Principal’s Message
The Junior Fellows are back, as is the full Massey community, for the exciting academic year ahead. Energy and joy were on full display all last week with orientation events, the welcome reception, our first High Table of the year (with special guest speaker President Melanie Woodin), which was followed by the traditional “baptism” in the Pond of our new Don of Hall, Margie de Leon!
Most evident has been the joyful curiosity of our Junior Fellows who are very clearly committed to the Public Good through their studies and collaborations.
You are always welcome to join in the vibrant life of the College – check our website weekly (or daily!), as well as this newsletter, to keep abreast of events and opportunities.
Looking forward to seeing you here soon,
James Orbinski
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, September 18 | 5:00-7:00pm
Junior Common Room, Massey College
CBC Massey Lectures Launch
Join us to celebrate the launch of the book edition of the lecture series.
The event will feature brief remarks from House of Anansi Press, the CBC Ideas team, and author Alex Neve. Following the program, light refreshments will be served, and a book signing will take place.
Friday, September 19 | 7:00-9:00pm
Koerner Hall, Toronto
CBC Massey Lectures – Toronto Lecture
Be part of the opening night of this year’s lecture series in Toronto. This event marks the beginning of a five-lecture cross-Canada tour.
Some tickets are still available—visit the Koerner Hall Box Office to purchase.
All lectures will be recorded and later broadcast on CBC Ideas this fall.
Monday, September 22 | 4:00–6:00pm
Junior Common Room, Massey College
Meet the Incoming William Southam Journalism Fellows
Join us at Massey College for a special reception to welcome the incoming 2025 William Southam Journalism Fellows — a dynamic group of accomplished reporters, editors, and producers from across Canada and around the world.
Monday, September 29 | 4:00-6:00pm
Junior Common Room, Massey College
Meet the Incoming Visiting Scholars at Massey College
Massey College is proud to partner each year with four Ontario universities to welcome academics on sabbatical. As Visiting Scholars, they are provided with space and the opportunity to engage in our vibrant scholarly community. In turn, they enrich the life of the College, bringing diverse perspectives that strengthen our interdisciplinary fabric.
Join us to meet this year’s Visiting Scholars and hear more about their sabbatical projects.
Tuesday, September 30 | 10:00am
Massey College Quadrangle
Ceremony for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30, we gather as a community to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day calls us to reflect on the enduring legacy of residential schools, to honour the children who never returned home, and to stand with survivors, their families, and communities.
The ceremony will be convened by Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, whose leadership calls us to witness and reflect with humility and respect.
Friday, October 3 | 10:00am
Robertson Davies Library, Massey College
Textiles in Ethiopian Manuscripts Colloquium
The Robertson Davies Library invites you to a half-day colloquium hosted by the Textiles in Ethiopian Manuscripts SSHRC-funded project, co-directed by Professor Michael Gervers (University of Toronto) and Sarah Fee (Royal Ontario Museum). This international, multi-disciplinary team studies textiles pasted inside the book boards of 15th–19th century Christian Ethiopian manuscripts, offering new insights into Ethiopian culture and the origins of these textiles, which will be shared during the event. Lunch will be provided. The program is kindly co-sponsored by the Book History and Print Culture Program, the Faculty of Information, The Centre for Medieval Studies, and the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations.
To register for the event and to see the full program click here.
We note here that sponsorship opportunities are available for this very special colloquium. Please contact Alex Pompilii, Advancement Specialist (apompilii@masseycollege.ca | 416-978-2549) to learn more.
MASSEY COLLEGE CHOIR
The Massey College Choir is back! Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays, 5:15pm-6:15pm in the Music Room (Colin Friesen Room) under the direction of our very talented new conductor, Melanie Yirenkyi. The first rehearsal is September 17.
All members of the community are welcome to join – Junior and Senior Fellows, Quadranglers, Visiting Scholars, Journalism Fellows, and staff. No previous training is required, and no experience is necessary. If you’ve always wanted to sing in a choir, this is your opportunity!
COMMUNITY NEWS
IN MEMORIAM
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of two Senior Fellows: Ken Dryden and Don Rickerd.
Ken was an NHL legend, but his impact reached far beyond the rink. As a lawyer and politician, he devoted himself to advancing the health and wellbeing of Canada’s children. Ken’s full obituary can be found here.
Don was a familiar presence at Massey lunches, always eager to learn about the work and research of our Junior Fellows. His warm smile and welcoming spirit will be deeply missed within our walls. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Julie, and his son, Christopher.
Lastly, Elder Garry Sault passed away earlier this month. He was an honourary guest at Massey on a number of occasions and was an integral part of many Chapel Royal events as an Elder. His presence at the College will be sorely missed. Our condolences to his friends and families.
AWARDS
- Senior Fellows Joel Levine and Victoria Wohl as wellas alumni Jacqueline Murray have been appointed Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada. Congratulations!
NEWS
- Senior Fellow Sabreena Delhon and The Samara Centre have been granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada. This is in part related to Sabreena’s participation at the 2022 Massey College conference Notwithstanding Clause at 40: Canadian Constitutional Democracy at a Crossroads and the volume that followed.
- Senior Fellow Randy Boyagoda is featured on CBC Radio, listen here.
- Senior Fellow Natasha Grzincic has co-published a paper, read it here. This work was the result of a collaboration that began when Natasha was a William Southam Journalism Fellow at Massey College.
- On behalf of Senior Fellow Pamela Klassen, you are warmly invited to join the University of Toronto’s Department for the Study of Religion as it launches its 50th anniversary celebrations with The Study of Religion, Then and Now—a landmark conversation featuring two of its most distinguished alumni, Professor Jane McAuliffe and Professor Amir Hussain, moderated by Professor Amira Mittermaier.
Date: Thursday, September 25
Time: 5:30–7:00 pm (conversation), followed by a reception from 7:00–8:00 pm
Location: Seeley Hall, Trinity College - Junior Fellow Alec Krawciw is featured on U of T Engineering News. Read the piece here.
- Senior Fellow Alok Mukherjee is quoted in the Toronto Star. Senior Fellow and Governing Board Chair, Akwasi Owusu-Bempah is quoted in the same piece.
- Quadrangle Society Member Akaash Maharaj was recently interviewed on Metro Morning. Listen here.
- Senior Fellow Danielle Martin is a guest on CBC’s White Coat, Black Art – listen here.
- Senior Fellow Nurjehan Mawani joined the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, Miles Richardson, and Carol Anne Hilton on the Opening Plenary of the Victoria Forum: Shifting the Trajectory to a Better Future on August 24, 2025. The Forum was attended by several hundred participants from across Canada and abroad.
- Read Senior Fellow Neil Seeman’s latest Op-ed in the Toronto Star, here.
- Junior Fellow Emma C. Tanovich will join the Fourth Cohort of Conductors with the Orchestre Métropolitain Conducting Academy from Fall 2025-27, selected and hosted by Music Director of the MET Opera, Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
- Senior Fellow Armine Yalnizyan is featured on CBC, listen here.
Including your affiliation with Massey College in your professional biography and any journalism you produce or are featured is a powerful reflection of the intellectual rigor, community, and leadership that define Massey College. By highlighting your connection to this esteemed institution, you reinforce the values of academic excellence and critical thinking, contributing to its legacy of thought leadership and social impact.
If you have recently completed a significant project, published a book or paper, received an award, secured a major grant, or been featured in the media, we encourage you to share these milestones. Not only will this showcase your achievements, but it also enriches the vibrancy of the Massey College community. Please send the details to news@masseycollege.ca for inclusion in our updates.
