Members of the Massey College community continue to exemplify extraordinary service toward the public good – be they Junior Fellows, Senior Fellows and Quadranglers, volunteers, or staff. With full pleasure, I share with you the Massey College recipients of the King’s Coronation Medal. Heartiest of congratulations and sincere thanks to each!
David Landaverde has been serving meals for the Massey community with his special warmth and kindness for three decades. David’s commitment, professionalism, and genuine care have made a lasting impact, fostering a sense of belonging and warmth for all.
Akwasi Owusu-Bempah is Chair of the Governing Board at Massey College. His unwavering dedication to scholarship and his commitment to fostering an inclusive environment have made a profound impact on Massey College and the broader community
Mary McGeer is a tireless volunteer at Massey College, serving on the Chapel Royal committee and providing music programming and curation, fostering artistic, spiritual, and cultural connections throughout our community.
Christine Tran provided exceptional leadership to the Junior Fellows during the pandemic, when she served as Don of Hall. Her commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment has left a lasting impact on the College.
Alexandra Sorin has played a pivotal role in reviving the Massey College Alumni Association, ensuring that the values and spirit of the College continue to thrive beyond graduation.
Peter Lewis served as the College Bursar from 1997 to 2006, demonstrating exceptional financial stewardship and administrative leadership during his tenure, and leaving a lasting legacy at Massey College.
Nalini Stewart is an active participant in the life of Massey College, serving on committees, engaging in programming, mentoring students, and fostering their growth. Her thoughtful insights and dedication to cultivating a vibrant community of scholars have significantly enriched the fabric of the Quadrangle Society.
Thank you for enriching our community so beautifully. All are welcome to attend the medal presentation ceremony: RSVP
Dr. James Orbinski
Principal
SPEAKERS AND KEYNOTE ADDRESSES ANNOUNCED
Liberal Democracy in the Rearview Mirror?
Join us on April 15 for a full-day conference on the state of and prospects for liberal constitutionalism at home and in the world with the ascent of Trump and the backsliding of liberal democracy everywhere.
Keynotes:
Thomas Homer-Dixon (Professor and Executive Director, The Cascade Institute; Massey College Senior Fellow)
“Defending Canadian Democracy: A Strategic Framework for Revitalizing Our Society”
-and-
Peter L. Biro (Founder and President, Section1; Massey College Senior Fellow)
“From Liberal Democracy to Electoral Autocracy: On the flimsy foundation of fabricated mandates to decommission accountable government”
For the full list of speakers and to RSVP, please visit our website.
Presented by Massey College, Section1 and CIC
MARCH EVENTS
Monday, March 3 – Book Club – Hello Beautiful: A Novel by Ann Napolitano
The Book Club committee will present this New York Times bestselling book. Hello Beautiful is a profoundly moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it. RSVP
Monday, March 3 – Principal James Orbinski will deliver the 2025 Howcroft Lecture, entitled: Dignity in Crisis: The Complexity of the Refugee Experience. Please note that this event is being held offsite, RSVP.
Tuesday, March 4 – Jack McClelland Writer-In-Residence reading and reception
Presented by Massey College and the University of Toronto’s Department of English, you are invited to join one of the most prolific playwrights and screenwriters in Canada, George F. Walker, the 2024-2025 Writer-in-Residence for a special event. RSVP
Wednesday, March 5 – Music Salon –Women from Space: Exploring the Art of Visionary Women in Music
Festival co-director Bea Lavikova will join Junior Fellow Sam Little to talk about the history and the mission of Women From Space. She will introduce videos from past performances at the festival, and from artists on this year’s program. And she will offer a live improvised performance, as a sneak preview of what’s on offer. RSVP
Thursday, March 6 – Language, Identity, and Resilience: Exploring the Importance of French in Minority Language Communities
Dive into the role of the French language in Ontario’s Francophone communities. RSVP
Friday, March 7 – International Women’s Day High Table
Gather over a gourmet meal as we introduce new fellows, scholars, and community members when we will convene to celebrate Women within Massey College and beyond. Guests are welcome. RSVP
Monday, March 10 – Chapel Royal Explorations: Music of the Heart
SAVE THE DATE: Music is a part of every culture, and every form of spiritual practice. It frees our minds and our spirits, and it allows us to express what can’t be put into words. RSVP
Wednesday, March 12 – King Charles III Coronation Medal Ceremony
Join us to celebrate Massey award recipients. RSVP
Friday, March 14 – Walter Gordon Symposium – Equity in Peril: Immigration, Urban Planning, and Energy
Join this Junior Fellow led event, supported by the Munk School and Massey College. RSVP
Wednesday, March 19 – Junior Fellow Lecture Series: The Brain, The Mind
Presented by the Junior Fellows, these lectures take place roughly once a month and invite three Junior Fellows to give an after dinner lecture on a chosen topic through the lens of their various fields of study. RSVP
Thursday, March 20 – Ethics Series on What Happens When Governments Legislate Against Homelessness
SAVE THE DATE: The final Ethics Series of the year will be held in person from 4:00-5:00pm, moderated by Reverend Don Gibson.
Monday, March 24 – Cancel Culture & Anti-Racism: A Double-Edged Sword?
This timely and thought-provoking conversation will explore the complexities of holding individuals accountable while fostering both personal and systemic growth and change. This will be a moderated debate with members of Massey College’s Anti-Black Racism Counsel, hosted by Junior Fellow and Equity and Inclusivity Secretariat Co-Chair Kejah Bascon. RSVP
THE JCR PODCAST
In this week’s JCR: A Massey Podcast kick back and enjoy some new music from the Winnipeg band, Blueblood’s debut LP Discount Everything. Band members Courtney Fox, Sam Little and Conrad Sweatman also talk about their journey and creative process with Canadian music journalist Michael Barclay. Listen here.
COMMUNITY NEWS
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
- Junior Fellow, Obinna Ezeani received a 2025 University of Toronto Student Leadership Award (UTSLA). The UTSLA recognizes outstanding leadership contributions of students to the University of Toronto community through volunteering.
- Junior Fellow Chukwunonso Nwabufo’s startup, OneDrug, has been names one of the 12 finalists for the Enactus’ Student Entrepreneur National Competiton. Read about the competition here.
NEWS
- Assistant Librarian Chana Algarvio has published an essay in the book Looking beyond the Text New Approaches to Scribal Culture and Practices in Ancient Egypt titled “Permanence of Intellectual Creation through the Materiality of Stone: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Ancient Egyptian Book Culture.”
- Senior Fellow Sheila Wang talks to the CBC about wound care. Read it here.
- Senior Fellow Peter Warrian has appeared cross country on CBC TV and radio commenting on the effects of Trump’s US tariffs on the steel industry, companies and communities. Watch one of the pieces here.
