Dear Friends of Massey,
This week we held an event to honour the children who did not return home from residential schools, as well as the survivors and their families and communities. It was very moving to hear the drumming and singing of Daniel Secord, from the Mississauga Nation of The Three Fires Confederacy People. Several college current and former Junior Fellows spoke, including Audrey Rochette (and her mother, Elder Shishigo Gijig), James Bird, and Riley Yesno. They conveyed the need for continued and specific work towards reconciliation and a hope for healing. Principal Orbinski pledged to continue the College’s work towards reconciliation.
(L-R) myself, Daniel Secord (drummer, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation), Pamela Klassen, alum Audrey Rochette, Elder Shishigo Gijig, Junior Fellow Riley Yesno, Dorothy Lee (MCFN), alum James Bird, Incoming Principal Dr. James Orbinski and Councillor Erma Ferrell.
I’ve also been contemplating that the mission at Massey, first and foremost, is to have our community engage in conversation, bridging the silos and solitudes of disciplines and the generations that are often part of modern society. One way we can accomplish this is by gathering here to share a meal and talk, and if you haven’t done that in a while, please make use of the ‘Massey is Lunch’ program to have friendly Junior Fellows greet you.
You can also connect by taking advantage of the beauty of Ondaatje Hall and free coffee from 7:30am – 5:30pm any day! Let’s call that Coffee at the College.
The Massey College Alumni Association met earlier this month, and I’m pleased to announce the new slate of positions:
- Marc Desormeaux – President
- Tanya d’Anger – Vice President
- Juliet Guichon – Communications Officer
- Alexander Kostenko – Treasurer
Members at Large:
- Andrea Geddes Poole
- Kim Kierans
- Divas Kapur
- Leah Morris
- James Greene
Congratulations all, it is wonderful to see so many engaged and committed Alumni.
MANDATORY FIRE DRILL & COLLEGE CLOSURE
- Friday, October 4 – We will have a fire drill and mandatory evacuation of the building between 10-11am. Residents and those with offices at the College, please review the attached document.
- Saturday, October 5 – Ondaatje Hall will be closed for dinner services. Fellows with meal plans will receive a credit on their Massey account.
OCTOBER PROGRAMMING
Tuesday, October 1 (4:00 – 6:00pm)
Meet the Visiting Scholars, Senior Residents, Chairs and Residents
You may not be aware that there are many programs at Massey that bring scholars from other universities here, as well as many different kinds of senior residents. This year, we also have one startup-company-in-residence, begun by a serial entrepreneur and former Junior Fellow. Come and take the opportunity to meet these fascinating fellows and senior residents.
Friday, October 4 (4:00pm)
CBC Massey Lectures Book Launch with Ian Williams
Every fall, Massey College hosts the book launch of the CBC Massey Lectures. Join us for a special reading, book signing and reception for the 2024 CBC Massey Lecturer Professor Ian Williams.
Saturday, October 5 (3:00-4:30pm)
Hymn Festival
On behalf of John Fraser, you’re invited to sing your favourite hymns with the Choir of St. Thomas.
Monday, October 7 (8:00pm)
Book Club – The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
The Book Club kicks off a wonderful term of reading, discussion and community. Join in person following formal dinner or via Zoom. Find available reading copies in the Upper Library or via the RSVP page. See full reading list.
Tuesday, October 8 (9:00am) | Couchiching Annual Conference on Diplomacy (OFFSITE)
Hosted by the Canadian International Council in partnership with the Aga Khan Museum, you are invited to attend. More information here.
Tuesday, October 8 (5:00-7:00pm)
Book Launch– May it Have a Happy Ending by Minelle Mahtani
Join us for the launch where the author, Senior Fellow Minelle Mahtani, will be in conversation with Writer-in-Residence Alum David Chariandy.
Wednesday, October 9 (4:00 – 6:00pm)
Book Launch – Lloyd Axworthy: My Life in Politics
Join the launch of Lloyd Axworthy’s memoir where he will be in conversation with Senior Fellow Janice Stein speaking on foreign policy. Reception to follow.
Thursday, October 10 (6:00pm)
Book Launch – The Science of Human Possibilities by V. Kumar Murty
Senior Fellow V. Kumar Murty’s book about Vedanta philosophy and discovering your innermost talents is the first published by the Sutherland House Experts press launched by Senior Fellow Neil Seeman. Senior Fellow Carolyn Tuohy will be providing opening remarks.
Tuesday, October 15 (4:00 – 5:30pm)
Massey Dialogues – AI Infiltrating Our Daily Lives: A Social Good or Potential Harm?
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly infiltrating our daily lives, with the aim to improve societal inefficiencies and/or improve human decision-making. Panelists Drs. Shion Guha and Jessie Hall discuss harms that may arise from AI technologies that directly impact life outcomes and how one may mitigate these harms to design human-centered AI for social good in conversation with Junior Fellow Erina Moon.
Wednesday, October 16 (8:00pm)
Music Salon – Keepers of the Fire: New traditions in Indigenous music
Indigenous artists are creating some of the most exciting music in Canada today, blending traditional culture with a wide spectrum of contemporary genres to give voice to their communities, their stories, their truth.
Join us as we open a new season of Music Salons with Unity, a quartet of Indigenous women based in Peterborough. Using only percussion instruments and their own voices, they perform a mix of original contemporary music and traditional Indigenous songs, with their own haunting harmonies.
Friday, October 18 (6:00pm) | Indigenous Heritage High Table
You are invited to join us at the Indigenous Heritage High Table. We will convene to celebrate Indigenous peoples and communities in our College community and beyond. Gather over a delicious meal as we introduce new fellows, scholars, and community members.
Monday, October 21 | Intentional Leadership: The Big 8 Capabilities Setting Leaders Apart
Join Quadrangle Society Member and author Rose Patten who will be in conversation with Senior Fellow Sarah Kaplan discussing themes from Intentional Leadership.
RSVP – First 40 people to attend get a free copy of the book.
Tuesday, October 22 (11:45am-2:00pm) | Senior Fellow Luncheon with Carolyn Tuohy
Join us for a fantastic lunch and a lecture entitled Quest, venture or crusade: how narratives shaped the science advising process during COVID-19 by Senior Fellow Carolyn Tuohy followed by an audience Q&A. See full abstract and RSVP by October 18. All members of the College and their guests are welcome to attend. Junior Fellows interested, please email Alyssa.
Wednesday, October 23 (6:30pm) | Alumni Dinner for the 1978-1984 Cohort
Come and connect with your cohort. We will host several Alumni dinners throughout 2024-2025. If you are not able to make your cohort’s dinner, please attend any other you’d like.
- November 20 (2005-2014)
- January 22 (1985-1994)
- February 12 (2015-2024)
- March 5 (1995-2004)
- March 26 (1962-1974)
Be sure to select the date you are planning to attend. Winter term registration will be available later on in the term. RSVP.
Tuesday, October 29 (7:00pm) | CBC Massey Lectures (OFFSITE)
The Massey Lectures are co-sponsored by CBC Radio, House of Anansi Press, and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The series was created in honour of the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, former Governor General of Canada, and was inaugurated in 1961 to provide a forum on radio where major contemporary thinkers could address important issues of our time.
The 2024 CBC Massey Lectures, What I Mean to Say: Remaking Conversation in Our Time by Professor Ian Williams will take place across Canada in October 2024.
The lectures will be broadcast in November 2024 as part of CBC Radio’s Ideas series.
PURCHASE KOERNER HALL TICKETS HERE
I want to mention two upcoming Osgoode Hall events that may be of interest:
- Thursday, October 10: Lecture: “Will America’s President Be a National Security Threat?”
- Friday, October 11: Workshop on transnational corporate liability
COMMUNITY NEWS
AWARDS
- In celebration of the 2024 International Youth Day, new Junior Fellow Obinna Ezeani, was awarded as one of 10 African Youths in Digital Health by Digital Health Africa – an emerging community of African digital health professionals on a mission to promote the digital health agenda in Africa through improving access to information and community engagement.
- Junior Fellow Alum Leighton Schreyer was shortlisted for Prism International’s 2024 CNF (creative non-fiction) Contest for their piece “Myths of Mother Nature.”
Congratulations Obinna and Leighton!
NEWS
- I share with you a recent piece in the Globe and Mail that is the result of the March 8 Silenced Voices: Gender Persecution and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan and Iran conference held at Massey – many thanks to Senior Fellow and Massey Chair in Human Rights Payam Akhavan for spearheading this effort.
- Senior Fellow Randy Boyagoda talks to the CBC about civil discourse on University campuses.
- Senior Fellow Dan Breznitz writes about Canada’s productivity crisis.
- In August 2024, Junior Fellow Obinna Ezeani published a blog post with the Diana Award UK.
- Senior Fellow Ann Jervis’ recently published book, Paul and Time, is covered here and here.
- Senior Fellow Shoshanna Saxe talks to CTV about the proposed tunnel for under the 401, watch it here.
- Read Senior Fellow Neil Seeman’s latest piece in the Times of Israel – Reflecting on “Pirkei Avot” in my “Who is wise? One who learns from every person.” Read it here.
See you soon – at lunch, dinner or now, Coffee at the College!
Jonathan
P.S. A Reminder that applications are open for the non-credit writing workshop led by our 2025 Jack McClelland Writer-in-Residence, George F. Walker. Please see this attachment for application instructions.
