Unsupported Browser

Your Browser is out of date and is not supported by this website.
Please upgrade to Firefox, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge.

CLASSnotes

NEWS FROM CLASSMATES NEAR AND FAR
Photo of Canadian  Supreme Court Justice ROSALIE  SILBERMAN ABELLA (BA 1967  UC)

Recently retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice ROSALIE SILBERMAN ABELLA (BA 1967 UC) is the first Canadian jurist to be appointed to a named chair at Harvard Law School. Abella will serve as the Samuel LL.M. '55 S.J.D. '59 and Judith Pisar Visiting Professor of Law effective July 1, 2022, serving an initial three-year term.

Blue Flame Pendant and Spring Goddess Earrings

ANITA AGRAWAL (BSc 2000 UC) and a colleague won three international jewellery design awards in INSTORE magazine's annual 2021 design competition: second place in the judges' selection and Retailer's Choice Award in the "Best Earring Over $5,000 Category" for their Spring Goddess Earrings and the Retailer's Choice Award in the "Colored Stone Jewelry Over $5,000 Category" for their Blue Flame Pendant. Agrawal's jewellery brand is called Jewels 4 Ever.

Photo of ED CLARK (BA 1969 UC)

ED CLARK (BA 1969 UC) was chosen in May 2021 as deputy chair of the board of directors for Spin Master Corp., a global children's entertainment company. Clark, the CEO of TD Bank Group prior to retirement, and his wife are the generous donors behind UC's revitalized Ed and Frances Clark Reading Room.

Book Cover The Ecological Constitution

LYNDA COLLINS (BA 1997 UC), a professor at the University of Ottawa, is the author of a new book, The Ecological Constitution, which considers whether a constitution should try to protect the ecological foundations of society. Her book integrates the insights of environmental constitutionalism and ecological law in a concise, engaging and accessible manner.

Physician ARMIN FOGHI (BSc 1994 UC) has joined La Jolla Vein Care in California.
Dr. Foghi is a vein specialist and recognized invasive/non-invasive cardiologist.

Book cover of Too Much Slime!

Children's book author FRANCES GILBERT (BA 1992 UC), the New York-based vice-president and editor-in-chief for Doubleday Books for Young Readers, gave a special reading of her book Too Much Slime! especially for UC alumni and their families on its Alumni Instagram page in August.

SABRINA HAO (BSc 2007 UC) was appointed as Head of Asia and member of the advisory board for GameSquare Esports, an international gaming and esports company headquartered in Toronto. Hao is a seasoned entrepreneur with deep expertise in global business development.

Photo of BRUCE KIDD (BA 1965 UC)

BRUCE KIDD (BA 1965 UC) was named a recipient of the 2021 Vivek Goel Faculty Citizenship Award. This award recognizes a faculty member who has served the University of Toronto with distinction in multiple leadership capacities over many years, and Kidd certainly fits that bill. He joined the U of T's Department of Physical Education as a lecturer in 1970. In 1990, Kidd earned his PhD and was named Dean of the faculty in 1998. In 2014, he was appointed the 10th principal of the University of Toronto Scarborough. Throughout his illustrious career at the U of T, Kidd has been a constant proponent of inclusion and the former Olympian is also a leader for inclusion in sport.

Photo of Bing and Jane Lee

UC is pleased to announced that SHANLEY LEE (BCOM 1981 UC) has established the Bing and Jane Lee Leadership Award at University College. This endowed award honours the legacy of Shanley's parents, Bing and Jane Lee, who exemplified humility, curiosity, and scholarship during their lives. It will reward UC students who make outstanding leadership contributions to University College and the University of Toronto community. Recipients will be UC student leaders with high academic achievement and peer mentoring experience. The award will cover a year's tuition and will be granted on an annual basis. A heartfelt thank you to Shanley Lee for this exciting and thoughtful award!

SONIA LAWRENCE (BA 1995 UC), a professor at Osgoode Hall at York University, received a 2021 Osgoode Hall Law School Teaching and Service Award. The awards honour those who, through innovation and commitment, have significantly enhanced the quality of learning at Osgoode.

JANE LIPSON (BSc 1978 UC), the Albert W. Smith Professor of Chemistry, was appointed an Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Dartmouth College, beginning July 1, 2021. She will oversee six academic departments; the Neukom Institute for Computational Science; and the research and fellowship operations of Undergraduate Advising and Research.

Book cover of Stone Buildings in the Kingston  Region 1790-1930

JENNIFER MCKENDRY (BA 1968 UC) has just published Kingston, the Limestone City: Stone Buildings in the Kingston Region 1790-1930, a book that explores Kingston's reliance on the stone forming its bedrock, a practice that mainly occurred during the 19th century.

Photo of LORNE MICHAELS (BA 1966 UC)

Television producer and screenwriter LORNE MICHAELS (BA 1966 UC), executive producer of Saturday Night Live, has been named as one of the 2021 recipients of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. His 93 Emmy Award® nominations are the most ever for an individual and his television executive producer's credits include The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, 30 Rock, Portlandia, and Kids in the Hall. Michaels received UC's Alumni of Influence Award in 2012.

Photo of CARMEN ROSSITER (BCOM 1979 UC)

CARMEN ROSSITER (BCOM 1979 UC), a member of the Senior Advisory Panel to the Auditor General, was named to a one-year term as one of the first three non-physicians ever chosen as members of the Ontario Medical Association's board of directors.

Photo of PIRANAVAN SELVANANDAN (BSc 2003 UC)

PIRANAVAN SELVANANDAN (BSc 2003 UC) was named as vice-president of engineering for Flowspace, a leading fulfilment technology platform. Selvanandan has a decade of experience leading engineering teams.

Book cover of Pharo and the Clever Assassin

STEVE SKURKA (BA 1978 UC) has written his first legal thriller, Pharo and the Clever Assassin, a historical novel focusing on the assassination of former United States President William McKinley in 1901. Skurka's debut novel is published by Atmosphere Press.

Photo of baby Jasmine Ayaree Ramessar

UC Special Events Supervisor MAHEESHA RAMESSAR (UC 2011) and her husband are the proud parents of a potential future UC student, Jasmine Ayranee Ramessar, born in May 2021.

Photos of PAULA SMELLIE

PAULA SMELLIE (BSc 1993 UC), business manager for the Department of Physiology, was the recipient of U of T's Ludwik and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize, Emerging Leader, for 2021. She contributes to many initiatives, including co-chairing the Department of Physiology's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and co-chairing the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Sub-Committee of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine's Group on Business Affairs.

Photo of MICHAEL TEES (BA 1989 UC)

Financial services professional MICHAEL TEES (BA 1989 UC) was appointed for a four-year term to the board of directors of Farm Credit Canada, a federal Crown corporation. Tees has more than 25 years of experience in corporate banking and risk management.

Geologist and mining executive NICHOLAS TINTOR (BSc 1980 UC) was named executive director of the board for Bald Eagle Gold Corp., which focuses on mining, exploration, and development. Tintor is president and CEO of RG Investments Inc, a private investment company.

Photo of NADIA TODOROVA (BA 2009 UC)

NADIA TODOROVA (BA 2009 UC) was named executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), a leading industry advocate for infrastructure investment and labour management. Previously, Todorova headed up the government relations efforts at the RCCAO.

Photo of LIEM VU

Global News co-host LIEM VU (BA 2009 UC) interviewed fellow alumnus PAUL SUNHYUNG LEE (1994 UC), a star of Kim's Convenience and The Mandalorian, about how the film and entertainment industry has contributed to Asian racism's roots in the Western world, as part of an in-depth Global News report regarding the rise of anti-Asian racism since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviews are available on Vu's Instagram feed.

Certified accountant MING BUN DAVID WONG (BCOM 1995 UC) was named an executive director of the board for Goldbond Group Holdings Ltd. He joined the company as chief executive officer in 2019 and has more than 20 years of professional capital market, financial investment and asset management experience.

Photo of ELAINE YEDLIN (BSc 2008 UC)

Actuary ELAINE YEDLIN (BSc 2008 UC) was appointed vice-president of corporate benefits for the Corporate Benefits Division of Johnston Shaw Inc, an insurance and financial services provider. Yedlin is an associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries.