This past Friday we had a compelling High Table celebrating contributions of the East Asian community to Massey and beyond. It was also moving because it was the last High Table of Principal (now Justice!) Nathalie Des Rosiers, and I felt sad that she is moving on, but joyful in contemplating the breadth and success of her work here. Those present gave a long and meaningful ovation, and we all wish her the best of success in her important new role as Justice of the Superior Court of Ontario.
I feel honoured and excited to serve as the Acting Principal of this important college, and I look forward to continuing its role as a place where the many diverse disciplines interact towards serving the public good. We live in times of great change and much turbulence, but also a time of enormous opportunity to influence the future: at Massey we enact this through the mentoring of young minds and having constructive dialogues. Please do consider coming to the college to have a meal and help make that happen. I’ll be delighted to see you here!
I am also pleased to announce that the Anishinaabemowin Program for Massey Community is continuing this term, beginning Saturday, January 20 from 10:30-12:00pm. This 8-week introductory Anishinaabemowin course will cover the basic tools for students to continue to learn Anishinaabemowin independently or in the community.
Session Dates: January 20, 27, February 10, 17, March 9,16, 23, April 6.
No previous experience required. Details and registration can be found here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 16 | 6:00-8:00pm
Massey Grand Rounds
MGR will be hosting Senior Fellow, Dr. Samir Sinha for dinner. A Rhdoes Scholar, Dr. Sinha is the Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, and the Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing.
January 17 | 4:30-6:00pm
Junior Fellow Pillar Program:
Presenting your paper at a conference? Don’t freak out.
Open to Junior Fellows and recent Junior Fellow Alumni (up to 5 years out).
This is a hands-on session with alumni Chris Graham of TellPeople. You’ll leave this session with a toolbox on how to present clearly and confidently in public.
January 18 | 11:45am-12:45pm | online only
Ethics Series – Great Expectations: Holding Leaders to a Higher Standard?
The panel will explore expectations of leadership. Should there be a higher standard for leaders? What standards should be expected? How are standards determined?
We will be joined by former MPP of Kitchener Centre Laura Mae Lindo now an instructor at University of Waterloo’s philosophy department; Tom Axworthy, Massey’s Chair of Public Policy; Lloyd Posno, (retired) partner, EY Canada and Rev. Don Gibson, Ethics Series Co-Chair (Moderator).
January 23 | 4:30 – 6:00PM
Equity Talks: Objectivity is a Privilege Afforded to White Journalists
In a 2020 viral article, Pacinthe Mattar challenged the notions of objectivity, especially how it applies to racialized folks. Her argument suggests that what passes as objectivity in societal dialogues is really rooted in white-centric perspectives and white privilege. Join us to hear Pacinthe speak about her article, her experiences, and her analysis of how objectivity has been used to silence certain voices and narratives
January 24 | 4:00-6:00pm
2024 Jack McClelland Writer-in-Residence Reading and Reception with Shyam Selvadurai
Massey College and the University of Toronto’s Department of English present the Jack McClelland Writer-In-Residence reading. Shyam will read from his latest novel Mansions of the Moon.
January 25 | 5:00-6:00pm
Massey Dialogues – A Crisis in Affordable Housing (Part II): Lessons from Residents
This panel will draw upon the experiences of residents to ask how well government subsidized options such as social housing and housing collectives have worked, and what can be done to make them more effective. Particular attention will be paid to Regent Park, where the Toronto Community Housing Corporation is in the middle stages of a long-term transformation of the city’s oldest and largest public-housing development. We will be joined by local leaders in the community.
January 25 | 5:00-7:00pm
Quadrangle Society Reception
All members of the Quadrangle Society are welcome to attend a reception and talk with Justice Nathalie Des Rosiers examining criminal justice in the 21st century. Come and reconnect at Massey!
January 26 | 6:00pm
Clarkson Laureate High Table
On behalf of Madam Clarkson and myself, the entire community is warmly welcomed to celebrate our 2024 Clarkson Laureates (Junior Fellows Thomas Ayouti, Sara Maqsood and Michael O’Keefe and Senior Fellow Dr. Samir Sinha) and their accomplishments at a special High Table celebrating public service.
January 30 | 5:00pm
Massey Loves to Read – Just Once, No More
Join the special panel discussion on the themes from Senior Fellow Charlie Foran’s latest book. We will look at relationships between men, specifically between fathers and sons. Joining the panel will be Junior Fellow Alum Divas Kapur
January 31 | 11:45am-2:00pm
Reflecting on the CBC Massey Lectures Lunch
Professor Maydianne Andrade, University Professor, Biology at U of T and Canada Research Chair will discuss Richard Lewontin’s 1990 lecture Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA.
February 5 | 8:00pm
Book Club – In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas
Join us to discuss the winner of the 2023 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize with presenter Anthony N. Morgan. Be sure to attend the formal dinner beforehand (email the Porter by Feb 2).
COMMUNITY NEWS
IN MEMORIAM
I am sad to announce that Senior Fellow Peter Russell passed away last week. Please join me in sending condolences to his friends and family. A full obituary, can be found online here, and Quadrangle Society member Steve Paikin has written a piece for TVO.ca, which you can access here.
A celebration of life for Peter will be held on January 20 at St. Thomas’ Church (383 Huron Street), followed by a reception at the Faculty Club.
AWARDS
- 2021-2022 Gordon N. Fisher / JHR Fellow Patrick Egwu has been awarded an investigative journalism fellowship from the Bertha Foundation. More information here.
Congratulations Patrick!
NEWS
- I share with you a wonderful tribute to John Godfrey – written by Quadrangle Society Member Steve Paikin, read it here.
- Junior Fellow Chukwunonso Nwabufo is featured on UofT’s Black Research Network for his recent appointment as chair of Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, and Drug Metabolism community of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Read the full profile here.
