Duncan ’95 5:30 p.m.: Reception, 6:30 p.m.: Awards Ceremony and Dinner [email protected] Registration now open: www.utschools.ca/rsvp, or email [email protected], Peter Frost ’63 or call 416-978-3919. [email protected] Penny Harbin ’78 Visit the website regularly for updates: www.utschools.ca/alumni or call [email protected] 416-978-3919 Oliver Jerschow ’92 [email protected] Jennifer Suess ’94 [email protected] Philip Weiner ’01 [email protected] Contents 22 Victor Yeung Mark Your Calendars 2 Making a Difference Bits & Pieces 4 Many UTS alumni are working with Not-for-Profit and Non-Governmental Organizations on local, national, and President’s Report 8 global stages to make this world a better place. Here are Principal’s Report 9 a few of their stories – including interviews with Charles Catto ’46, David Morley ’73, and Layusa Isa-Odidi ’05...... 12 UTS Board Report 10 Advancement Report 11 Alumni News Crawford Award and Hall of Fame 21 All the latest in the lives of your classmates, including Annual Alumni Dinner 22 In Memoriam and tributes to the lives of five distinguished alumni...... 24
Above: Reception entertainment at the Annual Alumni Dinner was provided by the UTS Jazz Trio: musicians Thomas Broadley, Trevor Clokie, and Alexander Levy with vocalist Lucinda Qu (all Class of 2013). On the cover: Charles Catto ’46 and David Morley ’73; photograph: Jamie Day Fleck. (Inset: Layusa Isa-Odidi ’05) Our thanks to this issue’s contributors: Derek Bate ’44, Don Borthwick ’54, Ted Cross ’43, Nina Coutinho ’04, Martha Drake, Rosemary Evans, Christopher Federico ’91, Jim Fleck ’49, Meg O’Mahony, Charlie Pullen, Jane Rimmer, Diana Shepherd ’80, John Wilkinson ’78, and Carole Zamroutian. Special thanks to our new proofreader: retired UTS principal Don Gutteridge Looking Back background: © iStockphoto.com/Peter Zelei Editor: Diana Shepherd ’80 University of Toronto Schools Alumni Association F TORON O TO Y Design: PageWave Graphics Inc. IT S 371 Bloor Street West, Room 121, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R7 S C H R E O Phone: 416-978-3919 Fax: 416-971-2354 Printed in Canada by Colour Systems Inc. V O
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E S L U U Published spring and fall, The Root is available to all alumni, parents and friends of UTS. T M A AR R Contact us at the above addresses to receive a copy or to change your address. BOR ITA The issue is also available at: www.utschools.ca/root Bits & Pieces A Compendium of Noteworthy UTS Tidbits
Bob Lord Steps Down from a department within OISE to an “Bob never forgets to remind Stan and after 14 Years affiliate of the University of Toronto and me of this time,” says Don. “Little did any Words cannot do justice to the an independent legal entity. Throughout one of us know the journey ahead, but contributions that Bob Lord ’58 has his tenure, Bob has provided remarkable we certainly made the right choice.” made to UTS: he exemplifies the stewardship as UTS achieved a As a UTS student, Bob played both values of the school through his governance structure, financial football and hockey; during his early commitment to scholarship, athletics, independence, a strategic plan, and the years, he could always be counted volunteerism, respect, and leadership. resultant stability to solidify our future. on to be in the stands for the hockey As Chair of the Development Steering Bob often harkens back to the “Firsts” games. His classmates remember Committee (1999); Vice-Chair, Building office visitDon Borthwick ’54 and him for his sense of humour, and in Opportunities Campaign (2000/2001); retired principal, Stan Pearl, made in particular his hilarious imitations. Upon Chair, Interim UTS Board (2001-2004); 1999 to request his acceptance of the graduation from UTS, he received the and Chair, UTS Board of Directors (2004- Development Committee Chair – a time second George and Elizabeth Rutherford 13), Bob’s contributions have been truly when UTS was attempting to migrate Scholarship at Victoria College. outstanding. He will be remembered from its “Preserving the Opportunity” Through his years of volunteer for successfully leading UTS through bursary campaign success to an ongoing involvement at the school, Bob was the intricate and challenging transition Development/Advancement operation. able to establish positive relationships with alumni, parents, students, staff, and friends of the school. Don noted that one of Bob’s great strengths was his ability to coalesce many diverging opinions and move the issue ahead to a satisfactory conclusion. He has spent countless hours as a UTS advocate and advisor, and this passion for UTS has influenced many others to support the school. Bob has earned much success and respect in his professional life: as a Chartered Accountant who served as the Vice-Chair of Ernst & Young, as the Chair of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada, and as a Director of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. Bob also served on the boards of several public and private corporations and has participated in many advancement efforts for the University of Toronto and his alma mater, Victoria University. In all spheres, Bob is recognized and appreciated as an advisor and for his socially responsible global citizenship – the core of the UTS vision today. These attributes were recognized in 2010 when Bob Lord, with his wife Patricia, and granddaughter Zoë at UTS this winter, in front of a display he was the second recipient of the Henry chronicling Bob’s accomplishments. Job Crawford award. n
4 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Victor Yeung Paul Moore with Principal Rosemary Evans and UTS teacher (and veteran) Christopher Federico ’91.
Coming Face-to-Face the 21st-century traveller to his or her At the ceremony, UTS recognized with the Past intended destination. one of our most experienced time- Memory, we know, is an extremely That’s a problem, of course, because travellers – one who has shared his personal thing. So in some respects it is a much as we might wish to partition off journeys with the school for nearly bit peculiar to put 700 students, teachers, the unpleasant events of the past, we 25 years and who, despite having and alumni all together in one room know that outside of school one can’t officially retired long ago, remains every Remembrance Day and ask them just drop history if one doesn’t like the dedicated to illuminating UTS history. to collectively remember something results. So to remember thoughtfully, we Thanks to the leadership and inspiration that happened to other people long ago must do a better job of unravelling that provided by Dr. Paul Moore, the online and far away. Of course 90 years ago, ball of “wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey Commemoration Project allows us to when Canadians first began observing stuff” [Ed. quoted from the long-running come face-to-face with the UTS veterans Remembrance Day, it was very British TV series, Doctor Who] we call of WW1 – and we shall soon be able to different. The Great War loomed large history. What if, for example, instead of do the same for our veterans of WW2. in everyone’s memory, and those merely filing past those bronze plaques, (To see the Commemoration Project who gathered did so to acknowledge we could stop and have a conversation go to www.utschools.ca and select the and reflect upon a deeply personal with just one of those veterans? Over “WW1” button.) yet shared experience. To ensure this the years, we have tried to do just that As the global wars of the past recede experience was never forgotten, they by including the voice of a UTS veteran further from our personal memory, it built us a time machine of sorts. Once in our program. In 2012, we were will demand a greater effort each year the state of the art in time travel, this privileged to have John McIntyre ’37 to ensure that the ceremony remains machine may seem a bit of a jalopy now, in attendance. He shared with us his meaningful to new generations of cobbled together as it is out of bronze personal recollections of WW2 via a pre- faculty, staff, students, and alumni; plaques and bugle music and snippets recorded video interview, reminding us UTS is extremely grateful to all those of poetry. Although it still puts out a that the conflicts we know only through to work each year to continue to make lot of power, we may need to tinker a books and films were very real to our it so. n little with the mechanics if it is to get predecessors at UTS. – Christopher Federico ’91, UTS teacher
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 5 UN COP 18 From Here to Qatar (and Virtually Everywhere Else) In November, ten M4-S6 (Grades 9-12) students participated in the UN Climate Change Conference: COP18 Under- 18 National Virtual Conferencing and Summit. The UTS team was selected as one of only six school teams from across Canada (NW Territories, Quebec, BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba) along with schools in India and Thailand. The project, masterminded by Terry Godwaldt, the Director of Programming at the Alberta Virtual Classroom Centre for Global Education, made brilliant use of technology. Participants were able to interact and dialogue with each other via video-conferencing and Skype conversations, as well as discussion blogs. The debate addressed the moral role of developed nations in supporting developing nations while also decreasing their own carbon footprints. The students spent six weeks preparing intensively for the program, which included a Virtual Town Hall convened across Canada on November 14. For UTS, the day began with a workshop facilitated by Azra Shivji ’08, who is currently studying for a Masters in Global Health at McMaster. Azra – who attended COP13 in Bali, Indonesia, courtesy of the British Council – shared insights on the political and social processes of UN meetings. The day also included virtual keynote speeches from Canadian Liberal Senator Grant Mitchell and Dr. Eric Newell, Chancellor of the University of Alberta. This full-day national video-conference summit allowed these students to collaborate in the writing of a White Paper on Climate Change on behalf of the youth of Canada. The paper was later presented to Senator Mitchell and then taken to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar by a youth delegation that presented it on behalf of the youth of Canada. n – Meg O’Mahony, UTS teacher
Students in the UTS library participating in the COP-18 video-conference.
6 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Interdisciplinary Arts Day might consider herself to be a cellist, place for growth – growth into the other Jim McGrath is a musician who an actor, or a photographer, A3+ Day arts and perhaps beyond, into other draws on his understanding of film, sought to encourage how experiences academic and personal interests. n psychology, and storytelling in his work with any art form can serve as a starting – Charlie Pullen, UTS teacher as a film composer. Elysha Poirier is a visual artist whose work is created live in a performance choreographed in collaboration with dancers and musicians. In order to help UTS students develop into the life-long “learners, communicators [and] creative artists” that the UTS Mission Statement celebrates, they need to have an authentic understanding of how contemporary artists, like McGrath and Poirier, create their work – and how many contemporary artists seek productive connections with a variety of disciplines. With this goal in mind, this year the Expressive Arts Department launched A3+ Day: “All Three” UTS arts disciplines (music, drama, and visual arts) “Plus” connections beyond. Schools typically “silo” the arts: a focus that allows for more time to develop discipline-specific skills. However, by compartmentalizing, schools risk fragmenting vision and curtailing creativity. A3+ Day sought to explore the following question: “What creative potential exists in the often-overlooked spaces between the boundaries of artistic disciplines?” The day focused on a series of performances and presentations from a slate of contemporary artists who seek out these overlooked spaces for inspiration and innovation. Along with McGrath and Poirier, students met with: dancer/choreographer Andrea Nann, who is the Artistic Director of Dreamwalker Dance; lighting designer David Duclos; dancer Brendan Wyatt; short-filmmaker Randall Okita; and interactive installation artists Thom Sokoloski and Jenny-Anne McCowan. F2 (Grade 8) students were selected to participate since they are uniquely situated to take advantage of this experience in preparation for the relatively wide-ranging arts choices the Ontario curriculum allows them in Top: F2 students investigating sculptural shapes in a movement class during A3+ Day. Grades 9 and 10. So, while an F2 student Below: Dancers Andrea Nann and Brendan Wyatt perform on the UTS stage.
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 7 President’s Report
Spring into Action! Spring represents renewal: a time to launch into a new phase, into new opportunities.
At UTS, spring is an exciting time as teachers consideration? You’ll get so much more out of and students realize all they have accomplished your involvement than you could imagine. to date during the school year – and build on their experiences and successes as they enter But how do you get involved? There are many the “home stretch”. For your Alumni Association, ways that you can connect with your UTSAA and spring 2013 is a time to build on our rejuvenated UTS itself, including: base so as to serve you and our alma mater with even more vigour and ideas than ever. Here are • Arrange a visit to the school. Our energetic some examples: and engaging Principal Rosemary Evans and her staff will welcome you with tales of the latest • UTSAA is reaching out. Through meetings, student-led success or faculty-inspired initiative. John Wilkinson, ’78 presentations, and (coming soon) surveys, • Place a call to the UTS Office of President, UTSAA we’re reaching out to UTS stakeholders (alumni, Advancement (416-946-0097). Our enthusiastic current students, faculty, parents, the UTS and efficient Executive Director Martha Drake Board, and the UTS Foundation) so that we will explain all that the UTSAA can do for you understand their mandates and priorities – and all that you can do for the School! and so that we can continue to maintain the • Surf the UTSAA’s section of the UTS Association and to innovate in a manner that is website (www.utschools.ca/alumni) where responsive to all those groups. you can peruse recent events and upcoming • UTSAA is organizing. From the introduction opportunities, honour your favourite alumni by of a novel way to distribute funds from nominating them as Notable Alumni, or finally the H. Donald Borthwick Student Fund; to get your friends together to play some ball by organizing traditional events (the basketball renting gym space. Please check out the site tournament, the Alumni hockey game, and and see all it has to offer! the golf tournament to name the more athletic • Organize an event to reconnect with endeavours); to brainstorming new events to classmates. The Office of Advancement will cater to the changing Alumni profile. help! There is no need to wait for a special year – just use the phone, email or social media and make it happen. For example, recently Spring 2013 is a time to build on our dozens of local alumni from a ’70s class gathered at a Toronto home for no reason other rejuvenated base so as to serve than to reconnect – and from all accounts, the you and our alma mater with even informal event was a great success.
more vigour and ideas than ever. From attending a UTSAA event; to volunteering and making a School event even better; to arranging a get-together for a few friends, a school • UTSAA is welcoming. There are numerous team, or a whole class – I encourage you to spring committees on which you can participate and into action so that you are part of UTS’ future by many events in which you can participate. Why connecting again with the present version of your not think up a new Alumni activity for UTSAA’s past. Carpe diem! n
8 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Principal’s Report
Equity and Diversity UTS students learn to appreciate and respect multiple perspectives.
This issue of The Root focuses on alumni who implementing a supplementary bursary program have made a significant difference to others to provide these students with additional funds to through their commitment to equity and social ensure that they can participate fully in our justice. At UTS, our students consistently impress curricular and co-curricular program. We believe me with their dedication to righting wrongs. It this will result in equity of access to the full is impossible to capture the full extent of that UTS experience. commitment, but a story about one student will We are building on our current Equity perhaps prove illustrative of the thoughtfulness, Framework to develop an Equity Policy. We empathy, and creativity evident in so many of are providing professional learning to all staff our students. to enhance their skills and understanding in Last summer, one of our F1 (Grade 7) students this complex domain; and special training Rosemary Evans invited me to a lemonade stand he and his and support to students to allow them both Principal, UTS brother had set up to raise funds for War Child, to recognize inequities that limit access and a Canadian NGO. Kieran and Alastair also made to build an inclusive school community. In bookmarks, T-shirts, and fridge magnets; over addition, we are examining our curriculum to three days, they raised $3,021. In September, the ensure that all students can see themselves in boys were presented with War Child’s Fundraiser our program – including their unique personal of the Year Award. In speaking to Kieran, it attributes related to such characteristics as was clear to me that he was motivated by his ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and class. commitment to improving the lot of children We also want to ensure that multiple view-points whose lives have been devastated by war. and opportunities for critical and creative thinking Social responsibility as exemplified by Kieran are actively included in the UTS classroom. is articulated in the UTS Vision statement. Furthermore, our Strategic Plan states that: Our school welcomes – in fact actively “UTS recognizes its responsibility to students, employees and families to sustain the primacy of recruits – a diverse student body. equity, diversity and social justice”. It is important to recognize the responsibilities that accompany A commitment to diversity and equity often this direction, which guides a number of initiatives results in a drive to take action to enhance at the school. social justice. Like Kieran, many UTS students Our school welcomes – in fact actively recruits – and staff extend their learning beyond the a diverse student body, representing a wide range classroom – becoming advocates for change of cultural, racial, linguistic, and faith traditions, and working in partnership with others to make along with a variety of personal interests and a difference. This year has seen many such passions. The result is a rich community where initiatives related to climate change, transit reform, students learn to respect multiple perspectives, homelessness, and food scarcity to name only to question their assumptions, test their values, a few. A quick review of our Facebook page and appreciate others. Our students are admitted (www.facebook.com/utschools), or the “News and on the basis of merit, and the school continues Events“ pages on our website (www.utschools. to strive to provide needs-based funding to those ca), provides many examples of the vibrancy and who gain admittance and qualify for financial richness of the UTS experience and, in particular, support. To complement these efforts, we are the commitment to equity and social justice. n
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 9 UTS Board Report
Leadership and Accessibility The Board intends to support UTS in its role as an exemplary school in the province.
This article represents my first opportunity as Access is critical to differentiating UTS from other Chair of the UTS Board of Directors to outline private schools and, more importantly, to shaping the current priorities facing the Board. These the UTS students of the future. Appreciation of
Jamie Day Fleck initiatives are all aimed at securing the future of diversity – and the reality of living and learning the school to ensure that UTS can continue to within a diverse community that challenges nurture academically able students to flourish and privilege – must continue to shape the school. to make significant contributions on the local, The board is also working to expand UTS’ national, and global stages. leadership role as an institute with a long tradition When I attended UTS in the late 1940s, as a model school. UTS has an unparalleled tuition was $50 per year. Funded by the Ontario reputation for assisting students to make a Government, UTS acted as a model school within successful transition to university, and in many Jim Fleck ’49 the Ontario College of Education. Generally cases to enter university with advanced standing. Board Chair, UTS speaking, the cost of tuition was not an issue Furthermore, UTS has several partnerships with for most students; the major factors limiting university faculties and divisions to develop and access were knowledge of the school and the deliver joint innovative programs. These include local transportation system. Like many of today’s the Global Ideas Institute offered in partnership students, I commuted, travelling almost three with the Asian Institute at the Munk School of hours daily to and from my home in Oshawa; Global Affairs; the i-Think Program with the within reason, distance and travel time do not Rotman School of Management; Maximum City create insurmountable barriers to attendance. with the Daniels School of Architecture; and a The board intends to support UTS in its role number of other initiatives with OISE – including a as an exemplary school in the province – if project with Professor Jim Slotta, Canada Research not beyond – and to help make the school Chair, who is focussing on technologically more accessible. These two goals are of course enriched environments for the teaching of inquiry- complicated by the challenges of securing a site based science. Today’s students need to develop for the future. the mindset to become innovators, and UTS is a Our new Access Committee is investigating school with demonstrated success in this area. ways to increase admission of students from Finally, our relationship with UofT and the across the socio-economic spectrum – exploring securing of a new site continue to be priorities avenues that will supplement the bursary funds. for the Board. Our Site Search Committee has developed a short-list of approximately eight UTS Board of Directors sites that we are currently investigating. We are in monthly contact with UofT, and we are pleased to Chair: Jim Fleck ’49 Michelle Hull, Parent report that University leadership has articulated Vice Chair: John Duffy ’81, Parent Prabhat Jha, Parent that they are open to working with us to help UTS Secretary: F. David Rounthwaite ’65 Peter Neilson ‘71 secure a new home. Nasir Noormohamed, Parent Treasurer: Andrew Dalglish, Parent In my short tenure on the board, I have been Susan Opler ’79, Parent Directors: extremely impressed by the dedication of all David Allan ’78 Donald Schmitt ’70 board members. Despite being volunteers with Jim Gracie, Parent www.utschools.ca/discoveruts/ busy lives, our members devote many hours to Andre Hidi ’77 utsboard UTS, and I am honoured to be working with such an accomplished and committed team. n
10 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Advancement Report
A Special Community Ensure that future generations of students will be able to access this special school.
“UTS is a special place and a special community. for bursary support. This gift was decades in the One of the reasons for this is because of its making and is a beautiful example of the tradition traditions, which are upheld by its donors of support addressed by Ilana. including alumni and their families. Donations Another example of generosity has come from for scholarships and awards provide important our parent community. The new joint fundraising support for future generations of UTS students venture between the UTS Parents’ Association by recognizing and rewarding those students (UTSPA) and the school has provided immediate who excel.” benefits to the school in many ways. I wish to These words were spoken by Ilana Tavshunsky express my appreciation to the association for ’12 to the UTSAA Board of Directors as part of a taking a leap of faith in redesigning the UTSPA speech to express appreciation on behalf of her Annual Campaign. This year, parents have class to the UTSAA directors for their support of the opportunity to support UTS both through Martha Drake the graduating class. Ilana’s words inspired me UTSPA and also directly through the school. The Executive Director, Advancement because they ring true. They capture evidence response from parents has been tremendous of support that I have encountered this year and and consequently, more UTS students are being for that reason, I wanted to share her message supported this year through the removal of with you. financial barriers that would otherwise exist. In 2007, UTS received notice of a bequest from Thank you! the estate of Olwen Owen Walker. It took a bit My final tale is about the support that alumni of research to figure out the connection to UTS have provided though their leadership at the and the reason for this gift, which came from out school. The Branching Out mentoring program of the blue. Long before “planned giving” was a has grown from 24 alumni-student partnerships topic to be studied in college or bandied about to 36. In addition, alumni have returned to the on charity websites, James Walker ’24 made his school to speak on panel discussions, in career planned gift to UTS in the form of a charitable classes, and have provided insight that is shaping bequest, to be dispersed upon the death of his our plans for the future. wife, Olwen. James passed away in 1995, Olwen Ilana is right: UTS is a special place and a in 2007. The final disbursement was received this special community. And it will remain that way year and has provided almost $500,000 to UTS because of you. n
Make a difference today for tomorrow’s students... If you would like to designate a specific bequest to UTS or receive information on planned giving, please contact: Martha Drake, Executive Director, Advancement at 416-946-0097, or [email protected]. ...and leave your mark on UTS’ future!
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 11 Making a Difference Many UTS alumni are working with Not-for-Profit and Non-Governmental Organizations on local, national, and global stages to make this world a better place. Here are a few of their stories.
By Diana Shepherd ’80
hat inspires people to work or volunteer at a Not-for-Profit or Non-Governmental WOrganization? Many of these jobs require extraordinary dedication and a passionate belief that the organization’s work is vitally necessary. Whether that work is raising funds to ensure (or create) access to food, education, healthcare, housing, or the Arts, the alumni featured in this article are all connected by their belief in and commitment to that work. We have chosen to highlight three generations representing a long tradition of UTS alumni’s commitment to public service: Charles Catto ’46, David Morley ’73, and Layusa Isa-Odidi ’05. (Make sure to keep reading after the interviews for more inspiring stories about alumni working in this sector!) “Not all of us can do great things,” said Mother Teresa. “But we can do small things FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Charles Catto ’46, with great love… Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.” Read on to Layusa Isa-Odidi ’05, David Morley ’73 discover how some of your fellow alumni are turning their love into action and making Above: portraits of Charles Catto and David Morley by Jamie Day Fleck. Globe image: @ iStockphoto.com/Jan Rysavy this world a better place for us all.
12 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Standing Tree to Standing Home
Reverend Dr. Charles Catto ’46 is the founder of Frontiers Foundation, the oldest registered indigenous charitable organization in Canada. Since 1964, their “Operation Beaver” program has built or renovated 2,600 homes, 32 community centres, four schools, and three parks using 4,000 volunteers from more than 70 nations. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1979 for his work with Operation Beaver, work he continues to do to this day.
What was the path that led you to found DS Operation Beaver (later incorporated as the Frontiers Foundation)? After eight years at UofT, I became an CC ordained United Church of Canada Reverend in 1954. I ministered with Cree First Nation from ’54 to ’57, then with the Bemba in On February 1, Governor General David Johnston presented Charles Catto ’46 with the Royal Zambia from ’57 to ’62. While in Zambia, my wife Architectural Institute of Canada Medal for “Kitcisakik” (Quebec Algonquin Project). Barbara and I developed non-racial and non- denominational YWCA and YMCA programming. Lend us your sawmills and we’ll harvest the trees After returning to Canada in ’62, we started work and make the lumber for the buildings.” Over 15 The beaver is our on our first building project: an Anglican church years we completed 46 homes – some brand-new, national animal, in Split Lake, Manitoba. In 1968, I became the some serious renovations – using local resources: full‑time executive director of Operation Beaver. I “Standing Tree to Standing Home”. If Mr. Harper and in many ways felt led into this special Ministry, with the blessing and Mr. McKay would just give us part of the it symbolizes the of the United Church at all levels. $200,000,000 they’re spending on one F-35, we could solve the whole Native housing crisis! activity we’re DS What does “Standing Tree to Standing involved in: Home” mean? DS Your organization is sometimes CC In Batchawana Bay, which is about compared with Habitat for Humanity… beavers work 25 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, there’s We started long before Habitat for together to gather a settlement that’s divided into two sections, CC Humanity, which brings masses of Status Ojibways on the reserve and off-reserve volunteers in for a week and completes a their food and Ojibways and Métis. Neither group was blessed project. We have a much smaller number of build their homes. with satisfactory housing, but the off-reserve was volunteers, who stay for six months to a year truly deplorable. We were aware of the problems, to complete a project. Our main program is still but we were never flush with money. John Evans called “Operation Beaver”. The beaver is our ’46 was Chairman of TorStar at the time, and I national animal, and in many ways it symbolizes casually mentioned to him that it was a shame the activity we’re involved in: beavers work that all the bad news gets all the media coverage together to gather their food and build their rather than good news – like the work Operation homes. They’re good little critters: they mate for Beaver was doing. A few days later, the Toronto life and they don’t fight unless they’re extremely Star sent a reporter up to Batchawana Bay and we provoked. It’s not just house-building: we also got a full page of coverage with pictures. The day have education programs with volunteer teachers the article appeared, a Toronto lawyer called to in the Arctic. For 20 years now we’ve had splendid pledge $100,000 from the legal eagles of Toronto. young people go up there and rescue kids who He really delivered: over the years, he raised would otherwise end up as welfare statistics. more than $200,000, with the last chunk coming Some families are nomadic, and the kids don’t from the Advocates Society of Ontario. Then Olaf manage to stay in the regular school system; our Bjornaa, a Métis living off-reserve, said: “You have volunteers have helped these kids catch up with portable sawmills, and we have spruce and pine. their Three Rs.
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 13 I hear you’re an honorary chief of the Finding Hope Instead DS Wasauksing Ojibwa First Nation. Yes: their name for me is “Chief Busy The president and CEO of UNICEF Canada, David CC Beaver”! We had a project with Parry Morley ’73 has been working in humanitarian Island in 1965; later, we helped them build and community development projects around the a community centre, and many of the Parry world for more than three decades. From a small Islanders volunteered to work on Frontier projects NGO in Costa Rica to Médecins Sans Frontières across Canada. So there was a strong connection Canada to Save the Children Canada, David is for many years. passionately committed to supporting people who battle and overcome incredible odds to improve Of the many projects you’ve worked on their lives. DS over the years, which stand out as your proudest accomplishments? Did any of your experiences at UTS help The 2,600 safe, warm, new or renovated DS to set you on your career path? CC homes for First Canadians, and the full I really loved the school: it gave us a range of development projects in Haiti, including DM home and a community. People are school and road construction, immunization very lucky to be there. UTS instilled a sense of of 115,000, original electrification of St. Michel confidence that we could make our own paths de L’Attalaye, reforestation, and agricultural and be OK. I chose what was at the time an advancement. I’m also proud that there’s an unorthodox career – there weren’t many people impressive number of First Canadian and Third who went overseas to volunteer, and the term World partners getting power and recognition “NGO” hadn’t been coined yet. At the time, I at last. thought: “This is what I want to do. Trust yourself
David Morley visits a child-friendly space run by UNICEF in the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, in the fall 2011. Due to its proximity to the Somali border, the camp took in many children fleeing the famine in Somalia.
14 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 and follow your passion.” We know inside what rhetoric profoundly. In the end, I decided we want to do – just listen to your heart and that what I really loved was the community follow it. development – as opposed to patching up so that later community development can take place. I get to work Your experience in international In 2005, I left MSF to help to start the Institute alongside or DS cooperation began when you for Canadian Citizenship, which was Adrienne volunteered with street children in Central Clarkson’s and John Ralston Saul’s legacy gift in support of America in the 1970s. Can you tell us about this – after they left Rideau Hall. They were wonderful people who battle and how it affected your career path? people to work with, but I missed international DM After graduating from Carleton, I decided work, so I went to run Save the Children Canada and overcome to take a year off before starting a then ended up here [UNICEF Canada] in 2011. At incredible odds Masters in Medieval History at UofT. I heard of UNICEF, we do both humanitarian relief as well as this organization called “Pueblito” – founded by community development. to improve their a former UTS student and teacher, Peter Taçon lives. And that ’54 – in Costa Rica. I was going to go for three What gives you the courage/belief/ months, but I totally fell in love with the kids. DS inspiration to continue to work in an is inspiring and That three months turned into two years, then I area so much of Western society says is hopeless? life‑affirming, ended up working for Pueblito in Toronto. In all, Many people ask me that question – I spent about 20 years with Pueblito. One of the DM isn’t it depressing to do your because so often things that astounded me was that the kids had work? Not at all. Not being able to do anything where you might not lost the capacity to make friends and to care. is depressing. But I get to work alongside or in And that profoundly changed me. I just wanted support of people who battle and overcome expect to find to be able to help those children, and then do incredible odds to improve their lives. And that despair, you find work that would mean that other children could is inspiring and life-affirming, because so often be helped or that they would never be abandoned where you might expect to find despair, you find hope instead. and have to live on the streets. I could happily hope instead. What could be better than that? have stayed in Latin America, but I would always be a foreigner there. I thought I could make more of a difference in Canada, where I’m speaking Balancing the Scales to and raising money from other Canadians, and where I’m trying to effect policy change through Born in in Kano, Nigeria, Layusa Isa-Odidi the Canadian government as opposed to being a ’05 lived in England, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia foreigner or outsider. Pueblito did great programs before moving to Canada with her family. As a in El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and dual Nigerian-Canadian citizen, she has been Brazil. In Brazil, the women had started daycare moving between the developed and developing centres where five mothers would get together, worlds her entire life. She is passionate about four would work while one would look after all social justice – believing that every human has their children, then they’d pool their money. This an equal right to the opportunities available in grew from three little daycare centres into more developed nations. than 100 – and today, they all get subsidies from the municipal government. In 1998, I became You’ve said that your interest in executive director of Médecins Sans Frontières DS development “stems from my belief that Canada. After I had been there for a couple of it is an opportunity that should be afforded to years, we won the Nobel Prize; I felt like a hockey every human being.” Can you elaborate? player who’s been traded to a team right at the Although I didn’t grow up in Nigeria, I trade deadline and then you win the Stanley Cup! LI went back there every year, so I was getting At MSF, I learned so much about the role of the constant exposure to the way different halves of outsider, and what an outsider could do during the world were living. It was hard to see friends conflict. All the places I went to in Africa were and relatives having a much more difficult time refugee camps or civil-war zones. [Ed. See David’s in terms of access to [basic necessities] such as most recent book, Healing Our World: Inside healthcare and education. It got me thinking Doctors without Borders (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, about why any one person deserves one way of 2006) for more about MSF.] I learned that military life, and I wanted to see Nigerians having similar tactics overcome everything else, and to distrust opportunities to the ones I had in Canada. At
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 15 Layusa Isa-Odidi delivers portable desks to a primary school on the rural outskirts of Johannesburg.
UTS, I was head of the Social Issues Council removed from the solving of society’s problems. and co-president of Amnesty International War I was interested in how to leverage the private Child Canada Club, so I was becoming more and sector to create public and social value. The more aware of the world’s inequities. During International Development program at the my undergrad [at Harvard], every summer I did Kennedy School revolutionized the way I thought an internship at a different non-profit. The first about development. More and more, I’m starting to summer, I worked with TakingITGlobal, which wonder what I can do through the public sector to I just knew that had been asked to lead the Youth Pavilion at the develop the growth of the private sector, working there was this International AIDS conference in Toronto that through NGOs to support small entrepreneurs year. I spent the next summer with the Canadian in starting businesses that will provide jobs and vast part of the International Council, a foreign-policy think- products for people in the lowest income brackets. human population tank; and then the final summer was with Human Last summer, I interned with Open Capital, a Rights First, a legal advocacy group in New York financial services and consulting firm based in I wanted to help. working on crimes against humanity. I didn’t have Nairobi. I was working directly with entrepreneurs a particular focus: I just knew that there was this on their business ideas and helping them get vast part of the human population I wanted to access to capital. These people had great ideas, help. For me, it’s always been about where I will but that’s often not enough to translate the idea be able to have the greatest impact, given my into a business someone will fund. skills, knowledge, and the chances given to me. Do you see your future in NGOs and You’re currently pursuing a joint DS Non-Profits? DS Masters of Public Administration in I’ve decided to stay in the NFP/NGO for International Development [MPA/ID] and LI the time being because I feel that there are Masters of Business Administration at the some services necessary for development that Harvard Kennedy and Business Schools. Why did the private sector has no incentive to provide. you choose these areas? However, I see the value in both sectors and have I was frustrated by the complete separation and will likely continue to switch back and forth LI between the private and public sectors: throughout my career. I want to make sure that neither of these sectors should be completely the end value benefits the public sector. That can
16 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 be done through so many different channels, so other WHO programs. He was a member of the it’s limiting not only to yourself but also to your Committee on Contraceptive Development of cause to say you’re only going to work with one the Institute of Medicine, and a board member particular sector. of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Alan Guttmacher Institute, and the Global DS What’s next for you? Health Council. I’m laying the groundwork to be working Glenn Rae ’57 was elected director of the LI in Nigeria after school. Nigeria is a very Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) frustrating place to work: you can come with Board in 2009, VP of SMHF in 2010, and president all sorts of skills, experience, and connections of the corporation and Chair of the SMHF Board and still get nothing done. If Nigeria proves in 2012. impossible, I’ll look for another African country where my work might be received better. Robert (Bob) Tweedy ’60 served on the board of Care Canada from 1998 to 2010, and was If you could give one piece of advice to Chair from 2002 to 2006; he was awarded The DS the UTS Class of 2013, what would it be? Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 for his Take the time to think about what you work with Care. During Bob’s tenure, Care had LI want to do versus what it is that everyone primary management responsibility for projects around you is doing. Suddenly, all the creativity in nine countries – but also provided expertise and individuality you expressed during your years and resource assistance to more than 30 other of education boil down to the four things that countries. In addition to emergency relief work, everyone is trying to do right now versus sitting Care is known for its hands-on field-work in and thinking about what you really want to do. health, education, women’s advocacy, and the development of small businesses to create sustainable employment and wealth. “My greatest More Inspirational Stories satisfaction came from visiting and reviewing progress on Care projects in countries Dr. Norman Burt-Gerrans ’42 launched the such as Nicaragua, Peru, East Timor, “Woodstock Choralaires” in 1966 with ten charter Cameroon, Kenya, Mali, and Thailand – members; today, this accomplished choir boasts and being able to see firsthand the more than 60 performers. The singers, make-up positive impact of this work on artists, stage crew, and director are all volunteers; people’s lives,” said Bob. all expenses are paid by the members themselves or through public donations and projects run by Richard Reoch ’66 has devoted most of the members. his working life to the defense of human rights, the protection of the environment, Dr. Gordon Perkin ’53 was a Senior Fellow with and the global search for peace. After the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global graduating from UofT, he moved to England to Health Program from 1995 until his retirement in work at Amnesty International. For many 2005. From 1980 to 1999, he served as president years, he was the organization’s global of the Program for Appropriate Technology in media chief, speaking for human Health (PATH), an international NFP dedicated rights worldwide. His field has been to improving health – especially the health of campaigning against torture: he is women and children. As a physician with more the author of the official field manual than 40 years of experience in international health on torture prevention used by the and family planning, Gordon also spent 14 years 55-nation Organization for Security and with the Ford Foundation, where he worked Cooperation in Europe. Richard was as program officer in a variety of international an adviser to the Indo-British Project on health and population projects. He served as the Prevention of Torture on behalf of the a long-term consultant to the World Health Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of TOP: Dr. Gordon Perkin Organization (WHO) on the design and research Torture. In the 1980s, Sting asked Richard to help ’53 strategy of the Special Programme in Human him organize the Rainforest Foundation, and he BOTTOM: Robert (Bob) Reproduction, and has consulted with several is still one of its trustees. He has led international Tweedy ’60
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 17 Burundi. He served as medical coordinator of the ICRC campaign to ban anti-personnel landmines, which helped lead to the Ottawa Treaty of 1997. He returned to the field as an ICRC surgeon in Chechnya and then served as Head Surgeon of the ICRC in Geneva from 1998 to 2005 with field missions to Sudan, DR Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and the DPR Korea. He is the senior author of the ICRC publications First Aid in Armed Conflicts and Other Situations of Violence (2005) and War Surgery: Working with Limited Resources in Armed Conflict and Other Situations of Violence, Volume 1, published in 2009; Volume 2 was published in February 2013. Although officially retired from the ICRC, Chris continues to deploy on short field missions, most recently Libya and southern Thailand. He also serves as surgical consultant for the Canadian Red Cross Rapid Deployment Field Hospital – Emergency Response Unit and for the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin, Australia. He was inducted a Member of the Order of Canada in 1990 for his humanitarian work in the Palestinian refugee camps of Lebanon and was awarded the Star of Palestine TOP: Richard Reoch ’66 in Sri Lanka. BOTTOM: Don Gordon ’76 in Victoria leading a mass by the Executive Committee of the Palestine canvass to identify voters opposed to tankers. Liberation Organisation.
consultations involving organizations working Don Gordon ’76 entered the world of NFPs in on peace and justice issues in Ireland (north and the ’90s as executive director of one of Canada’s south). Richard’s work has taken him to more first land trusts: charitable organizations that than 40 countries, and he currently chairs the preserve natural lands in perpetuity for public International Working Group on Sri Lanka. benefit. “Over time, I’ve helped establish four conservation organizations and came to chair the The son of Greek-Macedonian immigrants, Dr. Stewardship Network of Ontario – a provincial Chris Giannou ’68 left Canada to study and work table where industry, government and ENGOs in various countries in Africa and the Middle meet to find common ground,” he says. A passion East. From 1980 to 1990, he was a surgeon with for SCUBA diving opened Don’s eyes to the the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Lebanon “perilous state of the oceans.” Two years ago, Don where he founded several field hospitals. He was became Development Manager of the Dogwood taken prisoner of war by the Israeli army during Initiative: a public interest group in Victoria, the invasion of Lebanon in 1982; in 1983, he was BC opposing oil tanker traffic and pipeline responsible for the medical care of Israeli POWs developments “that threaten the coast with in the hands of the PLO in Tripoli, Lebanon, catastrophic spills.” where he had to dodge Syrian bombs in order to reach his Israeli patients. The memoir of his Scott Robertson ’79, left a successful counselling experiences in the Shatilla refugee camp was practice in Vancouver in 2001 for a two-year published in the best seller Besieged: A Doctor’s commitment with Voluntary Services Oversees Story of Life and Death in Beirut (Key Porter (VSO) in Zambia. Involved in HIV and AIDS Books, 1990). As a delegate of the Canadian Red activism and direct-service delivery since 1988, he Cross Society, Chris worked as a surgeon for thought his experience and skills could be put to the International Committee of the Red Cross good use in the “eye of the storm/epidemic that (ICRC) in Somalia, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and was, and still is, sub-Saharan Africa. So I chose
18 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 the VSO placement in Zambia, and the rest is says. “I have been privileged to have a history!” That history includes more than 12 years role, however small, in offering a similar of community, organizational, and program opportunity to a new generation of development experience in International HIV/ students going to university in BC.” AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support in Zambia. Since 2003, Scott has been both technical Mark Shuper ’88 is co-founder of the advisor and donor to Prison Care and Counseling Hong Kong-based Sprouts Foundation. Association – a local advocacy and direct-service The organization works closely with Po NGO addressing the needs of current and former Leung Kuk (the Hong Kong Society for inmates. Community Mobilization Advisor for the the Protection of Women and Children) Zambia-led Prevention Initiative, Scott was the and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of co-founder of Serenity Harm Reduction Program Hong Kong, and together with them launched its of Zambia, founder of the Treatment Advocacy anchor project, the Education Services Centre and Literacy Campaign, and co-founder of the (ESC), in 2011. The ESC provides English- Lusaka Counseling Academy. language tuition, storytelling sessions, and monthly outings to 120 primary Kathryn Alberti ’86 has been working for Médecins students in a very low-income district Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) of Hong Kong’s New Territories. This since 1999 when she went to Nigeria as a nurse. fall, Sprouts and its partners will “The plan had been for me to work at a primary extend the ESC to include a secondary health care project in the south, but I ended up as program with an initial capacity for
0 part of a team responding to a cholera epidemic 100 additional students. 8 ’ is ew in the north of the country,” she says. “The L ian Jill job was interesting, dynamic, challenging and Abby Deshman ’99 is a lawyer with the rewarding – I was hooked.” She worked two more Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), contracts in Africa before completing her MSc in a national non-profit that advocates Epidemiology. Kathryn is now an epidemiologist for and protects the fundamental rights for Epicentre, a research and epidemiological and freedoms of individuals across unit of MSF in the Republic of Congo (Congo- Canada. She is currently director of Brazzaville). “My current role is to provide the Public Safety Program, which technical support to field teams, usually related to deals with police powers and police epidemics. I set up surveillance systems, organize accountability, individuals’ rights in the field surveys, do evaluations, and train field staff. criminal law process, and inmate rights I’m based in Paris, but travel frequently – mainly and privacy. “I decided to go into social to Africa, but I did spend a few months in Haiti justice because I wanted to grapple with after the earthquake and during the peak of the and challenge the policies, laws and systemic cholera epidemic. Here in Congo-B, I’m liaising issues that directly impact individuals’ lives,” with the health authorities and evaluating the she explains. Before joining the CCLA, Abby possibility of using a new vaccine to help control worked for small NGOs in Bangladesh a cholera epidemic.” and Nicaragua. “During law school, I spent my summers working for the Ian Worland ’86 has been a member of the Board United Nations High Commission for of Governors of Quest University Canada since Refugees in Kenya, the Human Rights 2008 and Chair of the Board since 2011. Quest Watch’s terrorism-counterterrorism is Canada’s first independent, secular, not-for- division in New York, and a local profit university; it features small class sizes, labour rights organization in Peru,” an immersive, interdisciplinary, broad-based she adds. liberal arts and science curriculum, and a “block” program in which students study one course at Elisha Muskat ’01 says she never made a a time in three-and-half week units. “Meeting conscious decision to work in a non-profit FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: with the students and hearing of their incredible setting: “I’ve always just tried to find work that Chris Giannou ’68, passion and enthusiasm for the learning I care about. Whether an organization I am part Scott Robertson ’79, experience at Quest has brought back memories of is profit-making or not, the key for me is what Ian Worland ’86, of what it was like to be a student at UTS,” Ian difference it is trying to make in the world,” Elisha Muskat ’01
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 19 she continues. “With the the World Bank, Eva has extensive experience prevalence of violence, with international development, including disregard for the natural field experience, through work with the UN world, and oppression of Development Program, Oxford Development Peoples, I feel lucky to Abroad, and numerous other charity groups. see examples every day of innovative solutions to Alexander Speers-Roesch ’02 works in the these challenges.” Elisha climate and energy campaign at Greenpeace currently works at Ashoka Canada, which advocates for sharp reductions Canada: the Canadian in greenhouse gas emissions through a speedy arm of Ashoka (a global transition from fossil fuels and nuclear power to association of social renewable energy and energy efficiency. “Much of entrepreneurs). Previously, my work is focused on halting the expansion of she had worked at the Canadian tar/oil sands – by preventing the Peer Health Exchange, construction of new pipelines, for example – and Phipps Community protecting Arctic communities and ecosystems Development Corporation, from the threats of offshore oil drilling and climate the Cabbagetown Youth change,” he says. “It involves a wide range of Centre, and the ROM. activities, including public education, blogging, research, logistics, civil disobedience, and Vanessa Meadu ’01 works with an engaging and organizing the public to take action international agricultural research on environmental issues.” institute (CGIAR) that focuses on food security, healthy ecosystems, climate In 2009, Clara Chow ’03 founded Generation change, and improving the lives of Enterprise, a small business incubator that equips smallholder farmers in economically at-risk youth to start sustainable businesses in developing regions. “I work with slum communities. A US-Nigeria collaboration, some of the world’s leading scientists on it was launched with seed funding from climate change and food systems to get this Wharton, Stanford, Oxford, McKinsey partners, vital research out into the world,” she says. Microsoft, Google, and Seventh Generation “Some of our achievements include Corporation. “We’ve run five cohorts and getting agriculture included in the UN launched 14 businesses in Lagos,” says Clara, “and Climate Change and Rio+20 Sustainable are looking to scale to India and build a strong Development discussions, and helping investment and revenue model.” bring poor farmers’ voices and perspectives into mainstream media.” As the COO of Elmseed Enterprise Fund – a student-run domestic microfinance non-profit – Eva Vivalt ’01 is CEO and founder of Sinye Tang ’09 works with a team of 50 students AidGrade, a new non-profit research to provide consulting services and micro-loans organization created to identify which to New Haven, CT entrepreneurs who do not international development programs do the qualify for a loan through traditional financing most good. The company provides potential means. “I’m motivated to work in the field of donors with the most accurate, accessible, and domestic microfinance to ensure that credit is up-to-date information about the effectiveness not a barrier to making a living – as in the case of aid programs and organizations: essentially, of a food-cart owner who needs to replace a they give good advice on how to donate money. $1,000 malfunctioning generator or face closing Two of Eva’s UTS classmates are helping with his business,” says Sinye. “This micro-finance the fledgling company: Philip Weiner ’01 is model is exciting because it relies on the on the board, and Diana (Chisholm) Skrzydlo volunteer energy and technical skill of university ’01 has offered some of her statistics students students to ensure low overhead costs and at the University of Waterloo the opportunity to maximize lending capacity to our clients: the FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Clara Chow ’03 in Niger, gain real-world experience by helping to collect 12 different chapters of the Campus Microfinance Alexander Speers-Roesch quantitative data from impact evaluations of Alliance served 700 clients last year (Elmseed ’02, Sinye Tang ’09 development programs. A Young Professional at served 127 of these).” n
20 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Photos by Victor Yeung 2012 Crawford Award and Hall of Fame
Don Gutteridge, who joined UTS as a teacher in the world,” he reminisced about his retirement Clockwise from top in 1961 and who served as principal from 1972 when four prefects brought his office chair on to left: Members of the to 1983, was the 2012 recipient of the Crawford the auditorium stage during a farewell assembly. 1991-2 and 1992-3 Award. He was cited for “his profound dedication Once he had sat down, they then proceeded to Girls Field Hockey Championship teams to educational ideals and forward-thinking carry him back to his office where a card on his with UTSAA Board Chair vision,” and for the fact that, “as a stalwart desk read: “Mr. G’s desk. Please do not touch.” John Wilkinson ’78 and supporter of UTS for 50 years, his commitment to Don also let the assembled guests know that Don Borthwick ’54; Don the school has been unwavering.” he was wearing the gold cufflinks that were his Gutteridge; Ron Wakelin In his introduction, Don Borthwick ’54 observed retirement gift from the school. “This has been a and Ornella Barrett with that Don had become principal at the beginning wonderful evening,” he observed: “a celebration Don Borthwick ’54. of one of the most important periods in UTS of continuity and an affirmation that the roots history. “The changes that he initiated during continue to sustain the tree.” his tenure were transformative,” he said. These Inductees to the UTS Hall of Fame were also changes included bringing co-education to UTS, honoured at the Alumni Dinner. Retired sports and the hiring of women to the staff, elimination physical education teachers, Ornella Barrett and of grade 13, modernization of the curriculum, Ron Wakelin, were both cited for “dedication and cessation of the cadet corps, promotion of commitment to promoting an environment of overseas student exchanges, initiation of the sound ethics, fair play, and equal opportunity in first bursary fundraising program, and many the athletic life of the school and for challenging more, all “achieved with a steady hand on our athletes to reach their full potential.” Also the tiller.” inducted were the first two Girls Field Hockey The award was presented to Don Gutteridge championship teams: 1991–92 and 1992–93. These during the Annual Alumni Dinner in October, teams – which Don Borthwick described as “a and he took the opportunity to share many UTS small dynasty at UTS: four City champions in five memories. Describing UTS as “the greatest school years!” – were coached by Ornella. n
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 21 2012 Annual Alumni Dinner More than 220 alumni, former and current staff, representation of 44 class members. Pre-dinner and guests attended the Annual Alumni Dinner, entertainment was provided by a three-piece which took place on October 13, 2012 at St. jazz trio and vocalist (all Class of 2013). Student Michael’s College, UofT. Forty attendees came captains Emma Clarke ’13 and Josh Feldman ’13 from out of town, travelling from BC, NS (and presented a boutonnière to our oldest grad in many points in between), as well as from CA, attendance, John McIntyre ’37; and Bruce “Nails” FL, MN, NY, and PA. Four alumni made the trip Maclean received a welcoming standing ovation. from overseas: Tim Mitchell ’82 and Christopher MC Rob Duncan ’95 ably guided the proceedings, Watson ’92 from the UK, Liang Hong ’02 from which included greetings from John Wilkinson ’78, Japan, and Katie Gibson ’95 from Cambodia. Chair of the UTSAA Board, Principal Rosemary Many of the current staff were guests of the Evans, and UTS Board members Susan Opler ’79 class of 2002, who were out in full force with a and John Duffy ’81. n
22 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 Page 22: TOP ROW (L-R): Former and current staff (FRONT ROW (L-R): Rosemary Evans, Ann Unger, Anne Millar, Carole Bernicchia-Freeman, Rose Dotten, Ornella Barrett, Ana Pereira-Castillo, Judy Fleming. BACK ROW (L-R): Mike Gendron, David Laurenson, Don Gutteridge, Scott Baker, Al Fleming ’54, Clare Pace, Ron Wakelin.); Bruce “Nails” MacLean. BOTTOM ROW (L-R): John Duffy ’81; John Wilkinson ’78, Susan Opler ’79, Rob Duncan ’95. Page 23: TOP ROW (L-R): John McIntyre ’37 and Michael Fair ’47; Classes of 1972-73. MIDDLE: Class of 2002. BOTTOM ROW (L-R): Class of 82; Class of 87 Photos by Victor Yeung
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 23 Alumni News Notes on The Interesting Lives and Outstanding Achievements of Our Alumni
Former UTS John and five other veterans toured the Development was his vision and gift for principal Robin War Museum and viewed a selection future generations.” Brooke-Smith says of John’s works on display, prompting his new book, him to comment: “I’m now a little On December 5, 2012, Don Lawson Storm Warning (I.B. piece of history!” ’47 was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Tauris/The Radcliffe II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Dr. Lawson Press, 2012 and In November 2012, was nominated by the YMCA of Palgrave Macmillan, a book launch was Metropolitan Toronto for his many 2013), describes his held in Collingwood volunteer contributions over 60 years experiences in the for Images and to that organization, the extraordinary Pakistan Afghan Reflections (LifeGems contribution he has made to Canadian Borderlands and the rise of Global Jihad. Personal Histories, society as the Chairman of the Board of There will be a Toronto launch at UofT’s 2012) by Hugh Monro The Counselling Foundation of Canada, Munk Centre on April 9. Dale ’39, a self- his service to Victoria University, described life-long student, watercolour as well as his many other volunteer “I thought it might amuse any other artist, and botanical expert. Retired UTS leadership roles. members of my class that graduated at art teacher, Ann Unger donated a copy the same time to see how I’m doing,” of the book, an autobiography and “One day in writes Gillean MacKinnon ’32. “It won’t collection of paintings by the author, to 2010,” writes Peter be long until I’m 100 years old.” His the UTS library. MacNames ’49, “my sister Ainslie turned 100 recently, and grandson Dylan brother Murdo ’32 recently passed away In September 2012, the University of suggested I record at the age of 95. “So we’re a long-lived Toronto launched the Fraser Mustard my piano stylings as family,” observes Gillean. Institute for Human Development a sort of legacy for (IHD) – named in memory of early my descendants and that, with his audio John Bennett ’38 – who served in the human development champion Fraser training, he’d be my sound engineer. Camouflage Unit during WWII and Mustard ’46. IHD, the first institute of its After two recording sessions, we created recorded his impressions of life on the kind in Canada, encompasses faculties a CD… of my favourite tunes, played the Front in small watercolour sketches – and divisions across UofT as well as way I like them.” has made a gift of these paintings to its affiliated hospitals. “Fraser Mustard the National War Museum in Ottawa. was a giant… a man of unflagging Dennis Lee’s Toronto, a musical journey After the war, John was accorded the curiosity and great generosity of spirit,” through “a past that should have first one-man show of a living artist at said UofT President David Naylor at been”, premiered at the Young Centre the Art Gallery of Toronto. In October, the opening. “The Institute for Human for the Performing Arts in October
L-R: Gillean MacKinnon ’32; John Bennett ’38, with one of his watercolours, at the National War Museum; Peter MacNames ’49 at the keyboard.
24 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 ALUMNI NEWS
2012. Poet Dennis Lee ’57, author of Scholars Publishing, 2012), a copy of VP, Business & Legal Affairs for Live Alligator Pie and co-founder of House which he donated to the UTS library. Nation Global Touring, the world’s of Anansi Press, collaborated with the largest concert promoter. He began as Young Centre’s resident artists program Alex Rae-Grant ’75, a staff neurologist an entertainment lawyer at Goodmans to create a series of Toronto-centric at the Cleveland Clinic since 2007, and and moved in-house in 1990 to BCL songs with titles such as “Rosedale wife Mary Bruce have four children: Entertainment Corp., the Canadian Mansions”, “The Ghostly Grenadier”, and sons Michael, Tucker, and George, and concert and theatre powerhouse, to “The Sun Comes Up in Scarborough”. a daughter, Sasha. “I am still swimming manage business and legal affairs. When interviewed by the Globe and competitively and enjoy commuting to Over the years, he has helped manage Mail, Lee commented that he was work on my bicycle,” he reports. His many of the top-grossing concert tours striving for songs that had “that feel of sixth medical textbook will be published of all time, including numerous tours being around for decades but somehow in the coming year. by The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, also [with] the overlay of today’s Pink Floyd, Lady Gaga, The Police, Toronto, where there are these musical Allison MacDuffee ’78 and her husband Neil Young, and Barbra Streisand. “UTS traditions from all around the world.” John Spragge are delighted to announce helped me to think analytically and that their adoption of their daughter problem solve,” Eric said. “But when At the Table, Nourishing Conversation Kennedy has now been finalized. I told Mick it’s all because of UTS, he and Food (Penumbra Press, 2012), by furrowed his brow and said ‘I think Terence Keenleyside Leigh Sarty ’79 writes: “Since August, I there’s a vaccine for that’.” ’58, is a collection have been back in Moscow as Deputy of recipes and Head of Mission at the Canadian John Chew ’81 – a mathematician, of entertaining Embassy, together with my wonderful software developer, and Scrabble stories drawn spouse Ruth Fawcett ’79 and our consultant – was in the eye of the from dinnertime youngest son Robert (who was born worldwide media in January, explaining exchanges. “While during our last Moscow posting in the why the values of Scrabble letter tiles there is growing late 1990s).” remain unchanged despite the evolution evidence of the of the English language, defending them social, educational, Nomi Morris ’80 has been appointed on the basis of their play balance against and psychological importance of Program Chair of Visual Journalism a technical attack by Joshua Lewis, a conversation at the dinner table,” says at Brooks Institute in Ventura, computer scientist based in California. Terence, “the custom is threatened by California. Brooks, founded in 1945 Appearances on the BBC, NPR, and CBC the frenetic pace of life and ubiquitous in Santa Barbara, built its reputation culminated in an online match between presence of electronic devices. This as the nation’s premiere college for the two on February 8. John lives book is a happy reminder of the pleasure professional photography. Today it with his wife and two sons in Toronto of collective dining and… a warning of also offers degrees in Graphic Design, when not travelling around the world the dangers in neglecting this tradition.” Film, and Visual Journalism – which organizing Scrabble tournaments. encompasses photojournalism, Leonard Dudley ’62, multimedia journalism, documentary After receiving a honorary president filmmaking, and writing for mass media. Ph.D. in Theoretical at the Université de Nomi invites alumni who work in any Physics at Caltech Montréal, recently of these fields to visit as guest speakers, and pursuing a released a new and also to refer potential students career in applied book, Mothers of to her. mathematics, Darin Innovation: How Beigie ’82 has been expanding social Eric Kert ’80 has been working in the teaching middle- networks gave birth international concert business for over school math for the to the Industrial Revolution (Cambridge 22 years. Currently, he is Executive last 18 years. Recently, Darin published
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 25 ALUMNI NEWS
Lisa Grushcow ’92 is the senior rabbi and Google founders Larry Page and at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom Sergey Brin. Her research focuses on in Montreal – the oldest Reform developing faster, more energy-efficient synagogue in Canada. In addition to ways to transmit data using optics or her degree from McGill, Lisa holds light signals – work that is immediately a Master’s and Ph.D. in philosophy applicable to servers in large computer from Oxford University, which she facilities, but which has the potential to attended as a Rhodes Scholar. In 2003, change the way computers are built. she was ordained a rabbi at New York City’s Hebrew Union College – Jewish Albert Tang ’99 and his wife Rei are Institute of Religion. She then served at happy to announce and celebrate the Congregation Rodeph Sholom, a Reform arrival of their first child, Maximus Tang, synagogue in Manhattan. in September 2012.
Aaron Chan ’94 married Agnes Lee on Christopher Yau and Jennifer Luong April 28, 2012 in Toronto. There were from the class of 2006 were married on many UTS connections among the guests the Toronto Islands on June 23, 2012. including fellow class of ’94 members “We chose to have our wedding on the Darin Beigie ’82 is the author of a new book for Steve Engels, Eugene Kim, Dennis Ku, island,” they write, “because our first middle-school math enrichment. Keith Lau, and Lawrence Yu, as well as ‘date’ was S6 House Island Day and current parent Helmut Zisser. we have many wonderful memories an enrichment book for middle-school there.” The couple was surrounded by math students that provides problem- Amanda Ross-White ’96 and Michael friends from UTS, including the entire solving opportunities in a content- White are thrilled to announce the wedding party (fellow classmates Radu rich setting. The book, Mathematical safe arrival of Alexander Robert, born Craioveanu, Charley Wang, Cynthia Reasoning: Middle School Supplement, is May 8, 2012, a little brother to Rebecca Smithers, and Morag Scanlon). Jennifer part of the Critical Thinking Company’s Katherine. is currently a third-year law student Mathematical Reasoning Series. at UofT and will be articling at the Last summer, Joyce Poon ’98 (UofT constitutional law branch of the Ontario Wendy Drukier ’86 is now the Assistant Professor, Electrical and Ministry of the Attorney General next Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Computer Engineering; Canada Research year; Chris is currently a graduate Rica, with concurrent accreditation to the Chair in Integrated Photonic Devices, student in the UofT Department of Republic of Honduras and the Republic UofT), was honoured as one of 35 young Immunology, working on Type 1 of Nicaragua. innovators to be singled out by MIT’s diabetes at Sick Kids Hospital. Technology Review as rising stars in Gregory Shron ’89 and wife Samantha an international high-tech ranking. Founded by Gavin Pitchford ’76, Shron are very happy to announce She joins a list of past recipients that Delta Management Group continues the arrival of Nathaniel Lee Shron (aka includes Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to steward Canada’s Clean50 Award, Nat). “Born in Daejeon, South Korea on January 3, 2011, Nat officially joined our family on September 13, 2012,” Greg writes. “Big sister Miriam is busy showing him the ropes. They both hope to meet Dad’s old classmates at the 25th reunion in 2014!”
Phil Curry ’90 and his wife Zahra are happy to announce the birth of their second child, a daughter named Kiara Jade Habib Curry. “She was born on August 8, 2012 (a full two months ahead of her due date!), weighing 4lbs 5oz. Despite being born early, she is doing very well,” Phil reports. L: Aaron Chan ’94 married Agnes Lee last April. R: Amanda Ross-White ’96 with baby Alexander.
26 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 ALUMNI NEWS which annually recognizes Canadians who work to enhance sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada. Many UTS alumni are involved in the creation and organizing of the endeavour: Paul Cassel ’77, Elaine Evans (nee Duffy) ’80, Siva Vijenthira ’05, and Celesa Horvath ’85. Celesa was also an Honouree this year through her consulting firm, Ventus. Don Schmitt ’70, of Diamond Schmitt Architects, was honoured for his contribution to green building design. UTS won a Top 10 Project Award for teacher Josh Fullan’s urban design program, Maximum City. Gavin chaired Kirsten Jewell ’04 married Adam McClure in May 2012 with many UTS friends in attendance. the Clean50 Summit 2.0 last September during which Celesa, Paul, Don, and has performed in New York, London, the jazz scene in the city. With great Josh met with more than 100 other and Toronto. music and fair-trade and ethical food Clean50 honourees to discuss means of and drink suppliers, Resonance is advancing Canada’s sustainability. Kirsten Jewell ’04 married Adam McClure quickly becoming a favourite spot in on May 26, 2012 in Toronto. Classmates Montreal’s Mile-End neighbourhood. “If Kai Chan ’93 is a 2013 Stanford Johanna Pokorny, Hannah Chiu, and you’re in the area, stop in and say hi!” Woods Institute for the Environment Jennifer Forsyth were in the wedding says Martin. Leopold Leadership Fellow – one of party, and Deborah Kanter, Kay Lam, 20 outstanding researchers selected from and Esther Lexchin also attended the Alumni Visitors 17 North American institutions. Kai is wedding. After a honeymoon in Costa UTS welcomed a number of alumni associate professor and Canada Research Rica, Kirsten and Adam packed up and guests over the last few months. Many Chair at the University of British moved across the country to Kelowna, answered the call for volunteers to help Columbia’s Institute for Resources, BC, where both are completing their the new UTS Law Team prepare for the Environment and Sustainability. residencies in family medicine. Ontario Bar Association’s Secondary His research area is “Improving the School Mock Trial Tournament. In the management and governance of social- In October 2012, Martin Heslop ’04 fall, Richard B. Jones ’59 was the first ecological systems.” and his friend Colin Power opened guest speaker, and Tim Morgan ’97 Montreal’s newest jazz venue, Resonance suggested a mock-trial curriculum and is David Heti ’01 has left the Department Café. The café showcases live jazz music, currently working with the students on a of Justice for the world of comedy. He highlighting the depth and variety of bi-weekly basis.
There are lots of great ways Work out in to stay in touch! style in an easy-care The Alumni E-Directory – sign-up at: UTS tech www.utschools.ca/alumniedirectory crew-neck Facebook: shirt! www.fb.com/utschools
On the web: www.utschools.ca/alumni Silver-bonded moisture-wicking fibre • Lower back stash pocket • Fine twin needle finish • Men’s and women’s Email: $30 Make sure we have your current email address! Send contact info updates to: [email protected] www.utschools.ca/merchandise
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 27 TOP ROW (L-R): Richard B. Jones ’58 visits Law Club; Christina Shum ’06 and Melissa Lam ’06 in an S5 music class. BOTTOM ROW (L-R): A pre-graduation ceremony volley ball game between the Class of 2012 and the current Senior Blues; US Thanksgiving visits from the Class of ’12: Julia Romansky ’12, Jeannie Xu and Adarsh Gupta (seated) along with UofT student Jessica Zung (standing) who also stopped by to say hi; Julia Pomerantz ’12.
Christina Shum ’06, a music therapist On leave from their respective US guest speakers were Professor Marcel working with residents in long‑term universities over the American Danesi, UofT professor of anthropology; care facilities, and Melissa Lam ’06, Thanksgiving period, Adarsh Gupta ’12, and current parent John Duffy ’81, Vice who turned to song-writing while Julia Romansky ’12, Jeannie Xu ’12, Julia Chair of the UTS Board of Directors, teaching English in Hong Kong to help Pomerantz ’12, and Soniya Sharma ’08 who spoke about the importance of her deal with the challenges of living visited UTS and spoke to senior students listening as a critical skill. In addition, abroad, shared their experiences with about their university experiences to date. there were performances by the UTS Judy Kay’s S5 (grade 11) students last Taiko Drummers led by Anthony Lee ’86 fall who were examining the power of Forty-seven alumni volunteered at the and by our Indian dancers, who recently music from different perspectives. Stage 2 Admissions Interview Testing in appeared in SHOW. Melissa’s CD, Eight Months, is January. The school can’t wait to meet available online. the class of 2019 in September! The Class of 2012 enjoyed a banquet at the Faculty Club hosted by the UTSAA On November 13, UTS welcomed Paul In early February, UTS Debate Society on November 3. Director Jonathan Tough ’85. Paul launched his book members demonstrated their logistical Bitidis ’99 brought greetings from the How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity proficiency when the school hosted the association, and many of our alumni and the Power of Character (Houghton Fulford Debating event. In addition, more scholarship donors were on hand to Mifflin Harcourt, 2012) at a public, well- than 60 members of the UTS community make presentations to the graduates. attended community assembly and then – alumni, parents, family members, staff, For some of our alumni, the day began spoke to the UTS students at a school former staff, and friends of the school – with a volleyball game: the Class of 2012 assembly the next morning. contributed their time as judges. The two playing the Senior Blues!
Celebrating 14 years!
The Keys Gallery is located in Room Margaret 107a at UTS. If you’d like to exhibit, contact Liv Mapué ’04 at Olivia Krawecka [email protected] or Johanna Exhibiting in the Pokorny at johanna.pokorny@gmail. Gallery this fall: ’96 com for further information.
28 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 TOP ROW (L-R): Branching Out speed mentoring discussions; Joyce Poon ’98, Cari Whyne ’87, Brent Huffman ’99 and Julie Hwang ’06 at UTS for Not Science Fiction: My Path. BOTTOM ROW (L-R): Dave Auster ’86, Olivia Padiernos-Mapué ’04, Alison Falby ’90, Conrad Chow ’99, and Rob Duncan ’95 discuss The Road Less Travelled.
Branching Out lessons learned and following one’s or studying abroad and a desire to It’s been another busy year for our passions were shared with the audience make a difference – be it in the areas of Branching Out mentoring program. This of students, parents, alumni, and staff. healthcare, animal care, or the physical year’s cohort ended their partnerships on world. Treating the unexpected as an January 31 with a Speed Mentoring Pizza Not Science Fiction: My Path featured opportunity was seen as critical. As Brent Party during which students circulated professions sparked by an interest commented, “small choices take you to for five-minute mentoring sessions with in science. The panelists were exciting places.” nine different mentors. It was both Sunnybrook scientist Dr. Cari Whyne fun and fruitful! In summing up the ’87, UofT assistant professor Dr. Joyce The next group of students and experience, one student commented on Poon ’98, zoologist Brent Huffman alumni will meet in April. Enquiries how helpful it was to “ask questions… ’99, and McGill science graduate and are welcome throughout the year, and about various choices and paths that I naturopathy student, Julie Hwang ’06. potential alumni mentors should contact am about to embark upon.” One of the A common denominator for all of these the Office of Advancement to express mentors noted that it was “very nice to alumni was time spent working and/ their interest. be able to allay fears and help to focus energies more positively.” Want to hear original pieces by students and There were two exciting events during alumni at UTS or recall the day when you or your classmate the fall. The Road Less Travelled featured wrote a hilarious song for the Twig Tape? Presenting: Conrad Chow ’99 in concert performing music from his new CD Premieres, as well as the world premiere of je t’y plumerai by Alex Eddington ’98. Later, uTunes Conrad was joined by Dave Auster ’86, the UTS student-run online music repository Rev. Dr. Alison Falby ’90, Rob Duncan ’95, and Olivia Padiernos-Mapué ’04 for For a digital version of every twig tape since 1985, a panel discussion on out-of-the-box go to utunes.utschools.ca career choices. Alison set the tone for the evening by quoting Frederick Buechner: “Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Many inspirational messages about
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 29 ALUMNI NEWS
LEFT: The Montreal branch event. RIGHT: Team Victor is Crazy basketball champs, Luke Nelson, Clayton Tso, and Thomas Harris, all Class of ’02.
Branch Events Class Reunions out with invitations refreshed contact A Montreal gathering in November Thirteen members of the Class of with more than 50 classmates and there 2012 gave local alumni the chance to 1947 met for a congenial luncheon are hopes for an even better turnout get together and also to meet Principal at the Badminton and Racquet Club at the next reunion – currently planned Rosemary Evans and Executive Director on October 23, 2012 to celebrate for the spring of 2015. of Advancement Martha Drake. In their 65th anniversary. Honoured January, a small group of alumni in the guests included Principal Rosemary 2013 Alumni 3-on-3 Victoria, BC area had the chance to get Evans – who spoke thoughtfully and Basketball Tournament an update on the school from Martha generously of UTS and the class – and Nine teams took to the court for the Drake and to meet and forge some new Martha Drake, Executive Director, annual 3-on-3 Alumni Basketball connections. Upcoming events include Advancement. Tournament. Team Victor is Crazy New York City on April 11 and Ottawa (Thomas Harris ’03, Luke Nelson ’03, on May 9. Don’t miss out: make sure Undaunted by the drizzly November Clayton Tso ’03, and friend Matthew to send the Office of Advancement an weather, the Class of ’52, spouses, and Tanner) retained the coveted trophy for updated email address so that we can guest of honour Bruce “Nails” McLean the third year in a row – the makings invite you! attended the 60th reunion and a friendly of a dynasty! The Power Rangers evening was enjoyed by all. (Andrew Chan ’08, Frank Grek ’06, Ryan Lee ’12, and Stephen Rowlands ’08) The The 50th reunion of the Class of ’62 was were runners-up. a great occasion with a fine turnout; only Annual 16 classmates were unable to attend. In Memoriam A Friday evening gathering proved to Remembering the Lives and Alumni a good opportunity for socializing. On Achievements of our Alumni Saturday, the class attended the Annual Dinner Alumni Dinner – at the conclusion of Donald Hubbs ’43 will be held on Saturday, which the class of ’62 dispersed for 1925-2013 October 19, 2013 at the another year or five. A good friend and the glue that kept Marriott Yorkville More than 20 members of the Class our class together Registration is now open. of ’77 got together at the home of Bill Donald Hubbs ’43 passed away in Go to: www.utschools.ca/ Robson and his wife Helen last October. Guelph General Hospital on January 26, rsvp or call 416-978-3919 Phil Schogt, who came from Amsterdam, 2013 from cancer. He was age 87. Early Bird pricing until claimed the distance prize; there were After UTS, Don received a B.Sc. from August 31st! many wives in attendance, as well as the University of Toronto and then special guests former principal Don worked his entire professional life with Gutteridge and his wife, Anne. Reaching National Silicates.
30 THE ROOT • Spring 2013 ALUMNI NEWS
When he Club. With the help of other club was devoted to his UTS classmates and attended UTS, members, he also arranged an annual so – in a modest, quiet, personal way – the students were spring luncheon. He invited new UTS he worked over the years to keep these known as “Baldy’s principals to join us – including Rosemary classmates connected with each other. Boys” (named Evans in June 2012. Due to Don’s email In so doing, he reinforced one simple after their bald reminders, 35 classmates attended. truth: friendships should be nurtured, for headmaster, Dr. In 2002, Don started publishing each one adds value to our lives. As did Lewis). Don’s an impressive and attractive booklet Don Hubbs. loyalty and called Baldy’s Boys, which included full He is survived by his wife Dilwyn, two dedication to his class became evident contact information for the class and sons, a stepson and stepdaughter, and about 20 years ago when he stepped up the names of those recently deceased. six grandchildren. to the plate and established himself as Eventually, he sent the booklets to the –Ted Cross ’43 chief organizer of the class of ’43. classes of ’41 through ’45 (the “Friends The most important meeting of the of the Class of ’43”) as well and invited Don Manchester ’44 class was a monthly luncheon held them to the lunches. 1924-2012 September to May, initially at the Donald Hubbs was not remarkable Arcadian Court and then at the Albany because he made public headlines. He A fine gentleman and loyal supporter Condolences are extended to the families of of UTS these alumni who passed away recently. Don Manchester ’44 died last Holton Shipman ’33 A. Donald Manchester ’44 October, as September 18, 2011 October 2012 the result of a Robert Grant ’34 John R. Robinson ’44 fall. Over the August 16, 2012 July 24, 2012 years he attended UTS, he developed Maurice D. Boyd ’36 Robert Lanning ’45 from being a rather shy boy (the Twig November 25, 2012 November 24, 2012 described him as “quiet, reliable, and popular”), into a leader. He eventually George Kelk ’37 Bruce E. Brown ’46 became an officer in the Cadet Corps, November 9, 2012 October 30, 2012 Form Captain of his VA (Grade 13) Raymond H. Souster ’39 Robert Brodie ’47 class, and the winner of the silver October 19, 2012 December 6, 2012 Nesbitt Medal. Upon graduation from UTS in 1944, John Walker ’39 James Butler ’47 September 3, 2012 September 29, 2012 Don joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served until the end of the war. Hertzel Rotenberg ’40 Roderick J. Whitehead ’47 On his return, he involved himself in September 22, 2011 September 15, 2012 alumni affairs and became president Reginald Victor Barnett ’41 Clayton R. Peterson ’48 of the UTSAA in 1962. In addition, in January 21, 2013 August 19, 2012 the mid‑1990s, Don took on a major role in the “Preserve the Opportunity” Richard Lloyd ’41 William Bodrug ’49 campaign, which raised $15-million for September 10, 2012 November 28, 2012 the UTS Bursary Fund. Alexander T. Cringan ’43 Donald Landon ’49 For the last two decades, he October 30, 2012 October 28, 2012 maintained his interest in UTS and its John J. Fox ’43 Harvey Brown ’55 grads through such activities as the September 26, 2012 November 24, 2012 “Baldy’s Boys” luncheons, class of 1944 gatherings, Remembrance Day Donald E.H. Hubbs ’43 John Chidley-Hill ’73 school assemblies, and annual donations January 26, 2013 February 3, 2013 to the school. J. Richard Joy ’44 Peter Odell ’73 We will miss Don Manchester very October 6, 2012 January 2, 2013 much; he was a fine gentleman and loyal supporter of UTS. –Derek Bate ’44
THE UTS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 31 Looking Back
Judging from these archival photographs, carefully preserved and restored by John Murray ’54, the UTS Class of 1954 knew how to run hard and play hard! The setting for both pictures is Varsity Centre. The track-and-field meet took place in May 1954, just before graduation from UTS. At the Old Boys Hockey Night of February 18, 1955 – “the first after our graduation,” John points out – the chance to play cards on a drum clearly trumped the action on the ice! “The old Ektachrome slides had gone completely red but I was able to restore the colour with my 35mm scanner and some help from Photoshop,” says John. “The card game shows, I think, Martin Jerry ’55 and Gary Goldthorpe ’55, second and third from the left respectively,” says John. Can you help us identify the students in these pictures? Email us at [email protected].
32 THE ROOT • Spring 2013