A Book Lover's Delight: Deborah Tam
As she walked through the University College quad daily, former U of T research technician Deborah Tam (BSc 1976 UC) would look fondly at the UC Bookstore and think, “when I retire, I’ll volunteer there.”
Thirty years later, the chair of the UC Book Sale instead steered the book-lover toward the workroom, the basement space where the real work for the annual sale takes place. Volunteers sort and price all of the donations that arrive throughout the year.
Initially, Tam volunteered for two hours each week, but the work was seductive. Eventually, she was there all day twice a week. “I loved it,” Tam says. “When you open a donation box, it’s like Christmas or a birthday; you never know what you’ll find.”
The past 12 years have flown by as Tam took on increased responsibility, serving as chair of UC Books, overseeing the sale and the bookshop, and being the chair of the sale and workroom lead. "I feel a real sense of duty and responsibility,” Tam says.
Promoting Higher Education: Shanley Lee
Growing up in Toronto, Shanley Lee, the son of Chinese immigrants, saw how deeply his parents valued education.
Today, the successful entrepreneur and managing director of a market research company based in Greater China, Lee has honoured both his parents (above) and his alma mater through the Bing and Jane Lee Leadership Award at University College.
He created the annual award named after his parents in 2021 to provide a year’s tuition to a student who demonstrates both leadership and scholarship.
Recently, Lee has established four additional UC awards based solely on academic merit in the sciences, the arts and commerce, slated to make their debut this fall.
“I want to reward scholarship and leadership over time by building a community of the award winners,” says Lee, who meets with the awardees each year during visits to Toronto. “I want them to exchange ideas and make connections.”
A Helping Hand, Present & Future: Stan Griffin
Stan Griffin (BA 1972 UC) grew up on an Ontario farm in a family of modest means. Government loans, grants, and summer job savings made it possible for him to attend U of T.
“I was very fortunate,” Griffin says. “I benefited greatly from the assistance of others.”
Griffin earned a master’s degree at the University of Chicago, thanks to a full scholarship from the Ford Foundation. Once back in Toronto, he joined the Insurance Bureau of Canada as a researcher. More than 30 years later, he retired as the chief executive officer.
Griffin has designated UC in his will as a partial recipient of his assets, and he recently established the Stanley Griffin Award to assist Black and Indigenous UC students in their second and third years to reach their academic potential.
“I benefited from grants and scholarships in my education, and it was time well spent,” Griffin says. “I feel a responsibility to give back and support others who are in need.”
Sharing Her Expertise: Samina Sami
Samina Sami (BSc 1994 UC, MEd 2004) was honoured to be invited to serve as the alumni representative to the University College Council beginning in January 2025. She credits UC with opening her eyes to the myriad of possibilities life has to offer, professionally and personally.
“UC and U of T were formative places for me during my undergraduate years,” says Sami, a seasoned public sector executive. She has held leadership roles in government, higher education, and not-for-profits.
“My undergraduate years became my place of exploration. Although I was a science student, I joined clubs and engaged with all kinds of opportunities. Campus life and academics together shaped me. As I approached graduation, I knew I wanted to work in public service.”
Sami is looking forward to having an impact through the UC College Council.
“I am eager to assist the College in determining how best to serve students, especially commuter students like I was,” she says.
Mystery Solved: University College Door Handles
There are so many ways alumni have given back to University College, but none quite as unique as a mysterious package sent to the Office of Advancement in 2020.
Inside were two heavy, rusty rings and an anonymous letter that told the tale. One night in the mid-sixties, a UC student was out for a walk after a light snowfall. The main entry was under renovation, and the large front doors were lying under a light skiff of snow.
In a moment of self-professed “undergraduate silliness,” the writer pulled a prank and removed the ornate door handles from the doors.
Now, some 55 years later, that anonymous, silly undergraduate decided it was time to give them — the braided, metal rings pictured below — back to the College, proving the old adage “better late than never.”
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