SPRING 2007 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Shaping Canadian Identity UC CANADIAN STUDIES New UCAA President Giving Back to Your Alma Mater The Latest from Classmates & Friends U of T Chancellor Emeritus Senator Vivienne Poy, Canadian Studies Students Imogen Byers, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE UNIVERSITY of TORONTO Nadine Todd and Omar Soliman U C N O W A Message from UC Principal A Message Sylvia Bashevkin from UCAA This magazine issue spotlights President the central role that interdis- Nicholas ciplinary programs play in the contemporary life of the Holland (UC ‘93) University College commu- nity. As the proud home of It wouldn’t be a stretch to say I’ve been connected to one one of Canada’s first Canadian University College (UC) or another my entire life. As the Studies programs, UC spon- son of the dean of student affairs at UC in London, UK, I sors what has become one of grew up living in a UC residence, scuttling down the halls the largest and most innova- as a toddler alongside students anxious to get to class. tive undergraduate academic programs in this part of the UC has been a comfortable constant in my life – with world. With a combined total of more than 200 majors, refreshing transitions. As I graduated from UC in 1993, minors and specialists, Canadian Studies attracts students went on to law school and then eventually came back as from across the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and a VP of the UCAA, change became my new constant. Science and its professional faculties. The program has pio- And as I take over the reins as Association president so neered the development of a diverse academic curriculum Dr. Milena Forte can focus on her growing family, we’re that embraces the vigour of today’s urban Canada, with embarking on an exciting time of transformation. Are courses in areas including Asian Canadian, AfriCanadian you ready to be a part of it? and Canadian Jewish studies. UCAA is dedicated to tackling three important goals: Undergraduate numbers have increased dramatically in 1. Enhance the student experience; recent years, given the program’s high-quality teaching fac- 2. Encourage alumni involvement & volunteerism; ulty, generous student awards and commitment to fostering 3. Improve UC representation in the university com- undergraduate research opportunities. Just as UC has long munity. represented the openness, tolerance and diversity of Canada Anyone who participated in this year’s Student- at its best, so too does our Canadian Studies Program. I hope Alumni Career Mentorship Program, or checked out that the profiles of our Canadian Studies students, faculty & our alumni roundtable events, knows we’re giving stu- alumni reflect the impact that we collectively have on shaping dents inside knowledge of what life after school is really the definition of what it means to be Canadian through this like. No textbook can compete with a mentor’s insight flagship UC interdisciplinary program. – and students are clamoring for more opportunities to Thanks to our outstanding students, engaged faculty, connect with us. committed staff, and generous alumni and friends, UC is The UCAA is also looking for alumni interested in vol- a wonderful community within UofT. In a period of con- untering. Are you interested in the mentorship committee? strained government funding for undergraduate education, The spring reunion committee? The outreach committee? the College is particularly fortunate to benefit from the And finally, as we develop groups such as the outreach talents of so many dedicated alumni. Incoming UC Alumni committee, we’ll take a stronger responsibility in pointing Association President Nicholas Holland (UC ‘93) and I people toward governance roles, such as UC representatives share not only the same birthday, but also a strong belief on the College of Electors who help select the Chancellor that UC volunteers make an enormous difference to the and alumni governors for the UofT Governing Council. lives of our students. I hope each of you will be inspired by We invite you to join the UCAA by contacting the his words and example, and take up the invitation to partici- Alumni Office at [email protected] or call 416- pate in the University College Alumni Association. I look 978-2968. forward to working with Nicholas to ensure your engage- ment in the UCAA is meaningful, fulfilling and fun! 2 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE SPRING 2007 CONTENTS University College 2 A Message from UC Principal Sylvia Bashevkin Volume 32 Number 2 4 In Touch Spring 2007 Order your UC wine today 5 Spotlight on UC’s Canadian Studies Alumnus Jim Williamson University College Alumni Magazine Shaping Canadians Identity is a publication of the 6 Come Back for Spring Reunion University College Is your graduating year being honoured in 2007? Find out here Alumni Association University of Toronto 15 King’s College Circle 7 Feature Toronto, Ontario, Canada Reflecting diverse Canadian experiences M5S 3H7 Tel: 416-978-2968 Fax: 416-978-3802 Web site: www.utoronto.ca/uc/alumni President, Alumni Association: 7 Nicholas Holland (UC ‘93) 8 Spotlight on UC's Canadian Studies Program Students Alumni Development Officer, Imogen Byers, Nadine Todd and Omar Soliman Editor-in-Chief: Carolee Tayler 10 Alumni Matters Join UC’s Alumni Association Contributors: Ken Aucoin Residence Life Today 11 Professor Sylvia Bashevkin Some things change; some stay the same Stacey Kiefer 12 Giving Back Jim Lawson How to make a difference in the lives of UC students Kathleen Sandusky Kira Vermond Reunions 18 Chris Waller Remember the UC Follies? Layout and Design: UofT Press 19 UC Classes Awards and accolades for UC alumni Printing: UofT Press Our magazine is printed with Scene & Heard 20 vegetable-based inks The buzz on campus Publication Agreement Number: In Memoriam 22 1714686 Remembering alumni 23 Calendar of Events Mark your date book UNIVERSITY COLLEGE MAKE YOUR DONATION TO THE UC ANNUAL FUND TODAY Phone: 416-978-2968 Web: www.utoronto.ca/uc/alumni Mail: complete the form on page 17 and use the enclosed pre-paid envelope UNIVERSITY of TORONTO Fax: complete the form on page 17 and fax it to 416-978-3802 SPRING 2007 WWW.UTORONTO.CA/UC/ALUMNI 3 I N T O U C H University College Wine Labels WINE ORDER FORM Recently Published To Place your order fax to: 905-562-7777 Season of Iron 2004 University College Chardonnay Sylvia Maultash Warsh (UC ‘68) recently had her third novel The nose offers aromas of tropical fruit flavours including banana, pineapple, published, Season of Iron (Dundurn Group 2006), the lat- citrus and apple along with vanilla and butterscotch. The palate is light and est in an award-winning literary mystery series exploring the smooth with subtle flavours of melon and pear ending with a soft oak finish. Holocaust. To learn more, visit www.sylviawarsh.com. 2002 University College Pinot Grigio A floral and enticing nose with hints of peach, honeysuckle and melon. The palate has brilliant flavors of melon, apricots and pears all washed with a Catch the Gold Ring cleansing acidity in the finish. An excellent aperitif wine. Sadie Moranis (UC ‘46) has had 2002 University College Pinot Noir a remarkable career as a real estate Jammy red fruit on the nose, subtle flavours of cherry and black currant accom- panied with spicy oak notes of wood, tobacco, leather and spice. A smooth agent, broker and business owner. palate yet just enough acid and tannic backbone that will allow further ageing. In her autobiography, Catch the 2003 University College Cabernet Franc Gold Ring, she looks back at her life A bright red cherry colour with notes of strawberry, red currant and raspberry and reflects on her many achieve- along with subtle oak hints of pepper and vanilla. The palate is light and fruity ments. Sadie’s experience helps us with a mix of ripe, red berry fruit followed by a mellow, toasty oak finish. appreciate what great things can be PRODUCT PRICE NO. OF DELIVERY TOTAL accomplished when we are driven to CASES CHARGE be the best we can. To order a copy, 2004 UC $155.40/case (12) $15.00/case call Sadie’s office at 416-449-2020. Chardonnay 2002 UC $167.40/case (12) $15.00/case Pinot Grigio A Thin Place 2002 UC $167.40/case (12) $15.00/case A Thin Place, author Charlotte Fielden’s (UC ‘55) first collection Pinot Noir of short stories, takes readers on journeys through other-worldly 2003 UC $155.40/case (12) $15.00/case dimensions, into physical and emotional landscapes where many Cabernet Franc readers have not even begun to travel. This collection is available TOTAL at www.cfmbooks.com or by calling 1-888-571-2665. $1.00 per bottle will be donated to University College - orders may be a mix of the 4 wines * Should you choose to pick up your order at Stoney Ridge Estate Winery you and a guest will enjoy a complimentary VIP tour and tasting. Please call the retail store in Walter Bauer (1904-76) advance to book your wine tour (905) 562-1324 ext. 25* My path through life from Merseburg to Toronto: CUSTOMER INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT) A biography Name: _____________________________________________________ Gunter Hess provides a comprehensive study of the work of promi- Address: ____________________________________________________ nent 20th century German author Walter Bauer (UC ‘57), explor- City: _______________________ Province: _________ P. C.: _________ ing his motivations as well as his various life stages. Well known as Telephone: __________________ Email: __________________________ an author in Germany, Walter Bauer came to Canada in 1952. METHOD OF PAYMENT: Yarn Paintings of the Huichol o Cheque (made payable to Stoney Ridge Winery) Dr. Hope MacLean (UC ‘71) has written a new book, Yarn o Visa Paintings of the Huichol (Singing Deer Press, 2005), which o MasterCard beautifully illustrates her research among Huichol artists and o American Express shamans in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico.