IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE and joy that I welcome you to this edition of UC Magazine, in which we showcase some of UC’s interdisciplinary academic programs and the talented leaders behind them. As you will read in these pages, their passion for education and commitment to excellence in their respective fields have enriched the experiences not only of students enrolled in our signature programs, but also of those across the College and beyond.
For example, take the innovations in Health Studies under the leadership of director Colleen Dockstader, including the intergenerational classroom initiative, which brings together students and seniors to explore topical issues such as aging, the health-care system, and medical assistance in dying.
Meet Ange Loft, a multi-disciplinary performing artist, arts advocate, and the Barker Fairley Distinguished Visitor in Canadian Studies at UC. Ange's groundbreaking work defies genres and pushes boundaries, embodying the creativity and courage that we strive to foster in our students.
We also celebrate the appointment of Larissa Lai as the Richard Charles Lee Chair in Chinese Canadian Studies. A novelist and literary critic, Larissa joins UC as one of the nation’s foremost experts in Asian Canadian literary studies.
Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Sali Tagliamonte, who will take the helm of University College as acting principal from July 2024 through June 2025, while I am on administrative leave to catch up on my research. Sali is not only a distinguished linguistics professor, but also a former colleague of mine from our days as departmental chairs, and I am confident that her leadership and expertise will serve our community well.
Thus, UC will be in the best of hands in a time when vibrant student life thrives within our halls. From the busy study spaces in the Clark Reading Room to the bustling UC Commuter Student Centre, our campus is alive with student activity and community. These spaces—some recently revitalized, others still awaiting gentle upgrades—serve as hubs of learning and collaboration, nurturing the intellectual curiosity and collective spirit that has defined our College since its earliest days.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and dedication to University College. Your achievements and contributions as alumni continue to inspire us all, and I look forward to connecting with you when I return for my second term as principal. Until then, wishing you continued success and fulfilment in all your endeavours.