Looking back: highlights from UTM over the past year
As 2023 draws to a close at the University of Toronto Mississauga, it’s a good chance to look back on 12 months of firsts, launches, new faces and celebrations.
Game Studies program launches with Day of Play
The UTM Day of Play saw the campus transformed into a day-long play zone last month with stations for giant Jenga blocks, video games, hopscotch, an inflatable obstacle course and even a storytelling hub. It was all to officially launch a new game studies program in English & drama and the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology, and to spotlight recently acquired gaming-related materials from the UTM Library. A symposium on the impact of games on society, with panel discussions and a reception, rounded out the day.
As one of the only undergraduate programs in North America to focus on both the creation and analysis of games, game studies at UTM prepares students for graduate-level study and the game production industry.
Learn more about UTM’s game studies program
All-Nations Powwow hosted on campus
An estimated 1,500 people turned out for the inaugural All-Nations Powwow in March, co-hosted by UTM's Indigenous Centre and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN).
The event reflected UTM's increasing commitment to Indigenous issues on campus and its progress on goals to meet U of T’s Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee Report, Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin. The Powwow featured a full program of traditional singing and dancing, spotlighting a Grand Entry ceremony as well as intertribal, spot, jingle dress and exhibition dances.
Tipi and Teaching Lodge raised at UTM
Nestled on a quiet spot in the trees just off Principal’s Road is UTM’s Tipi and teaching lodge.
Students, staff, faculty and librarians of the UTM community raised the structures in September as part of the UTM Indigenous Centre’s student orientation event. The lodge is a first for the campus.
The Tipi, which is expected to remain on site for two years, will be used for ceremonies, programming, events and classes, while the larger lodge will be used as a teaching space. The UTM Office of Indigenous Initiatives works to mobilize reconciliation on campus and one of the ways they’re doing so is by creating spaces that are reflective of Indigenous community.
Another sign of Indigeneity on campus: During Pride Month in June, UTM displayed, for the first time, a spirit flag alongside the Progress Pride flag, lent by 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations.
Saluting academic authorship at the Celebration of Books
In October, the ninth annual Celebration of Books took place on campus, with UTM’s latest authors and editors gathering to speak about their work.
For the first time in recent years, the event was held in person, celebrating publications from two dozen faculty members.
SEE UTM program dismantles barriers for Black youth
Graduates of the first cohort of the Support, Engage, Experience (SEE) University of Toronto Mississauga, an innovative program that makes university education more accessible to Black youths, celebrated their accomplishments in January.
The program builds off the SEE U of T program operating on the St. George campus. SEE UTM allows grade 11 and 12 students to earn a university half credit and two Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits, have a co-op experience and be mentored by a senior UTM undergrad student while simultaneously completing their high school semester.
Professor Nicholas Rule takes on new role as dean
Nicholas Rule, UTM’s vice-principal, academic and dean, officially took his new role this summer. Rule, who identifies as gay, is a stalwart advocate of equity, diversity and inclusion. As an academic who came from humble beginnings, Rule is passionate about assisting people who are financially disadvantaged. One of his objectives during his four-year term is to foster a community comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds, particularly those who come from a lower socioeconomic standing. Learn more about UTM’s Dean Rule.
Little Amal visits convocation ceremony
There was a special guest at a UTM convocation ceremony this spring: Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee created by puppeteers Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones to symbolize human rights. Kohler and Jones received honorary degrees at a UTM convocation ceremony.
Wearing a mortarboard created by alumna Ashley Regimbal-Kung, Amal visited her creators and members of the public before the ceremony as she visited the St. George campus.
John Bond graduates at age 76
Proof that you’re never too old to learn, John Bond picked up a degree in history – at age 76 – as UTM’s oldest spring 2023 grad.
This was his third U of T graduation, having picked up two engineering degrees. An avid traveller, Bond discovered a love of history and, with support from his wife Lynda, embarked on studies at UTM. It took 12 years, but Bond crossed the stage in June – to thunderous applause. Read more about Bond’s story.
Helen Clark receives honorary degree
A leader known for championing equity, sustainability and health, Helen Clark served three terms as prime minister of New Zealand. Only the second woman to hold that office (and the first to have been elected), Clark appointed a record number of Māori and women MPs to top roles in government and placed equity at the centre of her policymaking. She later served as head of the United Nations Development Programme.
At a ceremony in November, Clark received an honorary degree from U of T.
In her speech to UTM’s new alumni, she said young people often ask her what they should study. “My answer always is, "study a subject about which you are passionate and which can sustain your interest."
Esteemed zoologist Anne Innis Dagg shares love of giraffes at 2023 Snider Lecture
This year’s Snider Lecturer, also an honorary degree recipient, imparted advice remarkably similar to that of Clark; famed zoologist Anne Innis Dagg advised the next generation of conservationists to “get involved in whatever your passion is.”
The two-time U of T alumna’s lifelong passion has been giraffes and this fall, she shared that love and expertise as part of the 2023 Snider Lecture. The annual event included the screening of an award-winning documentary followed by a pre-recorded question-and-answer session with the founder of giraffe science.
SpinUp launches as U of T’s first wet lab incubator for life science start-ups
In June, UTM began addressing a critical gap in the Greater Toronto Area’s life science entrepreneurship pipeline – providing affordable wet lab space dedicated to early-stage founders with SpinUP. SpinUp offers early-stage life science start-ups access to outstanding wet lab space, equipment, and expertise as part of U of T’s network of innovation accelerators.
SpinUp is part of the new science building, which is opening soon and is also the future home of the Centre for Medicinal Chemistry.