The Alumni of Influence Awards celebrates the contributions and worldwide impact of University College’s most exceptional alumni. This year’s reception, hosted by Global News’ Liem Vu (UC 2009) on January 15, 2025 at UC, celebrated nine UC alumni who are making the world a better place with their extraordinary talents in the fields of public policy, academics, law, medicine and the arts.
2023/24 UC Alumni of Influence Award Recipients
Maev Beaty
Dr. B. Ralph Chou
Laurie Dennett
Dr. Julie Drolet
Professor Amir Hussain, PhD
Judge Maryka Omatsu
Dr. Rajiv Singal
2023/24 Young Alumni of Influence Recipients
Uma Kalkar
Diana Lam
Maev Beaty
Who Maev Beaty, UC Drama Program 1995-1999
In brief Critically acclaimed and sought-after actor, writer, creator and voice-over artist, Maev Beaty was first cast in a professional acting role while an undergraduate at U of T. Beaty has interpreted roles on stage and screen, including performances for the Stratford Festival, Soulpepper, Crow’s Theatre, Apple TV and CBC, to name a few.
In the nominator’s words “Maev is rightly celebrated for her brilliant acting, but I was equally impressed with her general critical intelligence, her sensitivity, and her spontaneous inventiveness.”
Achievements Beaty is a three-time Dora Award winner and ten-time nominee.
Dr. B. Ralph Chou
Who Dr. B. Ralph Chou, BSc 1973 UC
In brief Professor Emeritus of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Chou had a special interest in safety in school science labs. In addition to his professional work, he is a longtime volunteer of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and was heavily involved in a project with the U of T Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics to give students access to an automated telescope, enhancing students’ ability to do real astronomical work in new facilities.
In the nominator’s words “His many professional and voluntary roles take advantage of his excellent communication skills, diplomacy, attention to detail, and leadership.”
Achievements Dr. Chou was a leader in the development of “eclipse glasses,” which were used by millions of Canadians and Americans to safely view the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse.
Laurie Dennett
Who Laurie Dennett, BA 1969 UC
In brief Teacher, pilgrim, fundraiser and community-builder, Laurie Dennett has authored many non-fiction books. Originally working as an independent historian writing corporate histories, Dennett rose to prominence when she completed pilgrimages from Chartres, France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, from London to Rome, and from Canterbury to Jerusalem.
In the nominator’s words “She is a woman of action. She is a woman of influence.”
Achievements Dennett’s three pilgrimages raised an estimated $500,000 for to for Multiple Sclerosis research in Canada, the UK and countries she walked through.
Dr. Julie Drolet
Who Dr. Julie Drolet, BA 1994 UC
In brief An internationally recognized expert in disaster social work, University of Calgary professor Dr. Julie Drolet critically examines disaster recovery processes and practices in Canada and internationally, with the goal of contributing to a more nuanced understanding of resilience in post-disaster contexts based on social action and social justice approaches. Her research related to the 2013 floods and 2016 wildfires in Alberta contributed to a greater understanding of the socio-economic and mental health impacts of these disasters on children and youth.
In the nominator’s words “She has mobilized her research to deliver a significant positive impact on society, developing new connections and building capacity towards the shared goal of rebuilding lives and communities’ post-disaster.”
Achievements Dr. Drolet has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, reports, and book chapters, along with eight books (one in press), and in 1993-94 she was elected External Commissioner of the UC Literary and Athletic Society.
Professor Amir Hussain, PhD
Who Professor Amir Hussain, BSc 1987 UC
In brief A preeminent scholar of religion, Professor Amir Hussain is renowned for his work as a teacher, an editor, and as an author. Originally from the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto and the first in his family to attend university, Professor Hussain balances work as Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University with writing and editing scholarly works on understanding Islam in America. Hussain has acted as advisor on many television series, including appearances in The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, and The UnXplained with William Shatner.
In the nominator’s words “This son of working-class immigrants who worked in factories is now a university professor. That makes him one of the many UC success stories.”
Achievements Hussain is the first Muslim to be elected president of the American Academy of Religion and is the editor-in-chief of the forthcoming Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam in the Modern World.
The Hon. Maryka Omatsu
Who Judge Maryka Omatsu, BA 1971 UC
In brief Born in Hamilton in 1948 to parents who had been expelled earlier that year from British Columbia, Maryka Omatsu was in 1993 the first woman of East Asian descent to be appointed a judge in Canada. Prior to her appointment, Omatsu specialised as a civil rights lawyer, helping Black immigrants working as nannies gain a path to Canadian citizenship, assisting First Nations people in their effort to prevent the building of nuclear reactors in James Bay, Ontario, and chairing the Ontario Human Rights Appeals’ Tribunal.
In the nominator’s words “Omatsu’s work includes helping to guide those who experience or witness acts of hatred or bias.”
Achievements Her 1992 novel documenting the struggle of the National Association of Japanese Canadians’ movement to win redress for treatment by the Government of Canada, Bittersweet Passage, won the Prime Minister’s Award for Publishing and the Laura Jamieson Prize for “best feminist book.”
Dr. Rajiv Singal
Who Dr. Rajiv Singal, UC Alumnus 1984-86
In brief Currently Surgeon-in-Chief at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) where his specialty is urology, Dr. Rajiv Singal has been a leader in surgical innovation in Toronto and helped build surgical capacity in the developing world. Dr. Singal introduced the da Vinci Surgical System — a four-armed surgical machine — to doctors in Toronto, resulting in reduced health risks associated with surgery as well as improved costs and healings times. Dr. Singal is an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at U of T and supervises the Clinical Endourology Fellowship program at MGH.
In the nominator’s words “Dr. Singal’s work here at home as well as his dedication to global medical outreach initiatives has made an immeasurable difference to countless numbers of patients.”
Achievements Dr. Singal’s volunteer efforts in Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda have helped build urologic capacity, helping the number of qualified surgeons in Malawi go from zero to an estimated nine by 2027.
YOUNG ALUMNI OF INFLUENCE
Uma Kalkar
Who Uma Kalkar, BSc 2020 UC, Young Alumni of Influence winner
In brief At only twenty-five years of age, Uma Kalkar is a significant figure amongst her peers at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, as well as with young voter populations across the US, and international artificial intelligence researchers. While completing master’s degrees at both the Munk School at U of T and Sciences Po in Paris, Kalkar led data-based initiatives at 18by Vote to drive youth to register to vote in the US. Kalkar currently advises the OECD on risks associated with emerging technologies such as AI and biotechnology.
In the nominator’s words “Uma Kalkar is what all universities want from their alumni and what many alumni aspire to be – someone who does not wait to pursue excellence and follow their passions.”
Achievements Kalkar’s innovative work at 18by Vote was so widespread and successful that the group was recognized by Trevor Noah and the Daily Show.
Diana Lam
Who Diana Lam, BSc 2022 UC, Young Alumni of Influence winner
In brief A strong advocate for balancing mental health with post-secondary studies, Diana Lam is an influential leader who has made meaningful impact on students across UTSG. As Commuter Orientation Chair, she managed a two-day remote program for 154 first-year commuter students, ensuring they acquired the resources, community-building, and mentors they needed to ease into university life. Lam has meticulously worked to reduce barriers facing marginalized and minoritized students, connecting them to mentors, resources and opportunities to breakdown educational barriers.
In the nominator’s words “Diana is helping to build a more equitable society where everyone can leverage the tools they need to succeed.”
Achievements Lam recently graduated with a Masters of Teaching from OISE, focusing her studies into how stressful school environments and stress culture impact student mental health.