(Originally published in the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph newsletter, March 2024)

Many congratulations to Sr. Mary Anne McCarthy (Toronto) for receiving the prestigious Arbor Award from the University of Toronto for her outstanding service to the University of St. Michael’s College. The Arbor award was established in 1989 and is the highest honour granted by the U of T in recognition of sustained contributions to specific academic units – such as faculties, colleges or institutes.

In January, Sr. Mary Anne and other 2023 Arbor Award recipients were honoured at a special ceremony hosted by U of T President Meric Gertler. As a representative of the Sisters of St. Joseph on the Collegium of the University of St. Michael’s College, Sister contributed to their strategic planning process and offered valuable input to the new mission, vision and values that will guide USMC towards a future of enhanced sustainability and impact for the common good.

As Sr. Mary Anne shared: “I was happy that this award not only recognizes my personal involvement with the University of St. Michael’s College (USMC), but more importantly honours the many Sisters of St. Joseph who have greatly contributed to the enrichment of student life at USMC and the University of Toronto”.

St. Mike’s has created several alumni awards to honour our outstanding alumni. Submissions for 2024 awards are due by March 15, 2024. Any submissions received after then will be held for consideration in 2025. The nomination form is available online. Information about the awards is listed below.

Dr. Richard Alway Award
Named for Dr. Richard Alway (SMC 6T2), St. Michael’s President for 18 years, and established in 2007 by our Alumni Association. The Alway Award is given in recognition of alumni whose significant contributions to society bring esteem to them and to the College.

Spirit of St. Mike’s Award
This award is presented to an exceptional member of the alumni community who embodies the values of St Mike’s – Human Dignity, Community, Social Justice, Service, and Sustainability – in their professional, leadership and community impact roles.

Young Alumni Impact Award
Presented annually to a member of the alumni community who graduated from St. Mike’s in the last 10 years who has made a distinguished and outstanding impact in their professional accomplishments, and contributions of service to benefit society.

Prof. Victoria Mueller-Carson Trailblazer Award
For more than 100 years women have made their mark at the University of St. Michael’s College. As the first women trailblazers, the Loretto Sisters and the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived at St. Mike’s as professors and advocates for women’s higher education, opening the College doors for female students. Named after Prof. Mueller-Carson, the first laywoman on staff in the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto and a long-time professor of Germanic Studies, this award is open to all alumni in the St Mike’s community who can be described as pioneers, innovators, and trailblazers, making a ground-breaking contribution to improving and enriching the lives of others and creating positive change.

Victor Dodig Community Impact Award
Named for Victor Dodig (SMC 8T8), President & CEO of CIBC, this award is presented to a member of the alumni community who exerts influence, powerfully promotes innovation as an ally, and demonstrates a substantial impact in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in their professional lives, in their community, or through dedicated service. Victor’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the way he represents St. Mike’s are an inspiration to all members of our community.

The University of Toronto Student Leadership Awards (UTSLA) recognize students in their final year who have at least one year of significant volunteer leadership and high-impact service.

St. Michael’s is pleased to announce the 2023 award winners and to congratulate students who have shown their leadership and volunteerism and made a positive impact on and beyond campus:

Evangeline Cowie 

Shameel Rajnath Mohammed 

Sophia Anna Poulimenakos 

Andrew Roberts 

Ella Tetrault 

Awarded for the first time in 2020, the UTSLA awards continue U of T’s long-standing tradition of recognizing outstanding student leadership, volunteer service, and commitment to the university.  Recipients of the UTSLA join the distinguished community of past Cressy Award recipients.

Congratulations to the 2023 recipients!

A new partnership with Indspire has created the “University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto” award for Indigenous students. 

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students enrolled at St. Michael’s in undergraduate programs, the Regis-St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, and the diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability are all eligible to apply. 

Eight awards of $4,400 each will be granted annually. The funds go directly to the students, to be used for tuition, residence fees, or other expenses. 

Applications are made via Indspire, which will oversee the selection and award process. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Indspire to provide support for our Indigenous students,” says University President David Sylvester. “This is a significant moment for St. Michael’s.” 

Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. 

Please see the Indspire website for more information on how to apply for the “University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto” award. 

Convocation is a time not only for celebrating memories and friendships, but also the academic and extracurricular achievements of the graduating class. Celebrate the accomplishments of this fall’s College Silver Medal and Fr. Madden Leadership Award winners with us as members of the Class of 2021 enter the St. Michael’s alumni family.

St. Michael’s College Silver Medal

College Silver Medals are awarded to all graduating students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.7. The recipients of College Silver Medals for Fall 2021 are:

Thomas Borrillo
Yiting (Claire) Fan
Kyle Girdhari
Ali Raza Hasan Ali
Anaiah Lebreton
Vera Nekrasovsky
Hao Guyen
Joanne Zejmo

The Fr. Robert Madden, CSB Leadership Awards

Father Robert Madden was a much admired professor, chaplain and rector at St Mike’s who served as the director of alumni affairs in his retirement. The Father Robert Madden Leadership Awards are presented to students who have made significant contributions to the University of St. Michael’s College community by demonstrating leadership, cooperation, and solidarity in student-run organizations or community endeavours.

The recipient of the Fr. Robert Madden, CSB Leadership Award for Fall 2021 is:

Christeen Salik

Celebrate Fall 2021 graduates with us during a virtual convocation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts & Science Thursday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. 

The University of St. Michael’s College offers heartfelt congratulations to Sr. Anne Anderson, C.S.J., on being named this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada.

“Sr. Anne’s dedication and contributions to both health care and higher education in Ontario have been boundless,” says University President David Sylvester. “She has brought the same passion to health care that she has provided to St. Michael’s in her lengthy career here. We remain grateful for her insights and energy.”

Chair of the St. Joseph Health System Board of Directors, Sister Anne has been a past President of the Catholic Health Association of Ontario and member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Health Association of Canada.

She was appointed President and Vice Chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto in January 2009, having previously served there as Interim President as of July 2008, in addition to her duties as the Dean of the Faculty of Theology. Sister Anne has been a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton since 1958, and served the Congregation as General Councillor and General Treasurer from 1999-2009.

The Lifetime Achievement award was made at the CHAS annual conference, taking place virtually May 6 and 7. The alliance states that “Catholic Health Care in Canada has been blessed with a legacy of faithful leaders whose dedication throughout their careers has built the ministry and ultimately brought healing to persons and communities.”

Sr. Anne, it notes, it notes, is one such leader, a person who has “inspired and mentored numerous others in Catholic health care and whose accomplishments, over the course of a career, have strengthened the ministry.”

“Whether it’s encouraging and supporting students or safeguarding—and advocating for—patient-focussed healthcare, Sr. Anne is a powerful ally. This honour is well deserved,” says Faculty of Theology Interim Dean John L. McLaughlin.

St. Michael’s College student Nicole Machado (BSc’21) has been named a finalist for the inaugural McCall MacBain Scholarships, Canada’s first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship for master’s and professional studies.

The scholarship enables students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University while connecting with mentors and participating in an intensive leadership development program.

Nicole will join 49 Canadian peers, including two other University of Toronto students, at virtual final interviews from March 11 to 13, 2021. She will participate in interviews with Canadian leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector.

“We are thrilled to hear Nicole’s news and we cheer her on as she moves forward in the McCall MacBain Scholarship process,” says Dr. David Sylvester, President of the University of St. Michael’s College. “Nicole’s academic and volunteer experiences have all been directed toward the greater good. She is a great model of how St. Michael’s students understand that education isn’t only about books and exams but primarily about recognizing—and celebrating—the dignity and value of all.”

Over 735 people applied for the McCall MacBain Scholarships, and 132 participated in regional interviews with local leaders in November before the 50 finalists were selected. Up to 20 McCall MacBain Scholars will be chosen after final interviews.

Finalists were chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

Nicole volunteered at a local hospital for five years, more recently as a weekly visitor to support elderly patients, and helped prepare meals at a women’s shelter. On campus, she mentored first-year students and organized social activities for students in drama clubs.

Nicole is set to earn her BSc in Pharmacology this year. She worked at an oncology lab and, as part of the Professional Experience Year program, conducted research on drug delivery and medical devices at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is applying for master’s programs in biological and biomedical engineering and in experimental medicine.

“There is no typical McCall MacBain Scholar,” said Natasha Sawh, Dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. “We look for potential in students from all walks of life, with different academic and volunteer interests. What unites them is the inner drive to learn, lead, and make a positive impact in other people’s lives.”

Finalists who are not selected as McCall MacBain Scholars will be eligible for a $10,000 entrance award for their studies at McGill University. The scholarships are the result of the 2019 landmark gift of $200 million (Canadian), the single-largest gift in Canadian history at that time, by John and Marcy McCall MacBain. The McCall MacBain Scholarships will expand internationally over the next decade, with nearly 300 McCall MacBain Scholars selected by 2030.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic drew life on campus to an early close, St. Michael’s students continued to enrich the community with their talents and service as their coursework and extra-curricular activities transitioned to online platforms. 

This year’s Student Life Leadership Awards recognize the outstanding extra-curricular contributions to the University and the St. Michael’s community as a whole during a particularly challenging time.  

New awards recognizing Service in Student Mental and Physical Wellbeing, Leadership in Community and Cultural Development, and Outstanding Contributions to Social Justice Initiatives were introduced in 2020 to highlight areas of distinct interest to St. Michael’s students, staff and faculty.  

Several awards recognize creative initiatives that are a vibrant part of campus life, including student publications and the arts. “The theatre is a space for people of all different experiences and backgrounds to come together and work to create something beautiful,” says third-year student Emily Villani. As Artistic Director for SMC Troubadours, Villani oversaw and performed in theatrical productions, including a recent production of Guys and Dolls.  

Other awards recognize the work of students to foster inclusion, social justice, and a deep sense of welcome.  A major goal for Sonakshi Sharma, a third-year student and Executive member of the Indian Students’ Society at U of T, is to help international students find more familiar and comfortable spaces in campus community—especially in the area of cultural representation. “I believe building such a community is important for students in order to have a comprehensive university experience,” says Sharma.   

Athletics, a longstanding area of achievement and an important part of the education of the whole person at St. Michael’s, is another area in which students are being recognized for leadership and service to their peers. “Intramurals are an incredible foundation for a social and athletic life on campus!” says Mika Embury, fourth-year student and recipient of the Mary H. Lee Award for Leadership in Women’s Sports.  

Student Life Associate Emma Graham describes the recipients as “leaders who actively encourage their peers to get involved, follow their dreams, and build up others.” Their influence has helped other students at the college become active participants in community life outside the classroom. Each award is peer-nominated, which means that each recipient is being recognized not only by the College, but by fellow students who benefited from their service. 

The full list of the 2020 Student Life Leadership Awards can be found below, with more details available on Facebook.  

• Award for Leadership in the Arts: Emily Villani 
• Award for Leadership in Community and Cultural Development: Sonakshi Sharma 
• Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Justice Initiatives: Adam Da Costa Gomes 
• Award for Excellence in Peer Mentorship: Sam Gruppuso 
• Award for Outstanding Exhibition of College Spirit and Pride: Simran Dhir 
• Award for Service in Student Mental and Physical Wellbeing: Christeen Salik 
• Award for Leadership in Student Publications: Ian Hauber 
• Award for Male Athlete of the Year: Victor Wakelin 
• Sr. Kathleen Heffron Award for Female Athlete of the Year: Elaine Pityn 
• Mary H. Lee Award for Leadership in Women’s Sports: Mika Embury 
• Kevin Fawcett Award for Freshman Athlete of the Year: Eloïse Alarie 

TORONTO, Oct. 23 – Four projects demonstrating the impact of business and governments’ Social Responsibility and Sustainability practices on youth mental health, Truth and Reconciliation, municipal CSR engagement, and the real estate sector have earned nominations for the inaugural USMC President’s Capstone Project Award for the Graduate Certificate in CSR/Sustainability.

The nominated projects are:

• “Stand Up! For Youth Mental Health: Will Community Investment Pay Off for Family Channel?” by Nikki Byrne
• “Indigenous Impact Report” by Alexandra Biron
• “Bringing to Life a CSR/Sustainability Conversation for the City of Mississauga” by Andrea McLeod
• “A CSR Strategy for the Canadian Real Estate Association” by Sarah Thirnbeck

“The Corporate Social Responsibility program is a vital offering at the University of St. Michael’s College, helping business and institutions focus on ways to become better – and more effective – global citizens, whether environmentally, socially, or economically,” says St. Michael’s President David Sylvester. “Program participants return to their workplaces as leaders engaged in social impact that benefits their employers and society. We want to celebrate these extraordinary changemakers with this new award.”

Thirty participants are accepted annually to St. Michael’s CSR program, which attracts students from across Canada and around the world from sectors as diverse as banking and manufacturing to education and NGOs. Participants meet on campus for three sessions over a 13-month period and connect online throughout the program, engaging in readings, webinars, videos, and shared reflections on ethical behaviours that create shared value that contributes to society’s wellbeing. The summative capstone assignment sees participants work with a mentor from their field on a project to apply knowledge, skills and perspectives learned or honed during the program.

Projects considered for the President’s Capstone Award must be distinguished in what they achieve or propose in one or more of the following criteria: 1) advancing social and/or environmental impact; 2) introducing innovative practices in social and environmental responsibility, sustainability, ESG and/or 3) significantly advancing social and environmental responsibility, sustainability and/or ESG to the creator’s organization.

Nominated projects were judged by a panel which includes Kaz Flinn, Chair, St. Michael’s advisory committee for the CSR program; Dr Stephen Scharper, associate professor at the School of the Environment and the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto; and Mary Ann Sayers, a graduate of the CSR program and senior business consultant at West Pine Consultants Inc. For more information, please see the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Website.

About the University of St. Michael’s College

The University of St. Michael’s College (USMC), federated with the University of Toronto, is a Catholic institution of higher learning founded by the Congregation of St. Basil, whose motto, “Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge,” sets the tone for campus life. 

A Business Advisory Committee ensures the CSR program is relevant and experiential.  CSR/Sustainability Leaders representing a broad range of industries from insurance to mining, including: The Co-operators, BMO Financial,  Scotia Bank (ret.),  Vermillion Energy, Centerra Gold , ESG Ledger, Conference Board of Canada,  and Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto) provide advice and input.

For More Information Contact

Kathryn A. Cooper, Program Manager, Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability

Phone: (519) 855-9491

Website: https://www.csr-stmikes.ca/

The 20th annual Media Ecology Association Convention brought together hundreds of scholars for panels and presentations on ethical issues at the cutting edge of technological development and society today. Presented by St. Michael’s, the intellectual home of media ecologist, critic and theorist Marshall McLuhan, the conference also provided an opportunity to recognize the achievements of scholars continuing the legacy of McLuhan’s work.

With congratulations to all winners, here are the awards presented at the 2019 MEA Convention:

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