Vic Report Summer 2022

Bidding a Fond Farewell

Once again, I am looking out from the window of the President’s Office in Northrop Frye Hall, contemplating the trees and the grass along the driveway that winds between Old Vic and Emmanuel College. The campus is in its full June beauty. The view from my desk gives onto the vibrant heart of campus life, easily prompting an attitude of reflection. This time, that attitude is especially pensive, even wistful.

For 26 years I have worked in Northrop Frye Hall—19 years on the second floor as a Victoria College fellow, and the past seven years on the first floor as president of Victoria University. After I pass the reins to Dr. Rhonda McEwen as Victoria University’s next president, I will resume my role as a fellow and faculty member.

My pensive reflections today are characterized above all by an immense sense of gratitude. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most passionate students, most dedicated teachers and most thoughtful staff in the country, on a shared mission of real value.

I enthusiastically took on this role in 2015 because I felt that, during my time as a Vic fellow, I had received so much more from Vic than I had been able to give back. When my family and I arrived in Canada in 1996, Vic provided an ideal community for my areas of research and for my hope to provide students with transformative academic experiences. Now, after seven eventful years as president, I feel even more keenly that I have received much more from the Victoria community than I could ever give.

When I recently addressed the Victoria College class of 2022 at their graduation, I quoted from the TV show Dr. Who: “There is no such thing as an ordinary human,” meaning that every single one of us has unique qualities and attributes that make us special, valuable, remarkable, and I believe that this idea sums up the distinctiveness of Victoria’s vision of higher education.

This notion is something more than the premises which are (or should be) table stakes in a democratic society: that individuals are equal before the law, that all persons are to be accorded universal rights, that all are to be treated fairly and with dignity. The idea that no human is ordinary points not only to the conception that each person is equal in an abstract sense, but also to the insight that each person you encounter is extraordinary in their own particularity. Each of the students in this graduating class is a unique embodiment of sensation and imagination, ideals and contradictions, hopes and dreams.

At Victoria, such depth of imagination in each of us is celebrated. We guide students to discover what excites them, to connect their passion to the world’s issues, and to create something new. At Victoria, students also live into the awareness that everyone else is similarly gifted in extraordinary ways. As Northrop Frye explained, education is about finding one’s own gifts, yes, but it is also about understanding and respecting the creative imagination of others.

Transitions are occasions for creativity and renewal, and I salute the graduating students who are embarking on their new adventures. Looking out my window, I sense the reality of the transition I will soon make. I am excited for this moment of leadership renewal, with the arrival of Dr. McEwen, and the wonderful next chapter it will add to Victoria University’s distinguished history.

Early in my term I set out four presidential priorities—inclusive excellence, intercultural dialogue, undergraduate research, and readying students for their life after University—with some key milestones. As the stories in this issue detail, these milestones have by and large been achieved, thanks to the brilliance of the Victoria team and the support given by all parts of the University. That’s why it is a good time—both for me personally and for the institution—to pass the leadership baton. It is also why at this time I am overcome with gratitude, wanting to express my deep thanks to all the Victoria staff, faculty, students and alumni. Victoria has never rested on its laurels, and I am excited to see what new initiatives the future holds.  —William Robins

Summer 2022

Volume L No. 3

Published under the authority of the Board of Regents of Victoria University in the University of Toronto.

Publisher: Victoria University

Editor and Managing Editor: Jennifer Little Vic 9T5, Manager, Marketing and Communications

Copy Editor: Frank Collins

Design: Randall Van Gerwen

Cover: William Robins. Photography by Horst Herget.

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Tanya Talaga Vic 9T3 and Alia Hogben Receive Honorary Degrees

Two women who have empowered under-represented groups throughout their careers received honorary degrees from Victoria University. The degrees were conferred on journalist and award-winning author Tanya Talaga, who has reported extensively on Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people, and Alia Hogben, who, through her service as a social worker, teacher and advocate for Muslim women and children, is a celebrated champion for social justice. Chancellor Nick Saul, C.M., Vic 9T0, renowned food and social justice activist, conferred the degrees on May 12, 2022, as part of the Victoria University Convocation and Emmanuel College Graduation.

“Both Alia Hogben and Tanya Talaga represent the highest ideals of service and justice and reflect core values that we hold dear at Victoria University. Through their advocacy, previously silenced voices have been heard and celebrated. On behalf of our academic community, I express our deep appreciation for their work, and congratulate each of them on being awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters,” said President William Robins.

For over 20 years, Alia Hogben focused on assisting abused women, children and vulnerable populations as a social worker and program supervisor at the Ontario Ministry of Social Services in Kingston. She also served her community by teaching locally at St. Lawrence College and writing a monthly column for The Kingston Whig Standard on Islam, Muslims and interfaith dialogue. She went on to serve as executive director for the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) for over 15 years, advocating for the empowerment of Muslim women. She has presented to the Parliamentary Committee on AntiSemitism and Human Rights, and a United Nations Forum on Anti-Muslim Discrimination as well as extensive international conferences. She was a

contributing writer to Resilience and Triumph: Immigrant Women Tell Their Stories, edited by Rashmi Luther. She was appointed to the Order of Canada, received the Inter-Pares Peter Gillespie Award and the MAX (Muslim Awards for Excellence) Platinum Award.

As a journalist, first at the Toronto Star, and currently as a columnist at The Globe and Mail, Tanya Talaga sheds light on the realities Indigenous communities face, from youth suicide to a lack of clean water or access to high schools, and the ongoing, generational impacts of residential schools. Her multi-awardwinning book Seven Fallen Feathers won

the RBC Taylor Prize, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, and the First Nation Communities Read: Young Adult/Adult. It was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Nonfiction Prize, was recognized by the CBC as Nonfiction Book of the Year and was named a Top 100 Book by The Globe and Mail. Talaga was the first Ojibwe woman to deliver the CBC Massey Lectures which led to her second book, All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward, in which she shares Indigenous stories from across Canada and the world. Talaga has also been a speaker for the Vic One plenaries. 

“ Through their advocacy, previously silenced voices have been heard and celebrated.”

Tanya Talaga Vic 9T3 and Alia Hogben

Eye-health Pioneer Named 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

It has been said that eyes are the windows to the soul. The winner of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award, physicist Melanie Campbell Vic 7T5, is certainly doing her part to harness the power of the eye.

By examining people’s eyes, Campbell and her team in the University of Waterloo laboratories seek to identify the presence of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Among her many scientific accomplishments, she has most recently developed a non-invasive way of imaging protein deposits in the retina of the eye using polarized light. “We study the amount of protein in the eye and this information can be used to help predict the amount of amyloid in a person’s brain in association with Alzheimer’s,” she notes. “I’m also happy to say that I spun off a company with my co-founders at the University of Waterloo. We are going to commercialize the retinal imaging so there could be more early intervention.” Her new approach could be much less expensive and more accessible compared to the brain scans currently used for diagnosis. A goal is to improve the specificity of diagnosis. Most importantly, earlier diagnosis will result in earlier interventions known to slow down the disease.

helped pioneer a novel, high-resolution technique of viewing single cells in the living retina which has enabled understanding and the development of gene therapies for a number of inherited blinding eye diseases.

Campbell’s journey began at Vic where she earned a BSc in chemical physics. “I have attended quite a few universities but my time at Vic was the best. It came at a difficult time of my life. You see, my father died unexpectedly when I was finishing high school. My mom wasn’t sure what she was going to do in terms of finances. Vic offered me scholarships and I still appreciate that enormously. I worked very hard to maintain a high average so that I would still receive scholarship money every year.” Campbell went on to complete an MSc in physics from the University of Waterloo (1977) and a PhD in applied mathematics and physiology from the Australian National University, John Curtin School for Medical Research and the Research School of Physical Sciences (1982), Canberra, Australia. She also has two post-doctoral degrees.

Another area of focus for Campbell is diabetes, which can have significant impact on eye health and vision. Her laboratory is working with Toronto’s SickKids Hospital imaging the retinas of teenagers with type-1 diabetes at the onset of the disease. The lab’s goal is to discover whether the initial damage to the eye arises from neural or cellular events. This analysis may lead to improved treatment for type-1 diabetes and protection against eye damage. Campbell

Campbell found a true sense of community at Vic which helped her deal with her challenges as she grieved the loss of her father and she remains friends with many of her former classmates. “I really appreciated that my experience was very personalized,” she says. “Vic afforded me the opportunity of a broad arts and science exposure in order to figure out my specialty. My interest in EDI also stems from my years at Vic. I would find myself sometimes being the only woman in the lab but I had amazing professors such as Dick Azuma who made me feel equal in the lab.”

Campbell says, “Receiving this award is thrilling. It is so nice to be recognized and to know that someone thinks my work is important. Also, I am so happy to be in the company of the other award winners! I have looked them up and they are all outstanding people. I’m not sure I deserve to be in that company but I’m thrilled to be placed in it!” 

—Jennifer Little

“I have attended quite a few universities but my time at Vic was the best.”

Melanie

Campbell Vic 7T5

Melanie Campbell Vic 7T5

VICTORIA COLLEGE EMERGING LEADER AWARDS 2021 WINNERS

The Alumni of Victoria College congratulate Justin Kwan, Grace McDonell and Kira Treviranus, this year’s winners of the Emerging Leader Award. This award recognizes graduates, 40 years of age or under, who have excelled professionally or who have notable accomplishments in their volunteer service, such as community work, humanitarianism and philanthropy.

JUSTIN KWAN VIC 1T4

Justin Kwan is making a real difference to small business success in emerging Asian markets. Kwan has been selected for his professional excellence in promoting greater Canadian engagement with Asia, analyzing identity politics in global Chinese communities, and advancing poverty reduction in Asia-Pacific economies through local empowerment.

After earning his BA and MA, Kwan joined the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Canada’s leading think-tank on relations with the Asia-Pacific region. As a project specialist at the foundation, Kwan worked on advancing Asia knowledge by supporting an Asia Pacific curriculum project for British Columbia high school students. Since 2019, Kwan has led the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership, a Global Affairs Canadafunded, international development project that focuses on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Asia-Pacific. As senior program manager, Kwan is currently managing a $2.31-million phase two expansion of the partnership aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) emerging economies by improving business management practices of MSMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea to help them expand into global and regional markets.

GRACE MCDONELL VIC 1T4

Not many lawyers right out of school get to be part of a case before the Supreme Court. Grace McDonell’s enthusiasm and drive to give back to her community has not wavered since her undergraduate days at Vic as a student leader. After Vic, she obtained a law degree and participated in a successful LGBTQ2SIA+ rights case at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has also acted as a youth facilitator for workshops that explore social justice issues; inequality, power, gender stereotypes and discrimination against high school students in Kamloops, B.C. McDonell constantly seeks to work within areas that can be uncomfortable, but she continues to fight the good fight, because she recognizes how important it is for marginalized voices to be supported and heard in our world and communities. She has a passion for LGBTQ2SIA+ rights, equity and social justice, and seeks to make real change through the law. Not only that, she recognizes that Vic has been a foundation for who she is now as a person, and seeks to engage with students in the Vic community to support them in their own future paths.

KIRA TREVIRANUS VIC 1T0

Kira Treviranus helps bring healthcare directly to at-risk communities through an innovative “Health Bus.” She has been recognized for applying her passion for social justice and driving change on multiple levels. The groundwork for Treviranus to effect change for the most vulnerable in our community as a researcher, activist and advocate, was laid at Vic. She supplemented her peace and conflict studies at Vic with professional training and graduate work. She is now a nurse practitioner with expertise in serving marginalized populations through innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. She has built her career at the intersection of high-value medicine, social impact, innovative healthcare, and interdisciplinary research. Since 2018, Treviranus has operated a mobile clinic on Sherbourne Health’s The Rotary Club of Toronto Health Bus, which serves as a critical entry point to healthcare services for patients who face major barriers to obtaining healthcare—including the homeless, LGBTQ+ populations, isolated seniors, and patients struggling with substance abuse. The Health Bus is one of the first of its kind in the Toronto area.

reflecting on a presidential legacy

Sitting in front of the lilac bush hedge in full bloom between Northrop Frye Hall and Emmanuel College, in May, President William Robins reflects on his seven years leading the 186-year-old Victoria University. “There are so many things that I am proud of, and they are all anchored in this incredible sense of community at Victoria,” explains Robins. “Collaboration across all the departments on campus has led to many exciting academic offerings and transformative student supports, as well as to a shared sense of direction for Victoria University’s future.” Robins ended his tenure on June 30, 2022.

One of the first things Robins did when he arrived at Victoria University was to establish four key priorities: practising inclusive education; fostering intercultural understanding; engaging undergraduate students as active creators of knowledge; and making sure students were ready to flourish beyond University. “When I started in this role,

many leaders were remarking on some palpable shifts in the broader landscape of higher education. I had the privilege of following a long history of remarkable leadership at Victoria, and I knew that we were in a great position to expand our reach and impact, to provide wider access to our academic offerings and campus experience, and to make everyone feel fully invested in what was possible at Vic,” says Robins.

During Robins’ leadership, involvement with community partners in priority neighbourhoods in the GTA increased, and significant investments were made for additional bursaries and scholarships. “When we reduce barriers to outstanding academic experiences, we all benefit from a student body that encompasses a variety of lived experiences, socio-economic realities and cultural perspectives,” says Robins. He also worked closely with academic leaders at Emmanuel College to continue to expand interreligious curriculum, hiring new faculty and

bringing diverse religious perspectives to the College’s pedagogy.

The commitment to inclusive education is also linked with a commitment to intercultural understanding and both are clearly articulated in Victoria University’s firstever Strategic Framework, launched in 2021. “We have always had a welldeveloped academic mission, yet we had never embarked on developing a cohesive plan that would steer all areas of the University in a clearly stated, forward-looking direction. Articulating key milestones for our shared priorities has helped propel some important new programs as well as renew our sense of mission,” explains Robins.

Robins launched the Indigenous Advisory Circle and created the position of a Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Issues. “We made a clear commitment in our Strategic Framework to contribute meaningfully to processes of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and I’m proud

I have been struck by Will’s deep commitment to providing a personalized, well supported experience for all of our students so that they will always think of Vic as their home. We have been thrilled to execute Will’s vision because students are, after all, why we are all here.

Yvette Ali, Registrar, Office of the Registrar and Academic Advising

The impact of COVID-19 meant that Will’s leadership was a critical time in Victoria University’s history. He met all challenges with aplomb and handled the ever-changing landscape with a positive attitude.

Cynthia Crysler Vic 9T0, Chair, Board of Regents

President Robins endeavoured to connect with students at every opportunity—from taking a stroll in the quad to attending student plays. He truly cared about student issues and was willing to listen to our concerns.

Jerico Raguindin, President, VUSAC

President Robins fostered a vital, inclusive, and caring academic community at Victoria. He furthered the role of Victoria University as a leader in Canadian post-secondary education. It’s been a pleasure to work together with Will to help realize his vision for excellent, distinctive, conversation-based education.

Angela Esterhammer Vic 8T3, Principal, Victoria College

From the very beginning of his presidency, Will has been working to increase Indigenous presence on campus. He really focused on community building and was thoughtful and considerate when taking in various perspectives—he never hesitated to defer to others in the pursuit of reconciliation.

Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo Emm 1T1, assistant professor, teaching stream in theology; June Callwood Professor in Social Justice, special advisor on Indigenous Issues

President Robins has always appreciated the deep level of engagement of Victoria University alumni—their willingness to keep connected, and their gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Louise Yearwood Vic 8T6, Executive Director, Department of Alumni Affairs & Advancement

of how we’ve begun to move forward,” says Robins. During his tenure an annual conference on Campus (Re)Conciliation was launched, and a Presidential Intercultural Initiatives Fund has been created to support programming aligned with the University’s commitments to foster a strong sense of belonging.

Victoria University has a reputation for its signature first-year program called Vic One, characterized by small, discussion-based classes meant to provide a solid foundation for students’ academic direction. Robins quickly identified an opportunity to develop a new signature program, this time focused on providing a solid foundation for students as they prepare to graduate. “We know that students are very anxious if they feel unprepared for their life after graduation,” he explains. “We took a holistic approach in creating a program that runs throughout a student’s years at Vic, helping each student understand their individual goals and supporting

them with coaching and workshops from staff, faculty, alumni mentors and other advisers. The feedback from students has been wonderful.”

One of the final events before June graduation that Robins attended was the annual Scholars-in-Residence presentations, a culmination of the one-month long program that sees over 55 undergraduate students participate in intensive research with faculty on Victoria University’s campus. The launch of this program was part of Robins’ commitment to undergraduate

research. “These are students who devote part of their summer break to building knowledge together. They exemplify so many of the qualities that characterize Vic . . . curiosity, dialogue and desire to make our world a better place.”

While the drama of flowering trees and lilac bushes will have faded by June convocation, Robins reflects on what will really feel like the end of his tenure at Victoria University before he heads out to Cambridge in the U.K. for a year-long fellowship. “Well, I’m already beginning to feel wistful, but these days devoted to celebrating student achievement will be unforgettable. I will remain a fellow at Vic and will always feel a part of this amazing community. I am very grateful to my colleagues and most of all, the students, who have showed so much character, tenacity and leadership during my time as president. When I think of these remarkable students, I know that our future looks bright.” 

—Sally Szuster

“ We made a clear commitment in our Strategic Framework to contribute meaningfully to processes of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples…”

William Robins

Celebrating Undergraduate Research

a day that offers Vic students the opportunity to present their research to their peers, Vic faculty and fellows, with awards given to the most outstanding research and presentations.

“Vic has really focused on making connections between academic disciplines, and to help students see that they are part of a richer intellectual community,” says Ross. “I’m not aware of any other event that creates the sort of multidisciplinary intellectual contact the way that Research Day does at Vic.”

Under President William Robins, Victoria University has made substantial increases in investments to support services, grants and funding for undergraduate research, making it a cornerstone of the University’s identity and a key component of its Strategic Framework.

From the strange mating habits of fruit flies to the surprising discovery of 18th-century American military buttons buried in the grounds of an estate in East Toronto, this year’s Research Day offered something for everyone. Overseen by Professor Shaun Ross, who also serves as Vic’s undergraduate research co-ordinator, Research Day is an annual, marquee event and one of the highlights of Vic’s undergraduate research program. It’s

This year’s Research Day featured presentations by students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including biology, psychology, nutrition and health studies, history and English. “It’s this variety that makes Research Day so special,” says Ross.

“If you ask the average person what research is they would just say science,” says Ross. “Research Day allows you to see how diverse and different knowledge and research can be produced.”

In total, this year’s Research Day featured 20 presentations by undergraduate students, with six receiving awards.  —Daniel Blackwell

The Road to Success: Vic Ready

“Vic Ready is such a fantastic program!” says Yiwen Li Vic 2T1. “I was in the initial focus groups when the idea of Vic Ready was being explored. I am proud that my input may have helped contribute to the development of the program.”

Launched in 2019 in keeping with President Robins’ priorities, the program was created to prepare students for graduation and life after Vic. Staff advisors work closely with students to help explore their interests, and to discover opportunities. Students also work with professionals to create portfolios, strong resumés, and are coached on financial literacy and communications. The program also provides networking opportunities with peers, faculty, alumni and professionals. Streams are curated for students interested in immediately joining the workforce, pursuing graduate studies or those who aren’t sure what should come next.

“Vic Ready really helped improve my writing ability and taught me to communicate effectively,” says Li. “I felt prepared, relaxed and confidant when it came to applying to grad school. Vic Ready definitely helped decrease my stress about the future.” Li is pursuing an MSc in occupational therapy at U of T.

Gantavya Gupta Vic 2T1 was one of the early adopters of Vic Ready. “Vic Ready helped me believe in my own abilities and helped me move forward and take the first steps toward my career. Every student was impressed by the outside speakers

who were brought in to share their real-world experience.”

According to Gupta, “The help I received in directing my career path was one of the greatest strengths of the program.” Gupta works as venture analyst for the Rotman School of Management’s Creative Destruction Lab.

“Students are often daunted by their prospects, not sure of their own strengths, and unsure how to navigate next steps. Vic Ready is meant to calm the waters, working to help students at their own pace and in a way that is specific to them,” says Kelley Castle, dean of students.  —Jennifer Little

Gantavya Gupta Vic 2T1

Yiwen Li Vic 2T1

Bringing the Middle Ages to Life: Students Create Award-winning Teaching Resource

Talented undergraduate students are bringing the Middle Ages to life for local high school students. Eight students have been recognized for their contributions to Giovanni Boccaccio’s One Hundred Tales, a web-based resource bank hosted on ArcGIS StoryMaps. The maps, set up like a virtual museum, combine the students’ work of text, images, maps and other digital elements to explore the tales of 14th-century Italian book The Decameron. It is designed to help educators teach the Middle Ages and is accessible to teachers at all 70 Ontario school boards.

The students, as part of Signs, Meanings and Culture, a secondyear course at Vic, recently won an Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO) Student of the Year Award for their efforts.

Giovanni Boccaccio’s One Hundred Tales was developed as a class project but it was created in partnership with the Niagara Catholic District School Board, whose feedback helped ensure the content meets Ontario curriculum guidelines while addressing the needs of diverse learners.

Victoria College instructor, Teresa Russo, was inspired to launch the project after hearing from high school teachers about their challenges in finding a Medieval text that students could relate to. She believed The Decameron a collection of short stories narrated by a fictional group of friends who escape to the countryside during the Black Death (1346 to 1352)—would be relatable to students who had experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. “If students who are now in elementary school study The Decameron when they get to high school, they’ll remember back when they had to wear masks and learn online.”

According to Russo, “Seeing the students receive this award makes me realize what we created is really important for our community partners.” The winning students were recognized for their ability to connect The Decameron

to modern-day issues of class, gender, race and, of course, the pandemic. For instance, Rion Levy, a literature and critical theory specialist student of Victoria College, explored how nonchalant attitudes about travel during both the Black Death and COVID-19 pandemics contributed to the spread of disease. “We always knew that if you travel, you’re going to spread what you have or be more likely to catch something. In my lifetime, we had never really spoken about that until now, so I made the connection that this has happened throughout history yet we’re still repeating the same mistakes.”

Russo, an expert in Medieval studies, was supervised by President Will Robins while working on her dissertation at the Centre for Comparative Literature and was able to guide students towards his research on Boccaccio’s The Decameron. Levy also found Robins’ The Decameron

Eighth Day edition useful for his discussion of the Mediterranean Sea as a symbol of movement and connectivity, while others used the resource to address additional issues. “One student considered the idea of consent that grew out of the #MeToo movement. Students went beyond the scope of the project by investigating social and gender issues that are still debated in our community today,” explains Russo.

Beyond adding an award to their resumes, the students gained workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, and the ability to make complex academic concepts relatable to a general audience. “So far at the University, I have learned how to communicate with scholars,” says Levy. “No one has asked me to communicate with the world. The challenge to communicate in an engaging manner with high schoolers is one I am incredibly grateful to have had this past semester.”

Teresa Russo

Russo’s students completed 38 of The Decameron’s 100 tales. She plans to continue the project and to have the remaining 62 stories completed by 2023. “Knowing the resource will be used by educators for years to come is especially rewarding,” says Levy.  —Christine Elstub and Jennifer Little

“Seeing the students receive this award makes me realize what we created is really important for our community partners.”

Award-winning Poet Liz Howard Braids Western Physics with Anishinaabe Sky Knowledge

Vic students will have the opportunity to learn from one of Canada’s most acclaimed poets this year. Award-winning poet Liz Howard has been appointed Victoria College’s Shaftesbury Creative Writer-in-Residence for 2022–2023 and will teach and mentor students in the Creative Expression and Society program and the Norman Jewison Stream of Vic One program. Howard won Canada’s most prestigious poetry award, the Griffin Poetry Prize for her book Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent. Her poems have been described as being “filled with energy and magic” and “scintillating” by the jury of the Griffin Poetry Prize. Her second poetry collection, Letters in a Bruised Cosmos, was also nominated for the Griffin prize. She is of mixed settler and Anishinaabe heritage and an adjunct English professor and instructor U of T.

Q: How did growing up on Treaty 9 territory in Northern Ontario influence your work?

A: My consciousness developed in and was shaped by the landscape and sociohistorial context of where I grew up. This is reflected in my work by the presence of the bush, lakes and rivers, the Canadian shield, and also industrial development, colonization, and issues of race, gender and class in that context.

Q: You studied psychology before completing your MFA. Can you talk about the transition to creative writing?

A: I have always been interested in the human mind, in its biological basis and the phenomenology of consciousness, cognition, and subject experience that arises from it. Such an interest lends itself to both the study of psychology and creative expression.

Coming from a family heavily impacted by mental health issues, and being the first in my family to pursue post-secondary studies, I felt a sense of urgency in studying psychology towards eventually being of help in some way, as a clinician or researcher. After graduating I was hired as a lab manager for an aging and cognition laboratory and gratefully had the opportunity to learn about the research process firsthand. I planned to go to graduate school in psychology and was working to pay down my student debt to allow for that possibility.

At the same time, I was reconnecting with my love of poetry and writing by taking poetry classes and attending readings around the city. I found an incredible community of writers, thinkers, and art-makers. I decided what I wanted, needed really, to do was to write a book and I applied to a master’s program to facilitate that process.

Q: Is it fair to say that your scientific background informs your poetry? A: Absolutely. My background in science has informed how I interpret the world, my own thinking, and by extension, what I write. I find the beauty of neuroanatomical terms. I am also interested in the language and frameworks of other disciplines such as cosmology, physics, medicine, archaeology and even environmental science.

I braid aspects of Western cosmology and physics with Anishinaabe sky knowledge and personal experience to examine consciousness, trauma, and survival. For example, in one poem I reference astrocytes, which are starshaped cells present in the human brain and spinal cord. I think the name has interesting connotations in terms of human pattern-recognition and analogical/metaphorical thinking. It also has resonances with Carl Sagan’s offering that “we are made of star stuff” and the Anishinaabe belief that humanity has its origin in the stars. So here is a cell that is part of the biophysical apparatus that

facilitates or creates consciousness, that is composed, as all things are, of material forged in the bellies of stars, and itself resembles such a celestial body, at least as seen from the human vantage point of earth. It’s hard not to reach for the poetic when one spends a bit of time thinking through this kind of inter-connectedness!

Q: Can you talk a bit about the work you’re doing at U of T?

A: As the Shaftesbury Creative Writerin-Residence at Victoria College, I will deliver a keynote address in the fall and teach a seminar on creative citizenship in the winter term. This past year I also had the honour of teaching poetry writing courses through the School of Continuing Studies, mentoring a graduate student in the MA in English in the Field of Creative Writing program, and teaching a thirdyear creative writing poetry class.

Q: What are you most looking forward to as Vic’s Shaftesbury Creative Writerin-Residence?

A: I look forward to fostering a creative community and working with students. I am excited to return to campus and to have the time and space to develop my next book.

Q: What do you hope to achieve in this role?

A: A deeper understanding of what it means to be a creative citizen. To also act as a guide for others in the process.  —Kieran Kalls Rice

Welcome to Dr. Rhonda McEwen

Welcome, Dr. Rhonda McEwen, Victoria University’s 14th president and vice-chancellor. McEwen arrived on campus in July and her formal installation will take place in October.

“I am honoured to be joining the Vic community of students, faculty and alumni where teaching and learning are driven by curiosity and conscience through outstanding academic offerings and signature learning experiences, and whose students and faculty embrace inclusive education,” says McEwen. “I know that Victoria University’s iconic campus and wonderful sense of place will continue to inspire me as we build on the University’s record of success.”

McEwen is new to Victoria University, but she has earned a reputation as an outstanding academic leader at U of T, and in particular, as University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) vice-principal, academic and dean, with oversight of all academic programs, planning and policy, faculty, teaching and learning, and academic experience.

“The Board of Regents is thrilled to welcome an academic leader whose career exemplifies the ideals of intellectual curiosity and engaged conversation, which are so deeply embedded in the ethos of Victoria University,” said Cynthia Crysler Vic 9T0, chair of the Board of Regents. “Dr. McEwen has led transformative academic programs and initiatives at U of T that prepare students for a rapidly changing world. As a researcher, her focus on communications technology is rigorous and impactful and her leadership in supporting equity, diversity, inclusion and access has garnered support across the U of T community.”

McEwen has led and championed inclusion initiatives including serving as UTM’s first special adviser on anti-

racism and equity, and on the steering committee of U of T’s Black Research Network (BRN). She has also been part of Visions of Science, which engages youth from low-income or marginalized communities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, McEwen completed a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and management at the University of West Indies, St. Augustine, an MBA in information technology at City, University of London, a Master of Science in telecommunications at the University of Colorado Boulder, and a PhD from U of T’s Faculty of Information.  —Sally Szuster

• Water bottle filling stations throughout campus to reduce plastic water bottle use

• Windows replaced and refurbished to reduce heat loss

• Study underway to source geothermal renewable energy

•

• Sub-meters installed on grounds irrigation systems for water conservation

• Low flow plumbing fixtures installed

$2.5 Million in Bequests to Increase Financial Support for Under-represented Students at Victoria College

Students from under-represented or at-risk groups entering Victoria College in the University of Toronto will have more opportunities to access financial support through the newly created Robins Access Awards Program.

The program, which comprises a suite of innovative Opportunity Awards, will provide over $300,000 every year to Victoria College students. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need and are from underrepresented and at-risk groups including Black, Indigenous and first-generation Canadian students.

Recipients of Opportunity Awards will be able to live in residence on Victoria University’s historic campus during their first year, becoming fully immersed in student life, and will continue to be supported with $5,000 annually in subsequent years of study.

The Robins Access Awards Program has been established to honour the work of Victoria University’s 13th president and vice-chancellor, William Robins, who has been a strong advocate for programs supporting equity, diversity and inclusion for all Victoria University students, and who ended his seven-year tenure on June 30, 2022.

Victoria’s Opportunity Awards are funded from several sources. In 2021, thanks to a generous gift from Bader Philanthropies Inc., Ontario students from racialized and underrepresented groups were prioritized for Victoria’s initial Opportunity Awards.

“The Bader Opportunity Award has been of immense support to me and has eased what has often been very anxious fears of not being able to afford bare necessities. I am forever grateful to Victoria College for providing me with this award, and I deeply hope that it will continue to support the many students at Victoria College who are in a similar position as me,” says one fourth-year student.

Now, a new investment of $2.5 million in bequests from the two estates of Valerie (Husband) Brook Vic 6T3 and Allen Paul Walters has been assigned by Victoria University’s Board of Regents to an endowment fund to support more Opportunity Awards.

“It is deeply meaningful to me to see greater access to our unique undergraduate student experience made possible thanks to the generosity of Vic graduates who recognized how formative their university experiences were in their own lives and, as a result, made these bequests,” says President William Robins.

Victoria has also designated considerable internal funding to fund Opportunity Awards within the program, and has established a new William Robins Opportunity Award to recognize President Robins’ priority of inclusive education and his role in raising funds for Victoria University’s student awards programs over the course of his tenure. Victoria College has an established record of prioritizing needs-based financial aid. All students who demonstrate financial need are guaranteed financial assistance.

“I hear from high school students every day who are so driven, talented and hardworking, but who face real financial obstacles to post-secondary education. I applaud Victoria University for their continued commitment and investment in giving access to students to pursue their dreams. Sustained financial commitment across all four years is pivotal to ensuring that students not only enter the University, but are retained and can transition into successful alumni,” says Lydia Gill, manager, access and equity recruitment, University of Toronto.

“Victoria University benefits immensely by having a student body with diverse cultural perspectives, economic backgrounds and personal experiences. I can’t think of a greater honour than to have my name attached to these awards, and for Victoria University to celebrate a community that is living up to its commitment to inclusion,” says Robins.  —Sally Szuster

CAREERS, AUTHORS AND AWARDS

Ulrike Bender Vic 7T5 recently wrote and took the photography for the book Balancing Act: Growing Grapes and Making Wine in Prince Edward County. The book follows the life of the wineries over the course of four seasons, highlighting both the beauty of the vineyards and the process involved in winemaking and the tending of the vines. The text educates readers in accessible language about an important industry and tourist draw, while also giving readers a chance to go behind the scenes. Quotes by PEC winery owners, viticulturists and winemakers, which are sprinkled throughout, provide a rich backdrop for the more than 120 photographs. The book, in its final two pages, also provides readers with a statistical overview of PEC wineries, including a chronology of first plantings among the 42 wineries in operation today in the PEC VQA Appellation of Origin.

David Kim-Cragg Vic 9T3, Emm 9T9 has written his first book, Water from Dragon’s Well: The History of a Korean-Canadian Church Relationship (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2022). The book explores the connection between the Korean Christian community and the Canadian church and its missionaries from the 1890s to the present. Upon the arrival of Canadian missionaries, Korean Christian churches were already voicing nationalist aspirations; by the midtwentieth century, they were demanding independence from Canadian missionary oversight and were participating in a wider democratic movement within South Korea. Kim-Cragg traces Indigenous churches’ resistance to decades of missionary paternalism and the ways they channelled their religious and political energies. Accepting the criticism of its hosts, the United Church of Canada helped build an independent Korean Christian church and, in 1974, ended its Korean mission. This shift in the Canadian missionaries’ colonial attitudes also contributed to the transformation of the United Church

of Canada back home. With the help of Korean leadership in Canada, the church reconstructed its vision of non-Western Christianity and, in a watershed moment, established an ethnic ministry council.

Paul Deepan Vic 8T2 has recently published his fifth biographical collaboration, this time with raconteur extraordinaire Danny Geoffrion. To Hold it High: Four Generations of Hockey’s Most Storied Franchise traces the hockey lineage of Geoffrion’s maternal grandfather Howie Morenz, his father Boom-Boom Geoffrion, himself, and his son Blake, all of whom played for the Montreal Canadiens. To Hold it High is a saga of four generations who played for the same professional sports franchise, a feat not duplicated in any pro sport on the planet. This family story is intertwined with the history of a hockey team, a province and a country. The history of the team cannot be told without mention of this family. The story of the family cannot be told without mention of the team.

Penelope Hui Geng Vic 0T4 studied English at Vic and after graduation, she headed to the U.S. to study Renaissance and Shakespeare studies, first, at the University of Chicago (MA), and after that, at the University of Southern California (PhD in English). After graduating from USC in 2014, she was hired by Macalester College, a top-ranked liberal arts college in St. Paul, Minnesota, to teach Shakespeare and early modern literature. Last year, she was promoted to associate professor of English. She recently published Communal Justice in Shakespeare’s England: Drama, Law, and Emotion.

Paul Gooch, president emeritus of Victoria University, has published Paul and Religion: Unfinished Conversations.

The book explores the continuing and contemporary relevance of the most important, and most controversial, figure of early Christianity. Bringing a philosophical approach to this topic, he connects Paul’s ideas to lived experience. In a conversational style, Gooch explores the apostle Paul’s experience of grace and his dismissal of distinctive markers of religious identity in favour of love as binding together a community. Contrary to common expectations, he finds within Paul’s letters material for conversations about issues in our day, such as gender and sexuality. From his close reading of the Letters, Gooch argues that the Pauline religious form of life is not identical with institutional Christianity.

Tanis Helliwell 6T9 celebrates the publishing of her latest book Good Morning Henry: An in-depth journey with the body intelligence. We are at a time of great change, a time when the old normal has disappeared. The great transition that we are undergoing collectively is a dark night of the soul. To come out of the dark night we need a new set of values, which are lifesustaining and based on love and health of all beings. Good Morning Henry is about working with the body intelligence to heal deep-rooted physical, emotional and spiritual suffering that is caused by this dark night of the soul.

Grace Ji-Sun Kim Vic 9T2 has published two books. Invisible examines encounters with racism, sexism and xenophobia as she works toward ending Asian American women’s invisibility. She deploys biblical, sociological and theological narratives to empower the voices of Asian American women. Speaking with the weight of her narrative, she proclaims that the histories, experiences and voices of Asian American women must be rescued from obscurity. Speaking with the weight of a theologian, she powerfully paves the way for a theology of visibility that honours the voice and identity of these women.

Her second book, Spirit Life, centres on the Spirit as an avenue for better

understanding God and reconciling with our faith. The Spirit is present in the Old Testament as ruach and in the New Testament as pneuma. When the field of theology was prominently German-led, theologians used the word geist to talk about the Spirit. As an Asian-American theologian existing in the liminality between multiple cultural spheres, Kim finds it necessary to retrieve and disseminate Asian words and religious symbols into the mainstream discourse to revolutionize the accessibility and global understanding of God today.

John McClelland Vic 5T6 has recently published, as co-editor for A Cultural History of Sport (Bloomsbury Academic). The six-volume set examines the entire range of sports as cultural phenomena from the founding of the Olympic Games in the early 8th century BCE to the present day. McClelland was responsible for the first three volumes, covering the period 800 BCE–1650 CE. McClelland joined the Vic (latterly U of T) Department of French in 1964 and taught there and in the Faculty of Physical Education until his final retirement in 2014.

Co-authors Beth (Brewer) Parker Vic 7T8 and Jackie Eldridge (Doctor of Education, 9T6) have written How to be a Great Elephant. This children’s book follows the story of a little elephant named EQ who wants to make a big impact on the world and be great. EQ and his flamingo friend Frankie work together to build a flying suit. The two talk about their goals, share their feelings and resolve their differences cooperatively. In the end, both discover “greatness” isn’t always about who’s the smartest, the fastest or even the strongest. It’s the emotional intelligence qualities of empathy, understanding, and honouring each other that makes a great elephant (and a great flamingo) after all!

D. Paul Schafer Vic 6T1 has published The World as Culture: Cultivation of the Soul to the Cosmic Whole (Rock’s Mills Press). This book traces the evolution

of culture as an idea and a reality over the course of human history and makes the case that cultural scholars, historians, and practitioners have provided many ideas, insights, and ideals over the centuries that confirm that culture has a central role to play in the world of the present and the future.

IN MEMORIAM

Susan (Langley) Abermann Vic 7T4, in Qualicum Beach, B.C., June 14, 2021.

Mildred A. (Finlayson) Alexander Vic 5T2, in Toronto, May 1, 2022.

Daniel Allman Vic 9T1, in Victoria, B.C., February 2, 2022.

James W. Baker Vic 4T9, in Burlington, Ont., February 28, 2022.

Patricia M. Balme Vic 4T9, in Oakville, Ont., March 29, 2022.

Roger H. Bedford Vic 6T5, in Vancouver, B.C., January 28, 2022.

Richard T. Bell Vic 6T0, in Toronto, January 15, 2022.

Arthur A. Binnington Vic 5T3, in Aurora, Ont., March 17, 2022

Lois (Davidson) Bobier Vic 4T1, in Kitchener, Ont., April 6, 2022.

Donald D. Campbell Vic 5T2, in Wasaga Beach, Ont., February 22, 2022.

Ronnie S. Chan Vic 9T8, Vic 9T9, in St. Catharine’s, Ont., February 21, 2021.

Helen Channen Vic 5T3, in Kingston, Ont., October 20, 2021.

Edward A. Clarke Vic 5T3, in Ponoka, Alta., April 13, 2022.

John D. Coe Emm 9T3, in Red Deer, Alta., October 13, 2021.

Jean S. (Walwin) Collins Vic 4T2, in Kelowna, B.C., February 3, 2022.

Robert L. Cooke Vic 7T2, in East Garafraxa, Ont., January 30, 2022.

Isobel M. Cork Vic 4T0, in Toronto, March 30, 2022.

Robert E.A. Costello Vic 6T6, in Toronto, January 31, 2022.

Beverley D. (Brown) Cowan Vic 4T9, in Bracebridge, Ont., February 6, 2022.

David M. Cullen Vic 5T9, in Brantford, Ont., January 29, 2022.

Jean A. Cumming Vic 8T2, in Toronto, May 18, 2022.

Marjorie M. (Lamont) Devine Vic 5T9, in Toronto, February 22, 2022.

Marjory Jean (Lander) Dick Vic 4T1, in Greater Sudbury, Ont., January 12, 2022.

Lucille V. (Guest) Dray Vic 5T8, in Calgary, Alta., March 18, 2022.

Gratia M. (Gordon) Dzupina Vic 4T2, in Toronto, April 15, 2022.

George L. Evans Vic 5T5, in Chapleau, Ont., March 28, 2012.

Thursday, Sept. 22 2 p.m.–8 p.m. (Admission $5, students free with ID)

Friday, Sept. 23 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 25 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

Enid M. (Westcott) Ewart Vic 4T1, in Oshawa, Ont., April 19, 2022.

Gordon E. Fairbank Vic 6T0, in Whitby, Ont., January 11, 2022.

Lois I. (Bouck) Fallis Vic 4T7, in Toronto, March 28, 2022.

Kui Y. Fung Vic 7T2, December 2021.

Michael A. Galway Vic 6T1, in Toronto, May 1, 2022.

Donald F. Gardner Vic 4T8, in Simcoe, Ont., February 21, 2022.

Encarnita Gardner’s life was celebrated in Toronto, June 30, 2022. Encarnita is the late wife of John Gardner Vic 5T9 and was a long-time supporter of Vic.

Rudolph W. Gardner Vic 5T7, in Collingwood, Ont., August 25, 2021.

Foster J. Griezic Vic 6T2, in North Vancouver, B.C., February 10, 2022.

Dorothy Barbara Golding, in Toronto, May 16, 2022. Dorothy was a generous supporter of Vic.

Alexander Harvey Vic 7T0, in Toronto, March 15, 2022.

Gregory F. Hawkins Vic 5T6, in Guelph, Ont., April 11, 2022.

Allan R. Hawryluk Vic 6T9, in Mississauga, Ont., February 25, 2022.

Gerald L. Hill Vic 5T1, in Toronto, March 9, 2022.

Carmen Holbrough Emm 7T1, in Ingersoll, Ont., January 20, 2021.

Dorothy M. (Flannery) Horwood Vic 4T8, in Oshawa, Ont., March 14, 2022.

John W. Houston Vic 5T6, Emm 5T8, in Gravenhurst, Ont., April 6, 2022.

John D. Humphreys Vic 5T9, in Gravenhurst, Ont., April 13, 2022.

Charles F. Hutchinson Vic 4T8, in Penetanguishene, Ont., February 10, 2022.

Barbara A. (Wheatley) Hutt Vic 5T3, April 18, 2022.

John Jackson Vic 5T3, in Toronto, Ont., April 2, 2022.

Judith A. Jenkins Vic 6T9, in Burlington, Ont., March 23, 2022.

David Keeling, in Toronto, April 28, 2022. David was Victoria’s bursar, CAO and secretary to the Board of Regents from 2004 to 2009.

Marjory M. (Smallman) Kyle Vic 4T3, in Toronto, April 23, 2022.

Donald W. Laing Vic 5T6, in Toronto, March 29, 2022.

Timothy D. Leaney Vic 9T1, in Stratford, Ont., April 23, 2022.

Nancie E. (Haley) Line Vic 7T8, in Toronto, March 30, 2022.

Wendi J. MacKay Vic 7T1, in Victoria, B.C., January 10, 2022.

Elijah E. Mahepath Vic 0T9, in Toronto, April 9, 2022.

Paul C. McIntyre Vic 5T4, in Toronto, December 8, 2021.

Sara M. Mckee Vic 4T8, in Barrie, Ont., January 6, 2022.

Claire S. McLellan Vic 5T4, in Brockville, Ont., January 31, 2021.

Helen I. McNeil Vic 4T7, in Waterdown, Ont., January 6, 2022.

Muriel C. Milne Vic 4T5, in Toronto, May 6, 2022.

Melba F. (Malott) Munholland Vic 3T9, in LaSalle, Ont., February 11, 2022.

Kenneth G. Murton Vic 5T2, in Toronto, December 1, 2021.

Gayle L. (Punshon) Oram Vic 7T4, in Toronto, May 7, 2022.

Richard W. Outerbridge Vic 8T4, in Toronto, January 30, 2022.

William F.A. Phipps Vic 6T2, Vic 0T0, in Calgary, Alta., March 4, 2022.

Beverley (Ross) Raino Vic 6T6, in Toronto, February 10, 2022.

Charles Edward Rathé Vic 5T0, in Toronto, May 5, 2022. Ted was a French professor at Vic until the late 1960s. Latterly he chaired the Department of French Studies at York University.

Marlyn Ruth Rennie Vic 8T2, in Oshawa, Ont., April 6, 2022.

Patricia A. (Dugit) Reynolds Vic 5T6, in Toronto, March 16, 2022.

Carla H. Rose Vic 0T2, Vic 0T8, in Guelph, Ont., March 17, 2022.

Neil Semple Vic 7T1, in Toronto, January 16, 2022.

Sheila K. (Siberry) Seymour Vic 5T5, in Picton, Ont., March 10, 2022.

Keith R. Shadlock Vic 5T3, in Mississauga, Ont., February 22, 2022.

Patricia Sillers Vic 7T9, in Toronto, January 8, 2022.

Donna J. (Scott) Stephens Vic 6T4, in Huntsville, Ont., August 28, 2021.

A.B. Stevenson Vic 5T7, in Alliston, Ont., July 24, 2021.

William G. Stevenson Vic 5T5, in Toronto, February 3, 2022.

Eleanor E. (Coon) Stryland Vic 4T8, in Toronto, April 19, 2022.

Carolyn S. (Pendleton) Sugden Vic 4T9, in Okanagan Falls, B.C., April 8, 2021.

Ilse G.I. (Scheiderbauer) Von Hausen Vic 5T6, in Kitchener, Ont., January 26, 2022.

Edith M. (Thomson) Wallace Vic 4T5, in Whitby, Ont., April 8, 2022.

Eila M. (Helin) Walters Vic 6T9, in Newmarket, Ont., April 18, 2012.

Arthur Waters Vic 5T0, Emm 5T3, Hon. 8T1, in Riverside Glen, Ont., June 14, 2021.

Gail E. (Johnston) Wellner Vic 6T2, in Toronto, March 12, 2022.

Bruce W. Werry Vic 5T0, in Huntsville, Ont., February 23, 2022.

Margaret R. (Cole) Whebell Vic 5T1, in Brampton, Ont., April 6, 2022.

Gerald B. White Vic 6T4, in Brantford, Ont., August 18, 2020.

Peter D. White Vic 7T3, in Surrey, B.C., March 25, 2022.

Bruce W. Whitehouse Vic 4T9, in Unionville, Ont., May 10, 2022.

next generation of creative thinkers INSPIRE

Victoria College is a vibrant community that welcomes diversity and inclusivity, embraces creativity and is energized by challenge. Our students are encouraged to explore their creativity and to become active global citizens.

Please make your gift to the Victoria College Annual Fund today and help inspire our students to become the next generation of creative thinkers, leaders and innovators.

Your 2022–23 Annual Fund gift will support Vic’s highest priorities, including increasing student financial aid and enhancing its signature programs such as Vic One, Scholars-in-Residence and Vic Ready. Your gift will also help expand high-priority minor programs unique to Vic, such as ‘Creative Expression and Society’ and ‘Science, Technology, and Society.’ Your gift today will ignite the potential of our diverse community tomorrow —and help more Vic students, researchers and faculty members create positive change in our world.

150 Charles Street West, 3rd Floor, Toronto ON M5S 1K9

Online Donations: my.alumni.utoronto.ca/vicaf Donations by Phone: 416-585-4500/1-888-262-9775

For more information, contact Ruth-Ann MacIntyre, senior development officer, at r.macintyre@utoronto.ca.

Where There’s a Will … Planning Your Legacy

Whether it is recognizing the impact of your education on your life and career, expressing gratitude for your University experiences, or paying forward the help you received from a bursary or scholarship, there are many reasons for choosing to remember Victoria University in your estate plans. Charitable bequests and other forms of planned gifts can help you plan your legacy, while providing financial benefits.

For more information on charitable bequests, other forms of planned giving, the five steps you should take to plan your legacy, or to receive a free Victoria University estate planning primer and workbook, please contact Sharon Gregory, associate director of gift planning, at 416-813-4050, or sharon.gregory@utoronto.ca.

All those who have made a provision for Victoria College or Emmanuel College in their estate plans are eligible to join Victoria University’s Heritage Society.

If you are considering a bequest to Victoria or Emmanuel, here is suggested wording:

I give and bequeath to the Board of Regents of Victoria University, Toronto, Ontario, the sum of $ or % or shares of my estate.

We see the impact of donor support every day at Victoria College!

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