I am very excited that Massey is a key site at this year’s Doors Open Toronto, and that we are rated the #1 site by many. We need volunteers to come and help show the public our beautiful college! Please contact Matt Glandfield to let him know what times you are available to help on May 25 + 26. Lunch will be provided.
At the year-end BBQ last month, our outgoing Don of Hall Robbie Steele announced the recipients of two special Junior Fellow prizes.
The Morris Wayman Prize is awarded annually to one or several Junior Fellows who have done the most to communicate their work to the Massey community, crossing interdisciplinary boundaries and explaining the importance of what they do and why. The prize is named for University of Toronto chemical engineer Professor Morris Wayman. His son, poet Tom Wayman, was a Massey Writer-in-Residence in 1996, and he set up the award in honour of his father. This year’s recipients are Michael O’Keefe and Setayesh Yazdani.
The Moira Whalon Prize recognizes one or several Junior Fellows who, more than anyone, have embodied the spirit and the ethos of the college. Moira Whalon (who I knew well in my time as a Junior Fellow) was a long-time assistant to Robertson Davies and one of the great unsung heroes of the Massey College story. She was the first Secretary of Corporation, a friend and champion of the Junior Fellows, instrumental in the founding of the Alumni Association, and worked tirelessly to support the Massey community. This year, the prize was awarded to Aditi Maheshwari and Ben Pulver.
Congratulations Michael, Setayesh, Aditi and Ben!
ACCESSIBILITY UPDATE
Currently, our elevator is not in service and may take a few weeks to repair. Staff will make every effort to make events accessible and notices will go out for any location changes on site. If you have any questions, please call or email the Porter.
SAVE THE DATE
Massey College Alumni Association (MCAA) AGM and BBQ is taking place on July 27. Families are welcome. RSVP.
Come to have some great food and drink, reconnect with the College and the broader community, and hear updates on the state of the Alumni Association.
From the MCAA:
We encourage everyone interested to consider running for the MCAA Council by submitting a nomination form – we have three positions opening up, and we look forward to having you on our team as we revitalize the Alumni and their place at Massey!
Finally, we would also like to solicit project proposals for the MCAA Fund – an initiative modelled on the JFI and QCF that seeks to increase the agency of Alumni in shaping Massey’s physical plant and activity offerings.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 15 | Massey Dialogues – Forging a Way Forward: Navigating China-Canada Relations Amidst 2024’s Uncertainties
Join us for the final Massey Dialogues of the term hosted by the Canada China Forum. Leading experts, practitioners and thought-leaders will delve into China’s global presence, the complex bilateral ties between the two nations, and explore strategies to navigate political, economic, social and environmental uncertainties. Gain tangible insights as the panel discusses diplomatic approaches, economic collaboration and competition, and the future trajectory of this evolving relationship. RSVP.
May 28 | Book Launch: Out of Darkness by Denise Chong
A gripping story of a domestic assault that shocked the world, of the exercise of power and political influence, and of the Bangladeshi woman whose irrepressible spirit found light in sudden darkness. Author Denise Chong will be in conversation with Rumana Monzur. RSVP.
May 29 | The Massey Essay: Discussing The Trust Spiral
Declining trust in the media is a pressing issue in this country and in recent months news leaders have begun trying to unpack the trend. This year’s Massey Essay on the state of the media offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how this downward spiral in trust took place – and how the media might begin to restore faith in its work.
Massey College and the Literary Review of Canada are pleased to present a conversation on this important topic, featuring current affairs journalist and podcaster Tara Henley. RSVP.
COMMUNITY NEWS
AWARDS
- Junior Fellow Katrina Carver has been selected as one of York University’s Top 30 Under 30 Alumni.
- Junior Fellow Alison D’Cruz received the Graduate Student Research Award from the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.
- William Southam Journalism Alumni Nana aba Duncan has been awarded an FPA Excellence Award from the Faculty of Public Affairs at Carleton University.
Congratulations Katrina, Alison and Nana aba!
NEW POSTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
- Senior Fellow Joyce Poon is taking up a position in a new startup technology firm, LightMatter. Professor Poon will be heading up a Toronto unit of the company as Head of Photonics Architecture. She will also maintain her research group in the University of Toronto Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, but is relinquishing her position as Director of the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics.
- Senior Fellow Alexie Tcheuyap will join the University of Waterloo as Dean of the Faculty of Arts! Read more here about his appointment.
Congratulations Joyce and Alexie!
NEWS
- Senior Fellow Anita Anand was profiled in The Globe and Mail. Read it here.
- Read Senior Fellow Peter Biro’s latest piece in the Globe and Mail.
- Senior Fellow Randy Boyagoda in the Times Higher Education.
- Alum Marc Desormeaux was interviewed today on the April 2024 Canadian jobs numbers on CBC News.
- Senior Fellow Miriam Diamond finds forever chemicals in water, household objects and more in CTV. She also comments on safe mattresses in Forbes.
- Quadrangle Society Member Alison Garwood-Jones was interviewed in the Hamilton Spectator on her latest book, grief and Mother’s Day.
- Senior Fellow Allison McGeer talks to CBC regarding the Bird Flu.
- Senior Fellow Shawn Micaleff is launching a revised edition of his book Stroll at Lula Lounge on May 22 – RSVP here.
- Senior Fellow Akwasi Owusu-Bempah quoted on CTV news.
- Alum Zaheda Rahemtullah’s play The Wrong Bashir will be launching later this month at The Crow’s Nest Theatre.
Use code BASHIR25 and get a special 25% discount on General Admission Adult and Seniors. Valid only between May 21 to June 2. Get 2-4-1, 2 tickets for the price of 1: Use code WRONG241 to buy General Admission Adult and Senior tickets. Valid between May 21-26. Group bookings of 8+ receive a 20% discount. To book contact the box office at (647) 341-7390. Buy tickets here.
- Zaheda is also participating in a free event at Crow’s Nest on June 2 – RSVP.
- Junior Fellow Rena Roussin was published in Vancouver Opera.
- Junior Fellow Leighton Schreyer has co-published in Value in Health. Read it here.
- Senior Fellow Samir Sinha quoted in the St. Catherine’s Standard.
- Read Senior Fellow Armine Yalnizyan’s recent op-ed in the Toronto Star here.
A reminder that the College is closed on Monday, May 20 in observance of Victoria Day. I hope you all have a great long weekend, and I will be back in touch closer to the end of the month.
See you soon!
Jonathan
P.S. The Book Club Committee would like your input! Complete the survey to suggest titles that you would like to discuss in the fall / winter.
