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WINTER 2014 INSIDE Fighting child exploitation in Dominican Republic Never too old to rock Meet New Girl's Hannah Simone THE bumblebee effect HOW CANADA’S FIRST CHANGEMAKER CAMPUS IS USING BEES, BEADS AND BUSINESS SKILLS TO CHAMPION GLOBAL CHANGE

The bumblebee effect - Ryerson University · social, career and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep current on university develop - ments, alumni associations, events and

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Page 1: The bumblebee effect - Ryerson University · social, career and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep current on university develop - ments, alumni associations, events and

winter 2014

INsIdeFighting child exploitation in Dominican Republic

Never too old to rock

Meet New Girl's Hannah Simone

The bumblebee effect

how Canada’s firsT

ChaNgemaker Campus

is using bees, beads

and business

skills To Champion

global Change

Page 2: The bumblebee effect - Ryerson University · social, career and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep current on university develop - ments, alumni associations, events and

Ryerson University Magazine is published twice a year for alumni and friends. Reproduction, republication or distribution of content and photographs is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the editor.

Vice-President, UniVersity AdVAncement: Adam B. Kahan

AssistAnt V.P., commUnicAtions, GoVernment And commUnity enGAGement: Erin McGinn

execUtiVe editor: Bruce Pierceyeditor: Colleen MellorAssociAte editor: Andy Lee desiGn: Wendy SchroderPhotoGrAPhy: Dave Upham

contAct: Ryerson University Magazine Ryerson University 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON CANADA M5B 2K3Phone: 416-979-5000 ext. 7000Fax: 416-979-5166Email: [email protected]: ryerson.ca/alumni/magazine

member Council of Ontario Universities (COU), Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), and Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

© 2014 Ryerson University ISSN: 1713-627X • Published January 2014

PUblicAtions AGreement nUmber 40065112

PriVAcy PolicyRyerson University respects your privacy. On gradu-ation, Ryerson will continue to hold your contact and certain other information so that we can contact alumni from time to time to offer the benefits of our affinity programs, to provide information about social, career and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep current on university develop-ments, alumni associations, events and programs and Alumni Achievement Awards, and to facilitate alumni participation in Ryerson University alumni activities. Ryerson discloses your personal contact information to outside organizations or agencies, such as mailing houses or telephone services, to enable them to contact alumni on behalf of Ryerson and its affinity partners but ensures it has entered into confidentiality agreements with those outside organizations so that alumni personal information is kept confidential. ryerson does not rent, trade or sell its mailing or telephone lists.

The university periodically contacts alumni by phone or mail about affinity programs and/or fundraising initiatives. If you would like us to refrain from contacting you and/or discontinue your free subscription to the magazine, please email [email protected] or call 1-866-428-8881.

Also see “Privacy of Personal Information”: ryerson.ca/studentguide/Introduction2.html

This magazine is available as an accessible PDF at www.ryerson.ca/alumni/magazine/winter14.pdf

AYUTHAYABERTHOLD IMAGOCENTURY GOTHICCHARLOTTE SANSCONDUITcronos

dead historyDIN regularheitistone sans

WINTER 2011

FOR ALUMNIAND FRIENDS

t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s WIN TER 2014

23

in every issue3 President’s messAGe Changemaker Campus

4 showcAse Walking on Gould Street

6 GoUld street Highlights, photos and what’s next at Ryerson

29 in my oPinion Never too old to rock by Paul Fraumeni

30 GiVinG bAck Alumni and friends give generously to Make Your Mark Campaign

32 AlUmni diAry/VP ViewPoint News and events from alumni groups

36 clAss notes Updates from alumni

44 remember when? A LOOK BACK INTO RYERSON’S HISTORY The largest nursing school in Canada has been a leader in innovative curriculum for 50 years

cover story12 bee-inG the chAnGe How Ryerson social innovators are sowing seeds of change with the help of an industrious insect By Andy Lee

features 20 AGents of chAnGe Social justice work transforms children’s lives in the Dominican Republic By Mark Witten 23 crAftinG it old school In a digital world, alumni find their niche making things by hand By Chantal Braganza

alumni profiles26 to liGhtly Go ... At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, Adrian Tang develops electronics for robotic exploration of space

27 who’s thAt Girl? New Girl’s Hannah Simone performs on screens big and small

28 from Gimmick to GAme-chAnGer Helen Papagiannis harnesses technology to improve people’s lives

20

coVer story

12

ILLUSTRATION: SéBASTIEN THIBEAULT35

You can make all the difference. Your contribution to Ryerson University makes great things happen for Ryerson students. From scholarships that help students realize their potential to new equipment in the faculties, from new technologies and resources in the Library to support for student athletics, your generosity helps others make their mark.Each and every gift matters. Each and every gift makes a mark.Thank you.

Create OpportunitiesPower InnovationStrengthen Success

For more information or to donate please visit ryerson.ca/supporting/giving

7

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2 ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

from the editor

we’re asking you.each new year, i make

resolutions such as eat less junk food and save more money. this year, i wrote

“volunteer” at the top of my list. i invite you to do the same. we are

such a privileged society – enjoying freedom, security and the opportunity to be educated, find meaningful work and live well. whatever stage we’re at in our lives, it makes sense to find a way to contribute to society, whether it’s signing up for a terry fox run, volunteering overseas or leveraging your knowledge, experience and network to solve an entrenched social problem.

our cover story “bee-ing the change” on page 12 may provide inspiration as it focuses on social justice and innovation. Associate editor Andy lee tells the compelling story of students, faculty members and alumni who are tackling society’s problems with creativity and ambition. you’ll meet alumni who found their passion as ryerson students and brought their education to bear on issues that mean everything to them. they help define social innovation, a growing global movement that’s in ryerson’s dnA. leading thinkers at the university teach innovation and entrepreneurship in every faculty and mentor students who want to make a difference.

in addition to the alumni featured in the cover story, there’s a remarkable story about journalism graduate Jaime stein in the class notes section. stein climbed mount kilimanjaro last summer to raise funds for the canadian blood services (#climb4cord) and generated tons of support with a creative and ambitious social media campaign.

i don’t promise to climb mount kilimanjaro this year, but i do promise to volunteer my time and energy to make the world a better place. if you feel the same, please share your plans by writing [email protected] and we’ll print your letters in the next edition. n

colleen mellor, JoUrnAlism ’86

Make it count

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 • ryerson University Magazine 3

Student group

Enactus won the

Canadian National

Championship for

transformational

entrepreneurship.

Last fall, three remarkable occasions celebrated Ryerson

leadership in social innovation and entrepreneurship.

In September, Ryerson became the first university in Canada to be named a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka, a global network of social innovators. The culmination of a rigorous multi-step selection process, the designation recognizes Ryerson’s qualities of leadership in pioneering zone learning, mainstreaming entrepreneurship across its programs and having an academic community committed to social change.

Around the same time, Ryerson accepted an invitation from Free The Children, the renowned charity co-founded by Craig and Marc

Kielburger, to be the post-secondary sponsor of We Day Toronto 2013. Twenty thousand young students watched the premiere screening of a Ryerson video about Teriano Lesancha, Social Work ’12, whose extraordinary story continues to impact her native Kenya. Watch the video at www.ryerson.ca/news/WeDayTeriano.

Meanwhile in Mexico, the Ryerson Enactus team (a student entrepre-neurship group) was representing Canada at the 2013 Enactus World Cup, carrying the flag of our country and vibrant blue-and-gold spirit onto the global stage. Earlier in the year, the Ryerson team won the Canadian National Championship for trans-formational social entrepreneurship

projects at home and abroad. These examples, and the stories you

will read in this issue, are powerful in two fundamental ways. First, they of-fer the ingenuity of practical approach-es, and hope for a self-made future. Second, they challenge the definition of “entrepreneurial” by expanding our understanding to realize that innova-tion in all its forms can be put to work as an engine for social good.

Ryerson Chancellor Lawrence Bloomberg said it best when he re-flected that an entrepreneur is anyone who wants to change the status quo. Ryerson is honoured to be a change-maker – and to credit the amazing work of our students, alumni, part-ners and staff in making the world a better place. n

Changemaker Campus AN ACADEMIC COMMUNIT Y DEDICATED TO SOCIAL INNOVATION

BY SHELDON LEVY

President’s meSSAGe

NIC

HO

LAS

YEHYour letters

PrintinG Pro

I was pleased and surprised to see myself in a photo in the last issue (“News School,” June 2013), stand-ing behind Dan Hawkes operating the printing

machine. It was 1957 and I had come from England that year to teach in the printing management department and was also responsible for printing The Ryersonian. I taught graphic design and printing process at Ryerson for 25 years, then retired in 1981. I am now 97 years old and was very happy to be part of The Ryersonian.

Dennis Milton, Thornhill, Ont.

What a pleasure it was to see one of my teachers and mentors, Dennis Milton, in the background of the 1957 photo (“News School,” June 2013). He is the serious-looking pressman awaiting approval to print The Ryer-sonian. Besides teaching us all about printing and presses from a lifetime of knowledge and experience, he really sparked my learning in his design classes. Thanks to teachers Mr. Atkins, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Silcox and Mr. Milton, for shaping my career and life.

Kim Konarzycki, Graphic Arts Management ’78, Georgetown, Ont.

welcome bAckI enjoyed the article on the 50th anniversary celebration of the Early Learning Centre (“Learning for Life,” June 2013). I graduated from the Early Childhood Studies program in 1958. Until then, the course was called Child-hood Management. Our year advocated rigor-ously for an end to managing children and requested a name change. At that time, there was no onsite facility. All our practical experi-ence was at venues all over the city. There

were plans, though. I recall that one of our final assignments was to design a playground for the new facility. I would be delighted to receive information about the October celebration. It would be fun to see what exists 55 years after our initial dreams.

Sandy Albrecht, ECS ’58, North York, Ont.

(editor’s note: we heard from the early learning centre that sandy did attend the october celebration last fall).

AdAPtinG to the modern economyThank you for bringing attention to some successful Ryerson graduates and showing how they have navigated through a tough job market (“Pass Go, Launch Your Career,” June 2013). The statistics that you quoted, howev-er, seemed to suggest that Ryerson graduates in general are quite well off after graduating (84 per cent of employed grads are working in their field within six months of graduating). It should be made clear that despite Ryerson’s unique edge, the school is not immune to the systemic issues which hinder nearly all youth today. Increasing tuition fees and student debt and the growing discrepancies between job requirements and educational credentials are issues that today's grads must face due to the inability of universities to adapt to the modern economy.

Marc Herscovitch, Sociology ’10Toronto, Ont.

bUildinG A cAreerWhen I think of my Ryerson days from 1956 to ’59, I feel a wave of affection. What a wise decision for my post-secondary education. I thought architecture was my field and my ultimate career, but I settled on construction (general contracting) and it has been a very rewarding career. Thank you, Ryerson, for preparing me for it.

I started my business M. P. Lundy Construc-tion Limited in 1967 and retired in 2003. The business is now run by my son, Sean, who graduated from Western University, an English major with eight summers as a con-struction labourer. The future looks great for everyone. I am still on the payroll!

Michael Lundy, Architecture ’59Ottawa, Ont.

dennis milton, left, looks on as editor-in-chief dan hawkes reviews the ryersonian in 1957.

milton in a 1990 photo.

PHO

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4 ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 • ryerson University Magazine 5

showcAsem

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, im

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’06

Gould street, partially closed to traffic, offers more student space and hosts exhibits, performances and vibrant street life.

Page 5: The bumblebee effect - Ryerson University · social, career and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep current on university develop - ments, alumni associations, events and

Joshna maharaj: cooking up healthy food on campus.

A new era of

foodApple-pecan-raisin oatmeal

for breakfast, fresh pies at Thanksgiving and homemade soup every day. These are a few of the tasty items on the campus menu this year, thanks to Joshna Maharaj, the new assistant director, Food Services, and executive chef.

Maharaj is a good-food advo-cate and chef who is re-inventing campus food with an emphasis on locally sourced, wholesome meals. “I really think it is important for students to eat better quality

food,” says Maharaj, who has worked with the Scarborough Hospital and SickKids Hospital. “Students need to keep their en-ergy up and their brains working.”

One innovation is a daily “super popular” five-dollar meal. “It will never be pizza and chips,” Maharaj promises. “We are try-ing to provide wholesome and nutritious food that’s affordable, has a low impact on the planet and still tastes really good!”

New menu labels identify vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, gluten-free and sustainable choic-es, making it easier for students to find the type of food they want.

In addition to the new menu choices, Maharaj is fostering a positive atmosphere around cam-pus food, with weekly food trucks and fun events such as a cook-off featuring sustainable ingredients at the fall farmers market.

master’s grad wins prestigious fuLbriGht AwArd

daniel Guadagnolo has always been interested in studying capital

markets, and now the communication and culture master’s graduate will be the first Ryerson student to pursue his studies with the prestigious Fulbright Canada Student Award. The scholarship is awarded to the best and brightest Canadian and American students to foster academic exchange.

The award allows Guadagnolo to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a PhD focusing on the role of the market, economics and capitalism in everyday life. His current project examines the cultural history of niche marketing in North America from 1945-1989.

daniel Guadagnolo, communication and culture (master’s) ’13, has won the Fulbright Canada Student Award.

N e w S A b o u t t o d A Y ’ S r Y e r S o N

CoNtributorS: ANdY Lee, ANtoiNette merCurio ANd Peter oNAte

GoUld Street

Construction of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) is

progressing, promising a dazzling space for students.

“It’s exciting to see the transformation of the Yonge and Gould corner through a building that will provide some much needed new space for our students,” said Julia Hanigsberg, vice-president, administration and finance. “All of our teams working on the project have done a magnificent job in moving it

forward; the excitement is building as we see the Student Learning Centre rising on Yonge Street.”

The eight-storey building will be a state-of-the-art addition to the city and the university campus, providing students with space for individual and group study. Along with a glass facade, the design features an elevated plaza, a bridge connecting to the Library, and academic, study and collaborative spaces. The SLC is part of the university’s Make Your Mark

campaign in action. Fundraising is underway and, with the support of the community, the SLC will be a landmark achievement.

The location on Yonge Street influenced the SLC design, says architect Craig Dykers, principal designer of Snøhetta, one of two architecture firms on the project. “The campus is not a box; it’s integrated with the city. And the SLC hammers that message home.”

t r A N S f o r m i N G Y O N G E S T R E E T

the student learning centre, pictured here under construction, will be a state-of-the-art

addition to the city and the campus.

r yerson established a groundbreaking collaboration with the Bombay

Stock Exchange Institute Ltd. (BSEI), Ryerson University and Ryerson Futures Inc. (RFI). Together, they are creating the BSEI-Ryerson Digital Media Zone, a new India-based incubator for entrepreneurs to fast-track their startups and connect with mentors, customers and investors. The collaboration lays the groundwork to help young entrepreneurs expand into both

the Indian and Canadian markets and also touches on a broad spectrum of areas in the domain of entrepreneurship development and professional development education. The partnership’s first activity was The Next Big Idea contest. The two innovative companies who won the contest last fall brought their companies to Ryerson’s DMZ for three weeks for mentorship, business development expertise and valuable international experience.

bigideas

N e x t iNdiA’ S

mA

rk b

lin

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mA

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6

6 ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 • ryerson University Magazine 7

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GoUld Street

8 ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 • ryerson University Magazine 9

Go Green!Go Green!helP Us redUce oUr PAPer Use by sUbscribinG to ryerson UniVersity mAGAzine’s diGitAl edition

Thank you for helping us go green!

If you prefer to receive a digital edition instead of a printed copy of the magazine, just visit www.ryerson.ca/alumni/magazine and complete the form to select delivery via email. When each edition is ready, we’ll email you the link instead of sending a print copy by mail. You will be able to read the stories online, on your iPad or your mobile phone.

View the current edition online at www.nxtbook.com/dawson/ryerson/alumni_2014winter

Poor pig fat. More maligned than butter, so misunderstood by our health-obsessed society. According to the Toronto Star, however, pure lard isn’t

as bad as we think – it’s just hard to find. While the solid commercial version comes laced with chemicals and hydrogenated fats, organic lard

rendered from a butcher’s swine fat has zero trans fats and more healthy monounsaturated fat than butter. In piglet-sized portions, pork fat can be a

“functional” part of a balanced diet, says nutrition professor Nick Bellissimo: “It tastes great, it works well, it’s a very user-friendly fat.”

ILLU

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ERR

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I

fUndinG takes dMz startup to new level

A lumni Evgeny Tchebotarev and Oleg Gutsol are living

the entrepreneur’s dream. The founders of photo-sharing site 500px successfully developed their business over four years, attracting U.S. investors who last year provided $8.8 million in series-A funding.

500px started as a LiveJournal on the web during Tchebotarev’s undergraduate days in the Ted Rogers School of Management. In 2009, the team re-launched 500px as a website and joined the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) at Ryerson in 2011. While at the DMZ, the team grew from three to 12, and in July 2011 was named Toronto’s number-one startup in the TechVibes Startup Index. The growing company moved out of the DMZ into their first downtown office. The most recent funding allowed them to expand further, hiring more

developers for the Toronto office and opening a Palo Alto, Calif. location.

Tchebotarev credits their success to the DMZ and to staying persistent. He and Gutsol spent eight months calling investors, sending data, models and background information to pique interest.

“We worked out of my apartment prior to the DMZ, so I was very happy to get into the DMZ,” he said. “We experienced our first funding and massive growth there. Working from the DMZ drives you to work more and bounce off ideas. It fosters creativity because of the constant circulation of talent.”

Alumnus evgeny tchebotarev, of photo-sharing site 500px, took the company from his apartment to the dmz, and with series-A funding, landed in silicon Valley.

ryerson awarded law Practice Program

Ryerson University will be providing the Law Practice

Program (LPP), a new and unique alternative to the traditional articling program in Ontario and the first of its kind in Canada. The Law Society of Upper Canada awarded Ryerson the opportunity to develop and deliver the LPP following a competitive proposal process.

The LPP is part of the Law Society’s three-year pilot project designed to respond to the changing legal landscape and remove barriers to licensing. The Ryerson LPP will feature:

• Interactive, web-based learning modules to create virtual law firms and simulate actual legal practice scenarios

•Legal practitioners as mentors and guides

•Four-month work placements available across the province, in all areas of legal practice, size of firm and type of practice, including those where articling positions are not as common such as in-house counsel, legal clinics, small firms, rural firms, and family and criminal law practices

•Equality in the licensing requirement with traditional articling; candidates from both pathways will be eligible for licensing in Ontario

Visit www.ryerson.ca/lpp for more information.

how i LeArNed to StoP worrYiNG AND love lard

The university acquired the sam the record man store property at the corner of yonge

and Gould street in 2008 to develop the new student learning centre (slc). the former sam’s store included a large neon sign facing yonge street that served as a symbol of the street for a generation of torontonians. last fall, during a public discussion about where the sign will be installed, President sheldon levy said that the university recognizes the significance of the iconic sign to many torontonians and is committed to restoring and reinstalling it. on oct. 9, city council passed a motion deferring the matter of the sam’s sign location to the deputy city manager for further consideration. the university is working with the city and other stakeholders to explore potential sites for the sign. Visit musiconyonge.com to read a special tribute to sam’s. it’s part of an extensive website that ryerson commissioned to commemorate the role yonge street has played in the development of the canadian music industry.

CommemorAtiNG

record man

samthe

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GoUld Street

10 ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 • ryerson University Magazine 11

Nominations must be completed and submitted by WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014 at 12 noon.To fi ll out a nomination form, please visit ryerson.ca/about/governors/elections.(Nomination forms will not be accepted after this time.)

For more information, contact:Board Secretariat O� ceEmail: [email protected]

It’s a rewarding opportunity to serve as an alumni representative on the Ryerson University Board of Governors. As one of 24 board members, you’ll serve an important role in the governance and future of the university.

In 2014 one alumnus will be elected to the Board of Governors. Another alumnus with the second-highest number of votes in the same election will be asked to fi ll an alumni vacancy on the Board. One of these could be you. To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Governors, visit www.ryerson.ca/governors.

Thinking of running? Ryerson will show you how to do it.

Help Govern Ryerson!Two alumni seats available on the Ryerson University Board of Governors.

t he Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) 2014 winter season features four exhibitions

that focus on national, social and technological histories. Through the use of documentary photography and film, each exhibition examines a transforming

cultural landscape. The public opening reception will take place on Jan. 22, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Robert Burley: The Disappearance of Darkness examines both the dramatic and historical demise of film-manufacturing facilities and industrial darkrooms, and the shift to digital technologies. Phil Bergerson: Emblems and Remnants of the American Dream features photographs taken during dozens of extended road trips criss-crossing the United States in search of the “American Dream.” On the Salah J. Bachir New Media Wall, Black Star Subject: Canada displays every one of the 1,853 photographs filed under the “Canada” subject heading in the Black Star Collection. Elisa Julia Gilmour: Something in Someone's Eye features four cinematic portraits using Kodak Ektachrome film, a material that will inevitably disappear with time.

by the time Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team hits the

ice for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia this Febru-ary, they will have played close to 50 games and put in 10 months of intense training, six days a week, 10 hours a day. As their assistant coach, Lisa Haley was with the team every step of the way, learning as much as she could before she resumes her role as head coach of the Ryerson Rams women’s hockey team.

“The opportunity to meet other professionals that can help me grow as a coach and bring that experience and knowledge back to the program at Ryerson is huge. I feel like I’m getting a PhD in coaching with the Olympic team,”

says Haley. “These players are the best in the world. They have to be. Unlike men’s hockey, where there are 30 NHL teams and 25 guys on a team, for women, there is just one team to play for and there are only 20 spots. To work with this level of athlete is special.”

This isn’t Haley’s first experience with the national team. She played in the Canada Winter Games in 1991 and in 2003 returned as an assistant coach first with the under-18 women and then with the under-22 group. As head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team in 2005-06, she helped secure a gold medal at the Air Canada Cup. She brought that winning mentality to St. Mary’s

University’s women’s hockey team, which she led to four conference championships.

She’s hoping to do the same with the Rams. “The next three or four years are going to be exciting for women’s hockey at Ryerson. I’m very impressed with the way the

varsity athletic programs are run and I’m excited to pull our own weight and get some banners to hang from Maple Leaf Gardens.”

As for the Olympics? “It’s Canada and it’s hockey and there is only one colour everyone wants to win.” n

‘I FEEL LIKE I’M GETTING A PHD IN COACHING WITH THE OLYMPIC TEAM’BY mAry teresA bitti, JoUrnAlism ’89ric

wiNter exhibitioNSAT THE

Phil Bergerson, Martinsville, Indiana, inkjet print, 2006.

Robert Burley, View of Buildings 7 and 11 from the Roof of Building 9, Kodak Canada, Toronto, pigment print, 2006.

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lisa haley, standing at left, is going for olympic gold with canada's national women's hockey team. Photo: kristen liPscombe, hockey cAnAdA imAGes

Reap the RewardsUse your alumni card to receive discounts from more than 50 vendors including Via Rail, Canada’s Wonderland and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Didn’t receive your card in the mail? Contact us at [email protected].

Learn more about the discount program and other benefits for Ryerson graduates at ryerson.ca/alumni.

ryerson.ca/alumni

Stay in touch. Get involved. Enjoy the privileges!

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How Ryerson social innovators

are sowing seeds of change in the

world with the help of an industrious

insect

By Andy Lee

Bee-ing the

change

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 13

Teriano Lesancha, Social Work ’12, is empowering girls and women in Kenya through her charitable foundation SupaMaasai, based in the Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University.

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14 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

“Pa m o j a !” cry 20,000 young students packed inside Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on an unseasonably humid school day in late September. The conductor of the rallying chorus – meaning “together” in Swahili – is a vibrant Maasai woman onstage sporting a Canadian-red blazer, skinny jeans and a brightly coloured beaded bracelet hand-crafted in her remote village of Loodariak in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. “Pamoja, we can change the world!” she calls out into her wireless microphone: a feverish, high-pitched chant crescendoes around her. It’s a worthy mantra for We Day, the massive youth activism event (organized by Free The Children and co-sponsored by Ryerson University) that has gathered them here.

“Education was never part of my future,” Teriano Lesancha, Social Work ’12, tells the wide-eyed youth corps. “I had to fight for it.” A crisply edited video shares her life story on multiple LED screens. Born “booked” for marriage at 14 to a man nearly thrice her age, Lesancha prevailed in not only convincing her father to forgo a handsome dowry of five cows to send her to high school, but also to sell his last calf so she could attend Ryerson. When Lesancha’s sponsor funding fell through, sociology pro-fessor Jean Golden rustled up scholarships and helped raise money for her annual international tuition. With the help of the Ryerson community, Lesancha became the first university graduate from Loodariak, a place without running water or, until just last year, electricity. To this day, Lesancha’s parents call Golden and President Sheldon Levy her second mother and father. “When you have people who believe in you, it changes everything,” she says.

Believing she “was born to do something great,” Lesancha returned to Loodariak, rebuilt her father’s herd and started a charitable foundation to empower girls and women through education and entre-preneurship. Accepted as a startup in the

Digital Media Zone (DMZ) at Ryerson, SupaMaasai (“supa” means “hello” in Maa, the Maasai language) has sent 50 teens to school and is building a women’s health centre, Internet café and beekeep-ing operation in Loodariak. “We cannot continue putting women down and ex-pect our country to move forward,” says Lesancha. Through a partnership with the Ryerson International Experiential Learning (RIEL) program, SupaMaasai (with design assistance from graduat-ing fashion students Eva Parrell and Kiersten Hay) is helping female artisans sell fair-trade, Maasai-inflected beaded clothing and accessories – like Lesancha’s bracelet – to western consumers, with all proceeds flowing into a local women’s community fund.

SupaMaasai is just one example of a larger movement at Ryerson – social innovation. The world is noticing. Two days prior to We Day, the university was named Canada’s first Changemaker Campus by Ashoka, a global network of social entrepreneurs, for its longstanding commitment to serving societal need. With the designation, Ryerson’s elite peers include Brown University, Cornell University, Boston College, Duke Univer-sity and Dublin City University, among others. The evidence is everywhere on campus, from the Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies (celebrating its 20th anniversary next year) to zone education and experiential learning via startup incubators like the DMZ, Student Design and Engineering Zone, Fashion Zone and Innovation Centre for Urban Energy (i-CUE). “You can’t learn surfing from a textbook,” says Wendy Cukier, vice-president, research and innovation, who spearheaded the Ryerson Changemaker steering com-mittee. “Diversity is the foundation of

Twenty thousand young activists rally together at the Air Canada Centre for We Day 2013, organized by Free The Children and co-sponsored by Ryerson.

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 15

ChRIs YouNg/CaNadIaN PREss

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innovation and you can achieve great things when you bring business, social work and communications students together with engineers and scientists to solve real-world problems.”

Recently, the Faculty of Community Services appointed social-change pioneers Ric Young and Marilyn Struthers as distin-guished visiting professor and the inaugural John C. Eaton Chair in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, respectively (the latter established in part by a $1-million gift from Eaton and his wife Sally Horsfall Eaton). Struthers defines social innova-tion as using new ideas to solve problems and achieve systemic change for public benefit, often through collaboration with diverse players. (While acknowledging its importance, some maintain a more holistic strategy is required to alleviate large-scale oppression. “Education, health, nutrition and agriculture have to be pursued through major infusions of public funding to allow whole populations to be restored to a decent life,” says Stephen Lewis, humanitarian and distinguished visiting professor.) As govern-ment budgets shrink, entrepreneurs are stepping up as social catalysts. At the same time, businesses operating in an increasingly global village are realizing the importance of contributing to society.

“We see in this generation of young people that are in university now a renewed social conscience,” says Dave Valliere, chair of entrepreneurship and strategy in the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM). “These students really want to make the world a better place and they’re looking for whatever tools work.” In today’s era of unprecedented technological change, those tools are shifting from acquired knowledge to the ability to innovate. “The promise of social innovation education is to equip students to not just adapt to change but actually drive and lead change,” says Michele Leaman, director of Ashoka Changemaker Campus. “And so Ryerson is really still very much on the cutting edge.”

Growing up, Tracy Leparulo, TRSM ’13, always planned to be an artist. She was locked on a trajectory for art school – until she “realized you can do anything with a business degree.” But when she began her business studies at Ryerson, a two-hour com-mute from Richmond Hill made her dread coming to campus. “Downtown Toronto can be really lonely if you don’t know a lot of people,” she says. By sophomore year, a disenchanted Leparulo found herself on academic probation.

Then she discovered Enactus (at the time known as SIFE), a student entrepreneurship group with chapters in 36 countries around the world. Chanelling her artistic skills, Leparulo joined Enactus as a graphic de-signer. She began making connections and emerged from her suburban shell. Suddenly, Leparulo was content to be on campus for 10 hours a day. In her third and busiest year, she became the chapter’s vice-president of marketing and paradoxically achieved her highest GPA. Leparulo became president the following year and founded Project Dago, Enactus’s first international outreach initiative.

In August 2011, Leparulo, Tyler Baird, TRSM ’13, and four other Enactus mem-bers travelled to Dago, one of the highest HIV/AIDS-affected regions in Kenya, to implement tried-and-true initiatives used in Canada. Over the course of three weeks, Enactus ushered in its customized $tart $mart financial literacy program, teaching women business skills such as budgeting, saving and goal setting. They also launched a credit union through their comprehen-sive StartMeUp entrepreneurial support program, providing $100 microloans to 30 female entrepreneurs. Similar to SupaMaa-sai’s beadwork project, interest from the loans pools into a community fund owned by the Dago Dela Hera Self Help Group, a women’s mentorship organization.

Meanwhile, Baird (whose family owns a bee farm in Fergus, Ont.) realized that beekeeping could enable Dago’s men to stay with their families instead of leaving the village to find work. For Enactus’s initial

HealthKomodo OpenLab, co-founded by Mauricio Meza, Management of Technology and Innovation MBA ’10, enhances accessibility for persons with disabilities using open-source technology. Its product Tecla allows users to manipulate mobile devices via wheelchair driving controls or adapted switches.The Centre for Health in At Risk Populations (CHIRP) supports at-risk individuals as they engage with health-care providers, transition from specialized services to community-based care and acquire skills for sustained recovery.

EducationThe EDGE (Experiential Design and Gaming Environments) Lab, led by early childhood studies professor Jason Nolan, is partnering with Toronto game studio Phantom Compass to use gaming as a learning tool for children. Sociology professor Jean Golden and students are collaborating with Every Child Counts, a school in Abaco, Bahamas, to educate children with learning, developmental and physical disabilities.

SustainabilityBased in the Digital Media Zone, Greengage helps companies manage, measure and achieve sustainability goals by educating, inspiring and engaging employees.Rye’s HomeGrown Community Garden, initiated by nutrition students, promotes urban agriculture, environmental sustainability and food security.

Capacity building and engagement

SoJo is an interactive online resource that enables individuals to turn their social justice ideas into reality.Madeleine Collective creates participatory and collaborative art events that facilitate positive interactions and community-building initiatives.

Human rights, diversity and inclusion

The Diversity Institute partners with organizations to develop customized strategies, programming and resources to promote interdisciplinary knowledge and practice about diversity with respect to gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and ability.Dare magazine, the brainchild of Diana Di Poce, Fashion ’13, is breaking ground as Canada’s first plus-size magazine for women.

Poverty alleviation and development

The inspiration for Enactus’s Project Dago, the Faculty of Arts’ Alternative Spring Break program sends students to developing countries to build schools, orphanages and to implement sustainable economic initiatives.Run by students for students, Suit Up for Success provides gently used professional attire for job interviews.

Violence prevention and peacebuilding

Lead2Peace, founded by Mohsin Khan, Mechanical Engineering ’13, educates and empowers Regent Park youth to make a difference in their community.Ryerson MBA Women in Leadership and YWCA Canada established the inaugural Brighter Futures fundraiser, with proceeds going to improve the lives of girls and women at critical points in their lives.

Ryerson’s social innovation initiatives address global themes consistent with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals:

Ryerson students bring the Tim Hortons Cup home after winning the Enactus National Championship in May 2013. The chapter went on to represent Canada at the World Cup in Mexico, placing in the top 24.

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18 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

visit, Baird brought four hives, bee suits and beekeeping equipment from Canada, and mentored 10 farmers through in-class and hands-on training. Under his guidance, the newly formed Dago Beekeepers Association populated the apiary, now home to 900,000 bees in 15 hives. According to Baird, one hive can yield 36 kilograms of honey per year, which can fetch upwards of $200, the average annual salary in rural Kenya. In addition to providing a sustainable source of revenue and food, bees also boost crop yields through pollination (approximately 3,500 hectares by Baird’s calculations).

Last summer, Baird returned to Dago with Enactus to harvest honey using an extractor donated by TRSM professor Rob Wilson. Using newfound skills of product differentiation and market segmentation, the Dago Beekeepers Association sold their honey in the form of branded jars, candies and sweetened mandazi, a doughnut-like treat popular in Kenya. Enactus then trekked 10 hours east to Loodariak, where they helped villagers establish a similar beekeeping operation. “There’s a lot of excitement about beekeeping,” says Lesancha.

For their efforts, Enactus Ryerson won the 2013 Enactus National Championship and represented Canada at the World Cup last fall in Cancun, Mexico. Competing against the best student teams from around the globe, the Ryerson chapter presented a tightly rehearsed 17-minute multimedia summary of its initiatives, and ranked in the top 24.

When Lesancha first arrived in Canada, she struggled with everything from English (her third language, after Maa and Swahili) to the subway system, the mortifying discovery of cell-phone roaming charges following a trip to Hamilton, Ont. and “the coldest winter ever!” She rarely spoke in class. When addressing professors, she avoided eye contact in the Maasai custom of showing respect to elders. The social work program’s anti-oppression focus, however, gave her a voice and taught her to use it.

Last fall, Lesancha spoke to thousands on a cross-Canada tour in support of Girl Rising, a documentary about girls around the world overcoming oppression through education. Watching the eerily resonant tale of Azmera, an Ethiopian girl who refused an arranged marriage to pursue higher learning, brought tears to her eyes. “I often think about my life and what would have happened if my parents had married me off, how many doors would have been closed,” says Lesancha. “Education changes people’s lives. For me, it’s changed my life, my family and not just my village but also my country and maybe other parts of the world.”

Propelled by a recent grant from World Vision, Lesancha has no plans to slow down. SupaMaasai will use the funds to construct a girls’ boarding school in Loodariak and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, female circumcision, women’s legal rights and forced marriage. Using a plot of land donated by her father, Lesancha also plans to build an “international community village” to house future volunteers.

Scattered across the African continent are what locals refer to as “white elephants,” abandoned infrastructure projects such as factories, water tanks and

Pay it forward with the Ryerson credit cardWhen you carry the Ryerson MBNA credit card, you get great card benefits AND support student awards and alumni programs – at no cost to you. It’s a classic win-win.

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Stay in touch. Get involved. Enjoy the privileges!

Enactus Ryerson’s Tracy Leparulo and Tyler Baird, both TRSM ’13,

usher in sustainable solutions for Kenyan

villagers through entrepreneurship,

education and beekeeping.

classrooms – the by-products of top-down foreign aid coupled with a lack of local support. It’s why both SupaMaasai and Enactus espouse a grassroots ethos. “We’re adamant that it’s not a handout,” says Baird, co-founder of Energy Savers, the first i-CUE startup. “We give people the basics, support them with small incentives and empower them to be sustainable on their own so they have the skills to continue after we leave.” SupaMaasai operations manager George Phu, TRSM ’11, agrees: “Our goal is to always keep it bottom-up and frontline.” The son of Vietnam War refugees, Phu says giving back and empowering

others is critical. “For us, success isn’t really there unless we’re changing someone’s life … This is only the beginning. We’re focused on making more Terianos.” Lesancha, whom Phu considers to be “the next Oprah,” hopes their impact will extend beyond the Maasai community and plans to spread the RIEL program to other universities.

Set to graduate from the fashion program this spring, Parrell is designing women’s daywear influenced by shukas and lesos (traditional Maasai wraps) for a thesis collection “deeply inspired” by her month-long trip to Kenya with RIEL. In April, when models

debut the outfits at Mass Exodus, the School of Fashion’s annual graduate showcase, they will wear accessories from the SupaMaasai-RIEL beadwork initiative. “It shows that fashion can be more than superficial – it can benefit other people,” says Parrell. “It was an incredible opportunity that I wish more students could experience.” Her wish is coming true. Through a forthcoming minor in social innovation from the Faculty of Community Services and a

Social Innovation Zone in the works by Young and Struthers, more Ryerson students than ever will be answering real-world challenges.

Lesancha’s dreams for the future include becoming a member of Kenyan parliament, building a hospital in Loodariak and establishing the first Maasai university. Marvelling at her improbable metamorphosis from potential child bride to village hero and social innovator, Lesancha says, “Don’t think that just because you’re one person you can’t do much, because you never know the impact you can make. Anything is possible. It all starts with one person.”

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 19

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W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 21

Social juStice work

tranSformS children’S liveS

in the dominican republic

By MaRk WITTEN

C an social workers, given the right training, make a real difference in

improving the lives of a nation’s most vulnerable children?

Social work professor Henry Parada and his partners in the Children and Youth Human Rights Empowerment Project are proving that they can. The team is demonstrating how social workers can act as agents of change to help empower, and protect the rights of, vulnerable children and youth in the Dominican Republic, where violence and abuse, including the trafficking of children and adolescents for labour and commercial sexual exploitation, are a huge problem.

The project is a five-year partnership with Dominican Republic educational institutions, government agencies and community-based organizations to improve the safety and quality

of life for children and youth on a sustainable, system-wide basis. The project has received $1.5 million in funding through the Canadian International Development Agency.

In a previous partnership project, called Child Protection and Interfamilial Safety, Parada and his team worked with the Dominican Republic’s Autonomous University of Santo Domingo to create the first school of social work in a country that had no formally trained social workers. “We saw a major gap between the new laws and policies protecting child and youth rights, and their actual implementation. It takes trained, professional social workers to implement practices to help those who need help the most,” says Parada, graduate program director of the School of Social Work in the Faculty of Community Services.

20 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

Henry Parada's research team, in partnership

with Dominican Republic organizations, embarks on an

ambitious project to change the system for the better. ▲

Na

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Funded by CIDA, the team is building on a previous

project that developed a bachelor of social

work degree program in Dominican Republic.

About 40 students have already graduated and another 258 are currently studying in the bachelor of social work degree program. These social workers are making a difference by applying their newly acquired knowledge and skills in government and social agencies to conduct informed assessments, investigations and provide support for young victims of exploitation and abuse. But much more needs to be done to protect children in a country where there are an estimated 132,000 to 175,000 cases of child abuse each year, 30,000 child prostitutes and 18 per cent of children aged five to 17 are engaged in child labour.

The latest project builds on that initial success with an ambitious, multi-pronged development, education and research initiative that will help administrative and front-line social workers implement the country’s child protection laws and policies in its most vulnerable communities. The project will build capacity within the national and local community organizations responsible for protecting children’s rights, so they can design and implement effective programs and services for children and youth at risk.

The work will include developing 15 new local community organizations for child protection, and specialized social work training in child and youth human rights for participating community members. “These local institutions are the eyes of the system in terms of child maltreatment. We’re providing key personnel with the basic training to detect and deal with what’s going on, and the specialized knowledge and skills to support children and youth who

have experienced abuse,” says Parada. The project will strengthen youth

participation by developing new youth municipal councils in 20 municipalities, and empower these young representatives through an educational program and leadership training to be their own children’s rights advocates. A foster families system will also be created, and training provided for new foster families.

A new graduate diploma in forensic investigations will equip key employees of the national child protection agency and Ministry of the Attorney General with the skills and tools to investigate then respond to maltreatment and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. A master of social work program, with specialization in child and youth rights, will prepare members of community-based organizations and NGOs to conduct vital research on these issues.

“We’ve been working with our local partners in the Dominican Republic for more than a decade to make changes that will improve the safety and quality of life for children and youth at risk, and be sustainable. This project aims to help about 55,000 children and youth in the most vulnerable communities, and 5,000 children living in the streets of 15 targeted communities,” says Parada.

He also hopes the lessons learned about strengthening the system to protect children’s rights and achieve social justice in the Dominican Republic can then be applied in other Central American countries facing similar problems. n

MaRk WITTEN Is a WRITER BasEd IN ToRoNTo.

“we’ve been working with our local partners in the dominican republic for more than a decade to make changes that will improve the safety and quality of life for children and youth at risk, and be sustainable.”

— socIal WoRk PRofEssoR HENRy PaRada

CRAFtIng ItIN a dIgITal WoRld, aluMNI fINd THEIR NIcHE MakINg THINgs By HaNd

By CHAntAl BRAgAnzA, JoURnAlIsm ’09

In a cultural landscape where digital innovation and online achievements seem

to be top priorities in business, it may be hard to imagine forging a successful career out of old-world craft skills. But every day, nearly 23,000 Canadians do it, generating a mini-economy of $727 million straight from the work

of their hands. From fibre craft and bookbinding to glassblowing and woodwork, it’s possible to work full-time practising a skill you love and also pass that knowledge onto others. Here we profile two Ryerson alumni who’ve made their living upholding time-honoured traditions in the art of craft.

old school

With her sewing studio and online magazine, Denise Wild brings modern-day relevance to what appears to be an old-fashioned craft. mA

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24 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014 W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 25

The first time Denise Wild used a sewing machine,

she was 13. It was the early ’90s, and she wanted a plaid shirt to go with her layered look, so she set to work making a button-down — a fairly complex project even for an experienced seamstress. Wild stuck with it, getting a tutor to help her through difficult stages like the collar and buttonholes. It took a while, but the perfectly fitted product sparked a love of the sartorial arts that she’d eventually turn into a career.

Today, Wild helps pros and rookies alike stitch their own shirts, skirts and coats through classes at The Sewing Studio, her midtown-Manhattan workshop, and Love Sewing, a digital

magazine. Her approach is two-fold: to provide newcomers with skills that have practical value and build confidence, and to bring modern-day relevance to a craft that for years has been seen as the hobby of an older generation.

“Many people who sew today don’t do it out of necessity or financial requirement,” says Wild, who opened Toronto locations in 2004 and 2007 before switching her focus to New York. “They want to customize. Sometimes it’s function, sometimes it’s style.” The Sewing Studio’s appeal isn’t so much from learning how to make tea towels or your kid’s Halloween costume (though those are certainly handy

applications), but in being able to make your dream outfit, be it bright silk blouse or a cotton sundress. More importantly, says Wild, people also want an escape. After hours in a cubicle, a pastime involving handiwork can be incredibly relaxing.

Wild graduated from Ryerson’s Image Arts program in 2000, seeing photography as another creative way to work in the fashion industry. “I didn’t know that you could take sewing in university,” she says. “Otherwise I totally would have done that!” She worked as an editor at magazines such as Flare and Canadian House and Home, all the while teaching sewing classes out of a one-bedroom apartment in

Toronto’s Yorkville. By early 2010, she launched Love Sewing, which offers readers patterns, style ideas, and how-to pieces on everything from garment care to the world’s best stores for luxury fabrics and notions. “I knew I always wanted to merge sewing and magazines somehow,” says Wild. The combo is a perfect fit: the digital daily proved so successful, German pattern giant BurdaStyle hired Wild to launch a U.S. edition of its popular magazine last fall. n

CHantal BRaganza is a toRonto-Based wRiteR.

A t first glance, the output of Michael Torosian’s

Lumiere Press might seem a little low. The photography book publishing company releases about one title a year, and most print runs max out at 250 copies. In reality, the work behind that small batch of books is an enormous undertaking. As one of few bookmakers who still print books by letterpress, Torosian oversees nearly every aspect of what brings words and images to a page: every tome published out of his west-end Toronto home studio is put together by hand.

For more than 25 years, Torosian has immersed himself in a craft that most publishers aban-doned decades ago. He researches and writes each book, casts each

page in hot lead type, cuts the pages, sews them together and tucks them into covers lined in per-sonally selected paper and fabrics.

Few of the tools he uses were made in this century. His Intertype typesetter, a hulking mini-factory that makes printing plates from hot lead, is from 1950s New York. His sewing machine, an intimidat-ing contraption of green-painted iron, comes from 1920s Germany.

“By the time I got into publishing, letterpress was no longer commercially viable,” says Torosian. “It was a remnant of the past.” He was first enraptured by letterpress as a photographer in the mid-70s looking to have more creative control over the books of his work. Rather than send his

photographs to a publisher, he learned how to make books himself; through night classes and what he calls “a 10-year PhD self-education,” he started printing books in 1986.

At a time when newspapers are running thinner editions, in-dependent bookstores are closing and more and more people are reading books on digital devices, Lumiere Press is flourishing: it produces some of the most sought-after photography titles in the art world today. Torosian’s books have been picked up by such institutions as the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gal-lery of Canada and the New York Public Library. Art and book col-lectors line up to order copies. His most recent title, Black Star, was

released last May in partnership with the Ryerson Image Centre as a celebration of the historic photo agency and its resident collection at the university.

Torosian believes much of this success comes from the simple luxury (and rarity) of a meticu-lously well-made product. There is too, the fact that photography is the perfect niche for an already niche-based publisher. “The book is the medium of photography,” he says. “When you go to see a painting in the Louvre, you expect to see an 18-foot-high canvas. Photography exists in a different realm. It’s possible to make a book where the reproductions are very credible facsimiles of the original object in scale, surface, texture. You can’t do that with a painting.”

Denise Wild IMagE aRTs ’00Michael Torosian PHoTogRaPHIc aRTs ’73

In the letterpress studio: From left, a ladle used for stirring lead in the crucible and skimming off impurities; michael torosian; lumiere Press’s publication Steichen: Eduard et Voulangis: The Early Modernist Period 1915 – 1923 and a row of brass matrixes on the Intertype machine. PH

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Hannah Simone, RTA School of Media ’04, can’t

recall a year – from the age of eight onward – when she wasn’t performing: “I knew I would always act, but I didn’t know someone would pay me to do it.”

No worries: the Ryerson alumna, 33, is now a Twitter-trending talent. On Fox TV’s popular sitcom New Girl, she plays Cece, a fashion model who is star Zooey Deschanel’s best bud.

Last season, Simone won the Teen Choice Award for TV Breakout Actress. “It means people are watching and like what we’re doing,” she says.

Now in its third season, New Girl resonates because it portrays a “special point in your life when you’re not living at home anymore, you’re out in the world on your own, and your friends make up your dysfunctional family,” says Simone.

Lately, Simone has branched out into movies. She appears in director Spike Lee’s drama Oldboy, out last November, and Flock of Dudes, a comedy coming out this year.

Born in London, U.K., to

Indian and Greek-Cypriot parents, Simone spent her early childhood in Calgary, then attended schools in Cyprus and India before returning to Canada for university.

The RTA program “was truly a hands-on experience,” she says. When MuchMusic did a casting call at Ryerson, Simone auditioned and was eventually hired as a VJ. She hosted The NewMusic, interviewing bands.

“I wasn’t just someone in front of the camera,” says Simone. “I understood lighting, sound, how to frame a shot, what would work for the edit. When you study at RTA, you have to learn all aspects of bringing something to the screen.”

After three years at MuchMusic, Simone headed for Hollywood and landed a job hosting a show on the SyFy channel. “The network of people I met opened up bigger opportunities,” she says. “Los Angeles has been really good to me.” n

Sheldon Gordon iS a writer baSed in toronto.

Who’s that girl?

By Sheldon Gordon

Adrian Tang, Electrical and Computer Engineering

(MASc) ’08, is making a career out of packing lightly.

A researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Cali-fornia, Tang’s goal is to reduce the size, weight and power con-sumption of spacecraft systems. There’s a lot at stake. In an era of fiscal restraint, when the sci-entific value of space missions is weighed against their enormous cost, it’s critical to think small.

At the Jet Propulsion Lab-oratory, the leading NASA

centre in the United States for robotic exploration of Earth, the solar system and space, Tang is researching how to replace existing components in spacecraft electronics with such alternatives as lightweight silicon chips. This low-cost tech-nology uses less power than its conventional counterparts and is readily available in the com-mercial market. In fact, if Tang has his way, the same technol-ogy found in today’s cars and smartphones will be used in future space missions to Mars

and Jupiter, improving instru-ments and communication.

Currently, Tang is developing substitute technologies to en-sure they can withstand launch and the unforgiving environ-ment of space. Temperatures, for example, can fluctuate by more than 300 C in an hour and Jupiter is known for its harsh radiation environment. In light of these conditions, it’s important to know when and why alternative technologies are likely to fail, so engineers can design innovative solutions

and help get more scientific bang for taxpayers’ buck.

“A lot of science objectives are dropped from NASA mis-sions for the sake of weight because electronics are too big and heavy,” says Tang, who holds a PhD from the Univer-sity of California, Los Angeles. “If we can increase the number of instruments on a spacecraft from two to 20, we’ll get more data back.” n

dana YateS iS a writer baSed in toronto.

To lightly go…at naSa'S Jet ProPulSion laboratorY, reSearcher adrian tanG

develoPS electronicS for robotic exPloration of SPace

26 ryerson university Magazine • W i n t e r 2014

Step

ha

nie

SM

ith

By dana yateS

Adrian Tang at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

Developing technologies that can withstand the unforgiving

environment of space.

RTA alumna Hannah Simone’s career takes off in

Los Angeles.

new Girl’S hannah Simone PerformS

on ScreenS biG and Small

pho

to c

ou

rteS

y o

f fo

x

W i n t e r 2014 • ryerson university Magazine 27

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On April 18, 2013, I sat behind the drums on the stage of Toronto’s

El Mocambo. With me were my band mates in A Pint of Old Harper – Don, Gerry, Javier and Theresa.

The stage of the “El Mo” is hallowed ground for rock ‘n’ roll in this country. The Roll-ing Stones did a famous gig there in 1977. So have Elvis Costello, Stevie Ray Vaughan and countless other bands.

Unlike the Stones, we paid to be there, but we worked our butts off to get up on that stage. We were members of a program called League of Rock that gives adults who can play rock a chance to live their dreams and play in a band. The league provides rehearsal space, coaching by working rockers, a recording session and three live gigs over 10 weeks.

The pros make it look like a spontaneous exercise in attitude, a few chords and a basic beat. In fact, rock is carefully strategized and rehearsed to the nth degree.

And every rock song you’ve ever heard is as complex as a Beethoven symphony.

Nailing these songs is tough. Our band spent weeks figuring out how to all end on the same beat in Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire” and just how many rep-etitions of “Whoa-oh” we’d do on Roxy Music’s “Love is the Drug.” And remember – in rock, there is no conductor or sheet music. You’ve got to memorize everything.

For me, getting to the El Mo was a long journey, as it was for most of my colleagues. I was in a band in high school but quit when I was 18 and applied for Ryerson’s journalism pro-gram. I loved playing in the band, but was nowhere near good enough to go pro.

With Ryerson’s help, I built a marvellous career over the past 33 years. Still, the musician in me wouldn’t keep quiet.

When I got behind the drums at our first rehearsal, I hit a wall. I had forgotten the little things the audience never sees: how the drum-

mer must count in the band to start the song (there’s a tricky math to it), how to read each other while playing (the drummer and the bassist, for example, have to be locked-in or the whole thing is thrown off) and, hardest of all, how to accept that your playing is not working – and then re-hearsing until it’s right.

I almost quit. Then I was reading about

a few of my idols – Spring-steen, Keith Richards and Led Zeppelin – and it was clear that they would spend months trying to nail a song. So I got to work.

That night at the El Mo, we took a bow after our final number – Serena Ryder’s “Stompa” – and I had three insights.

First, rock deserves re-spect. It’s much smarter than you might think.

Second, you really can dig back into the “what ifs” of your past and bring them to fruition.

And most importantly: you’re never too old to rock. n

in My oPinion

Never too old to rockGiven a Second chance to Be a Star, paul frauMeni diScoverS playinG in a Band iS harder than it lookS

By Paul fraumeni, JournaliSm ’83

28 ryerson university Magazine • W i n t e r 2014

Jam

eS K

ac

ha

n, i

ma

Ge

art

S ’0

7

Helen Papagiannis is harnessing technology to

improve people’s lives.

The surreal worlds and sensational adventures featured in Lewis

Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass have sparked the imagination of augmented reality (AR) expert Helen Papagiannis, Communication and Culture (MA) ’07.

“For me, the books are about creativ-ity, imagination, entering fantastical realms, dreaming the impossible. All of those things are what augmented reality is as well,” says Papagiannis.

Papagiannis is chief innovation officer for New York, N.Y.-based Infinity Augmented Reality Inc., which has developed the first AR software platform to connect universally with digital eyewear – think Google Glass – that syncs with smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and connected cars. The software instantly overlays web-generated virtual data, images and video on top of what the wearer sees, enhancing everyday life. Users can access weather updates, get directions to destinations, take photos, view and post to social media, even determine someone’s mood by using a voice analyzer.

The 35-year-old Toronto native has been enchanted by AR’s magic since first discovering it during a demo in which a virtual blue cube suddenly appeared before her; the fascinating visual illusion got her excited about the technology’s potential. The experience shaped her professional and academic career: she has taught new media at Ryerson and the University of Toronto; done research at York University’s AR

By Sharon aSchaiek

Sharon aSchaiek WriteS aBout hiGher education iSSueS, trendS and GraduateS.

From gimmick to game-changerAlumnA’s Adventures in Augmented-reAlity lAnd

W i n t e r 2014 • ryerson university Magazine 29

Lab; presented her interactive work at TEDx and other global conferences; and is currently completing her PhD in communication and culture at York.

In her current role, she’s trying to transform the public’s perception of AR from gimmicky to game-changing by emphasizing an additional meaning for the acronym: Amazing Relevance.

“It’s about looking at the human needs in regards to this emerging technology,” says Papagiannis, who was named among the Next 100 Top Influencers of the Digital Media Industry in 2013. “How can we harness the technology in a meaningful way to build something that will make peoples’ lives better?” n

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GivinG BackAlumni And friends Give Generously to ryerson’s mAKe your mArK cAmpAiGn

30 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014 W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 31

Bev (McCay) Dales has made a name for herself by being a tireless businesswoman and volunteer. The Business Administration, Merchandising graduate has even sat on Ryerson’s Board of Governors for two terms.

That’s where she saw fi rst-hand that Ryerson’s Ted Rogers School of Management could use her support in the future because it’s such a large faculty. She decided to, as she

says, “put my money where my mouth is” and include the faculty in her will, leaving a percentage of her estate. Bev hopes the money helps the faculty grow and ensures that generations to come – including her own grandchildren – have a healthy and vibrant Ryerson to attend.

Bev Dales is leaving a legacy – and her mark – through her planned gift. You can too.

Bev Dales is making her mark with a gift in her will to Ryerson

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

Janet Nankivell 416-979-5000, ext. 2152 | [email protected] Planned Giving | Ryerson University | www.ryerson.ca Everyone Makes a Mark

LEAVING a LEGACY

Harry Pellow, Architectural Science ’62, rallied colleagues to help support a new gallery for the Department of architectural Science.

alUm tapS netwoRk in SUppoRt of aRchitectURal Science

A good name and a good cause will take you far. Harry Pellow, Architectural

Science ’62, principal of Pellow and Associates Architects Inc., realized that when he called on many of his colleagues and associates to support the new Paul H. Cocker Architectural Gallery at Ryerson and create an endowment for several student awards. Pellow came up with the idea to ask a group of industry partners for contributions in the name of Stewart Crawford, Architectural Science ’66, a Ryerson graduate who has had a long, successful career.

“We batted 1,000 all the way and hit our target very quickly,” says Pellow, whose firm also contributed, as did his class of ’62. What sealed the deal was the industry’s respect for Crawford, who was vice-president of design and construction for Ivanhoé Cambridge Inc. before he retired. “Stewart always demonstrated a unique ability to marry design and construction and get things done,” says Pellow. “He was a great client and he could do it all.”

The campaign built on Cocker’s naming donation for the gallery (which opened last fall) and also created three new student awards.

“Ryerson helped me enormously in moving forward in my career,” says Pellow. He continues the association, with alumni comprising almost one-third of his firm’s professionals. “They are major contributors in every way.”

Ken Chadha, Industrial Engineering ’09, knows

his support makes a difference for industrial

engineering students.

Ken Chadha, Industrial Engineering ’09, accepted a

position at Toronto Hydro immediately after graduating. He had been working with the company on his final-year thesis project looking at smart-grid deployment strategies, so the transition from student to employee was almost seamless.

Also uninterrupted is Chadha’s connection to Ryerson. He remembers with genuine affection his time at the university, where he met some of his best friends. And every year since graduation, Chadha has been generously giving back to Ryerson through regular contributions to the

Annual Fund. “You’ve got to remember where you started while you’re moving forward. I know that donations from other alumni helped to fund various labs and provide equipment that was essential to my education and training.”

And his support is making a difference for current students. “It’s the most practical way for me to directly support industrial engineering students. It ensures that there will still be a strong program, putting out solid graduates. I want to be able to make a positive impact that a lot of people can directly benefit from, and contributing to the Annual Fund is the best way to do that.”

‘YoU’ve got to RememBeR wheRe YoU StaRteD’

e lvino Sauro, RTA ’55, first came to Ryerson as a high-school musician to

play trumpet on the student-run CJRT radio station. Then he worked at the station as a student when it was on the air weekday evenings during the school year. “Many times I got home well after midnight because I lived in Wil-lowdale,” he recalls. Sauro was rewarded for his dedication when he became the station’s first student manager. Another

cherished Ryerson memory was taking part in RIOT, the annual variety show. “I played trumpet in the 1953 and 1955 shows and was music director in 1954.”

Sauro returned to Ryerson in the mid-60s as an instructor. He began funding the Elvino Sauro Film Award through the employee payroll deduction plan more than 25 years ago. Each year, the award helps a fourth-year film student meet the costs of capturing and/or

finishing a production shot on film. “I started funding a scholarship for the simple reason that when I was a student at Ryerson between 1952 and 1955, I won cash scholarship awards which helped to pay my tuition,” he says. “I funded a film award because I know that it costs a lot of money to make a film.” More than 50 years after his first visit to Ryerson, Elvino still contributes to the cultural life of the university.

fRom high School to RetiRement, tRUmpet plaYeR connectS to UniveRSitY

ClIf

ToN

lI

Yvo

NN

E Ba

MBR

ICk t his year’s Rams-in-Training program

will give young people who haven’t played hockey the opportunity of training on the ice at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens. The 10-week program starting in February, funded by the J.P. Bickell Foundation, with other contributors such as the Canadian Tire Jump Start program, Hockey Helps the Homeless, the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) and Ryerson Athletics, will bring 50 neighbourhood youth from grades seven to 10 to learn hockey skills from Ryerson Rams. Health education such as nutrition

and cooking classes will also be part of the program. Throughout the experience, Rams will serve as role models to show that post-secondary education is within grasp for youth who may be disadvantaged or at-risk. Some have never skated before, but are able to participate thanks to NHLPA’s donation of gear. “We want to teach young people essential skills to help maximize their potential to succeed in sports, in life, in education,” says Ivan Joseph, athletics director. “We hope to offer experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have, especially in such an iconic building as the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens.”

commUnitY oUtReach BRingS YoUth, RYeRSon RamS togetheR at the mac

Ryerson Rams team captain nella Brodett will teach hockey skills to neighbourhood

youth in Rams-in-training.

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Alumni Diarynews And events from Alumni AssociAtions, chApters And BrAnches

vP viewpoint

By AdAm B. KAhAn

vice-president,

university AdvAncement

10 waYS to Show YoUR BlUe anD golD pRiDeEngaged alumni are Ryerson’s greatest ambassadors. Wherever you go, you carry our banner high as you make your mark in the world and write the newest chapters of the Ryerson story. Here are 10 easy ways that you can get involved with your alma mater:

alumni are a vital part of the Ryerson community. for more on how to get engaged with your university, visit ryerson.ca/alumni. We look forward to seeing you again soon. n

32 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

the Ryerson School of Journalism celebrates 60 years of excellence in journalism education at Journalism on the Rocks where 12 of the school’s notable alumni were named headliners: from left, Gagandeep Ghuman, ’08; Ernest Tucker, ’54; Michelle Shephard,’96; Kenny Yum, ’98; lla Starkman-hynes representing Randy Starkman; Maggie Siggins, ’65; Journalism chair ivor Shapiro; andrew hild, representing Don Obe, ’59; Robyn Doolittle, ’06; Kevin Tibbles, ’79; Zarqa Nawaz, ’92; and Jim Sheppard, ’71. not present: Shelley Ambrose, ’87.

associations

RYERsoN UNIvERsITY BUsINEss

alUMNI assoCIaTIoN (RUBaa) Successful socialOn Sept. 13, RUBAA and the Ryerson Human Resources Alumni Association (RHRAA) co-hosted a successful social with tasty food, prizes and great conversation, attended by more than 80 alumni at The 3 Brewers in Toronto. A special thank you goes to CMA Ontario and the TRSM Careers and Employer Partnership Centre for sponsoring the event. For pictures and more information about our group’s activities, visit www.rubaa.ca.

RYERsoN HUMaN REsoURCEs alUMNI

assoCIaTIoN (RHRaa)Social, athletic and educational eventsRHRAA is hard at work planning a great lineup of events that will en-tertain members and enrich your career, whether it is networking with fellow alumni or attending information sessions and semin-ars. Upcoming events include a Mattamy Athletic Centre skate co-hosted with RUBAA, a human resources analytics information session and the human resources showcase. We are proud to an-nounce that we will be creating a human resources student award. We will be accepting donations for the award at our events; those who donate $10 or more will get one of

our RHRAA “I love HR” T-shirts. For more information about initiatives and upcoming events, visit www.rhraa.ca.

RYERsoN NURsINg alUMNI assoCIaTIoN (RNaa) Reconnect with your alma mater“You make a living by what you earn; you make a life by what you give.” — Winston Churchill

We make a living through our professional nursing careers; we give through committing our-selves to the people in our lives. What better way to give back to your alma mater than to join the RNAA? Join us today to reconnect and network with other alumni and faculty, to foster and support

the future of nursing, to discover ways to support the Ryerson nurs-ing community. Connect with us on Facebook (Ryerson Nurs-ing Alumni Association – RNAA), LinkedIn (Ryerson Nursing) and Twitter (@RyeNursingAlum) for updates on social events, fun fundraising activities, limited edi-tion RNAA memorabilia and for all networking opportunities.

The RNAA sends you warmest wishes in your nursing endeavors and looks forward to meeting you soon! For any inquiries or just to say hello, email us at [email protected].

Vikky Leung, Nursing ’13President, Ryerson Nursing Alumni Association

the explorer club provided an elegant background for a lovely evening with alumni living in new York city. Back row from left: sisters Madeleine Ehlert-Williams and Jackie Ehlert, both Nutrition ’87, and Sarah Gladney, RTA ’11. Seated, from left: peter mercer and Bradford williams.

for more information about alumni groups and activities, visit ryerson.ca/alumni.

the Rta School of media held their second annual wall of fame at alumni weekend. from left: charles falzon, chair, Rta School of media; Tracey Forbes ’92; Rick Brace ’75; Marci Ien ’91; Dwight Drummond ’91 and Dorothy Kidd ’79.

2013 wall of fame On Oct. 5, 2013, as part of Alumni Weekend, RTAAA members gathered to celebrate the outstanding contributions of the 2013 Wall of Fame inductees:

Dwight Drummond, RTA ’91, is a co-host of CBC News and an award-winning anchor, reporter, crime specialist and motivational speaker.

Rick Brace, RTA ’75, is the president of CTV Specialty Channels and Production at Bell Media, and leads all aspects of CTV’s revenue streams.

Tracey Forbes, RTA ’92, is a cele-brated television writer and producer, whose credits include popular shows Flashpoint, Re-Genesis and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Marci Ien, RTA ’91, is the co-host of Canada AM and an award-winning Canadian broadcast journalist.

Dorothy Kidd, ’79, is a professor of media studies at the University of San Francisco, and a tireless advocate for public access and media training.

For more information, visit www.ryersonrta.ca/alumni or follow @RTAAlumni. ▲

Business and human resources alumni met at the 3 Brewers pub in toronto for a fall social.

1 Stay connected. Read Ryerson University

Magazine and the @lumni e-newsletter, and follow us on facebook and Twitter to stay abreast of developments at the university. keep your contact information current and send Class Notes updates to [email protected].

2 Share our story. Tell others how much your

Ryerson education means to you, and help spread the latest exciting news.

3get involved. Join or start an alumni group

for your academic program, varsity team, fraternity, residence or city.

4 plan a reunion. Contact alumni Relations at

[email protected] to organize a class, team or group reunion.

5Run for Board or Senate. Represent your fellow

alumni as an elected rep-resentative on the Ryerson Board of governors or senate.

6celebrate our success. Nominate an outstanding

peer for an alumni achieve-ment award.

7make a donation. Contribute to the univer-

sity’s future through an annual gift, major gift or planned giving by visiting ryerson.ca/supporting.

8mentor a student. Help the next generation of

Ryerson students succeed by taking part in the Tri-Men-toring Program (ryerson.ca/trimentoring).

9 keep learning. Enrol in the Yeates school

of graduate studies or take a class through The g. Raymond Chang school of Continuing Education.

10come home. Be sure to attend alumni Week-

end and the Ryerson Dinner, and join us on campus for events such as guest lectures, film screenings and free com-munity skates at the Mattamy athletic Centre at the gardens.

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 33

alumni living in Jamaica celebrate their Ryerson connection on oct. 5 at the annual

public lecture. from left: Naomi Cowan, Radio and Television Arts (RTA) ’10; Milton Hodelin,

Civil Engineering ’78; Denise Erskine Jones, Social Work ’78; Prof. Geraldine Hodelin;

Derven Patrick, Environmental Health ‘89; Ed Wallace, RTA ’69; Ainsley Mills, Industrial

Engineering ’96; front row: Nigel Cooper, Hospitality and Tourism Management ’91

and Edson Carr, Environmental Health ’90.

alumni in l.a. mingle with students at a reception in support of the Rta in l.a. program. from left: charles falzon, chair, Rta School of media, Alan Hamel, RTA ‘54, and wife Suzanne Somers.

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Alumni weekenD

Blue and gold dominated the downtown

core on oct. 5 as a record number of grads came

home for alumni Weekend. alumni were treated to a

free barbecue, campus tours, educational sessions

that included a wine tasting in the “Spanish Café” (complete with a flamenco dancer!) and an alumni skate at the

Mattamy athletic Centre at the gardens. once again, the Ryerson dinner was sold out with more than 500 proud Ryersonians celebrating at the Hyatt

Regency Toronto.For more alumni Week-end photos, please visit

www.facebook.com/ rualumni.

2013

alumni

fcaD at the dinner, back row from left: Elvino Sauro, RTA ’55, and wife linda Sauro; gerd hauck, dean, faculty of communication & Design and catrin Brunke. Seated from left: Ken Freek, Graphic Communications Management ’80; Shirley freek; Nick Stiliadis, Photographic Arts ’78 and Yen chu.

above, Nursing ’78 alumnae, from left: Joan McKechnie, Teresa Robson, Elda Baird and Maria Cirocco, Nursing ’88.

Christine Akrey, RTA ’78, and Ian Kilvert, RTA ’77, catch up at the barbecue.

past and present residents of o’keefe house face off during their annual football game in the quad.

president levy and Marjorie David, Electrical Technology ’63.

alumna Tara Montague-Restagno, Theatre ’89, son Jackson and husband Sergio skate on mattamy home ice.

weekendTRSM ’12 alumnae Kathryn G. Jocson, left, and Rita Lam, get a taste of fame on the cover of Ryerson University magazine.

Rob Thompson and Rod Montgomery proudly show off the Civil Technology ’63 class photo.

Office and Administrative Studies ’88 alumnae reunite at their anniversary reception and receive their 25-year pins. from left: Christine Desjardin Bonsall, MaryAnn Curtis, Janice Frid Mason, Marisa Crespi Rank and Christine Koopman DeAlmeida.

alumnus John Saunders is inducted into the Ryerson University athletics and Recreation hall of fame. from left: president Sheldon levy, Saunders, and ivan Joseph, director of athletics.

Business Management alumnae Lilach Shalev ’11, Gina Lewis ’10 and Ella Levin ’11 enjoy skating with eggy.

the School of Journalism kicks off its 60th anniversary celebration with a packed house for its headliners event honouring outstanding alumni.

Ryerson University alumni association president Ian Horne, Photographic Arts ’77, left, and vice-president Tony Biglieri, Urban and Regional Planning ’83, skate in sync.

Wendy Mesley, Journalism ’90, reflects on the state of the media industry in her keynote speech at the Ryerson Dinner.

guests at the students-and-recent-alumni table: Back row from left: Ryerson University alumni association director Andrea Belvedere, Business Management ’10, Rohan Sharma, Business Management ’11, Carli Yim, RTA ’13. Seated from left: khatera noor; anahit Dervishyan; alumni Relations officer Sid Naidu, Arts and Contemporary Studies ’10; kanda farkollie and Zayan Rafeek.

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36 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

Delight your palate with these new Ryerson wines produced in the heart of Ontario’s wine country. Try out this balanced Pinot Grigio and food-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon – and support alumni programming as well.

Order today by calling 416-915-9463 or 1-866-415-9463.

GeT a TaSTe Of yOuR new RyeRson wines

ryerson.ca/alumni

Stay in touch. Get involved. Enjoy the privileges!

Alumni DiaRY

men’s hockey alumniRyerson’s hockey program has always been defined by the quality of its players. Coach Graham Wise came to Ryerson in 2006 with a mandate to create a program that would produce a national contender every year. The team has made the playoffs for the last three years and Wise was awarded OUA Coach of the Year for 2009-10.

To support the mandate of excel-lence for the Ryerson Rams through scholarships, high-level exhibition games and equipment, Graham and colleagues launched a $100,000 fund-raising campaign to engage all alumni.

At the 2013 alumni golf tournament, Don DesJardine, TRSM ’63, a mem-ber of the ’62-’63 Hall of Fame team, initiated a “20-Dollars-a-Year Club.” “Each of us should be able to afford this much,” said DesJardine. “For those of us who left in the 60s, it’s only $1,000 and for those who have left Ryerson recently, it is easy for them to give what they can. We need all alumni to help.”

For more information on supporting men’s hockey at Ryerson contact: Brian Shantz, athletics co-ordinator, at [email protected] or 416-979-5000, ext. 6322. n

Heather Blue, Hospitality and Tour-ism Management ’88, and fellow

alumnus show off the door prize at the kingston, ont. reception.

alumni mixer on the Rock! Stephen Jewczyk, Urban and Regional Planning ’76, and his wife Charlotte, Early Childhood Education ’72, were among dozens of grads who came out for our reception in St. John’s, newfoundland.

UPCoMINg EVENTS

For details about these events and what else we have planned, contact Alumni Relations at 416-979-5018, visit www.ryerson.ca/alumni or email [email protected].

feBruAry 13: alumni achievement awards, toronto

oct. 18, 2014 SAve the dAte! alumni weekend featuring the Ryerson Dinnersave the date and start planning your class reunion! We’ll help – email adrianne at [email protected].

oTHER EvENTs

JaNUaRY: Richmond hill, ont. fEBRUaRY: hamilton, ont. MaRCH: oakville, ont. winnipeg, man. aPRIl: north York, ont. trinidad MaY: montreal, Que. toronto JUNE: london, england

we’re coming to a neigh-borhood near you in 2014! if you’re in any of these cities, we’d love to see you. make sure your email and mailing infor-mation is up to date so we can send you an invitation to a reception near you!

60s [1] Jeremy Ferguson, Journalism ’65, writes: “I’m celebrating my 40th year as a freelance travel writer and photographer. I’ve recently self-published, via Blurb, a book of photography titled Smell-ing the Flowers from Horseback: China. Up-coming journeys include an extended spell in the French countryside and a riverboat — a dream trip for years — on India’s Ganges.”

[2] Mikk Sepp, Architectural Science ’65, writes that after completing two ma-jor projects as chief architect – an army hospital at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska, and an addition and renovation to the South Centre Mall south of Seattle – he changed professions at 65 and became a writer. He writes: “I’ve now published three novels, under the name of Deke Rivers: The Singer and his Songs, The Invisible Invasion and The Taipan, and have another eight novels in their final stages, almost ready for publication.” Visit dekerivers.com.

Claire (Németh) Hutchinson, Secretarial and Administrative Science ’66, Informa-tion Management Studies ’73, would like to hear from classmates or friends who were attending Ryerson during 1963-66 and 1972-73 in the Secretarial and Administrative Science or Administration and Information Management Stud-ies programs. “The 40th anniversary is coming up. It would be interesting to see some of you there,” she writes. “I am retired from teaching, but involved in our company. I also tutor with a literacy program in Alliston. Let me hear from you.” She can be reached at [email protected].

70s [3] Ted Barris, Radio and Television Arts (RTA) ’76, is an accomplished journalist, author and broadcaster. For 40 years, his writing has regularly appeared in the national press and magazines as diverse as Legion, Air Force, Esprit de Corps, Quill and Quire, and Zoomer. A full-time professor of journalism at Toronto’s Centennial College, he has twice been shortlisted for the Wicken Teaching Excellence Award. The author

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 37

Four alumnae from the Journalism class of ’61 reunited in Tucson, Ariz., in April 2013.Standing, from left: Anne Moon, of Victoria; Joan Carter, from Fredericton; Linde-Howe Beck, of Montreal; Seated: Adeleine Morris, from Victoria.

The 1984 Press Barons intramural hockey team photo also features the ‘84 grads. Back row, from left: Tim Brosnahan, Darren McGee, Bruce Parkinson, John Fitzgerald, David Menzies and Tom Stever. Front row, from left: Dave Selby, John Wawrow, Mike Puffer, Art Stirling and Ralph Eastman.

A group of Journalism ’84 grads have gathered almost annually even though they have scat-tered across the province and beyond (including Buffalo, N.Y.), writes Mike Puffer. “In November 2012, we had a tour of the new Mattamy Athlet-ic Centre, and as always, had our photo taken in the old quad in front of the original facade.”

Back row, from left: Puffer, John Wawrow and Tom Stever. Front row from left: David Menzies, Dave Selby and Art Stirling.

Eurohaus, a competitive volleyball club comprised of mostly current and former Ryerson men’s volleyball players, surprised many tournament participants and spectators by nabbing the bronze medal at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships in Louisville, Ky. last May. The Eurohaus roster includes Ryersonians Roman Kabanov, Oleh Kovalchuk, Roger Marszalek, Chris McLaughlin, Aleksa Miladinovic, Luka Milosevic, Lukas Porosa, Stefan Ristic, George Sakvaralidze and Matt Steinfurth.

An archival photo of a contingent of Ontarian soldiers who were held at Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp. Photo courtesy Ted Barris, RTA ’76, who has published a book titled The Great Escape: A Canadian Story.

3

2

Mikk Sepp, Architectural Science ’65, has published three books under the pen name Deke Rivers.

Jeremy Ferguson,

Journalism ’65, and feline friend.

1

class NotesUpdates from alUmni on personal and professional milestones

compiled by ChRISTINE JULIEN-SULLIVAN, JOURNALISM ’97

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[4] Last April, a group of Archi-tectural Science ’84 alumni (and one RTA ’84 alumnus) played their 30th anniversary hockey game at Ryerson’s new sports facil-ity, the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The game continued a tradition that began in 1983 when they started renting ice at Forest Hill Arena on Thursday mornings in between classes, assignments and all-nighters.

90s [5] There was an electric atmosphere on Satur-day, June 15, 2013 as the RTA class of ’93 gathered to celebrate their 20-year milestone. Many alumni in attendance were from

the Toronto area, but some trav-elled from British Columbia, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and as far away as Serbia and Aus-tralia. The reunion included a tour of the Rogers Communica-tions Centre and a gathering at the Rivoli. As the reunion came to an end, the group decided to cre-ate an “RTA ’93” Facebook group. Everyone is looking for-ward to the 25th RTA ’93 reunion in 2018, writes Karen Corbin.

00s [6] Donald Bar-rie, Journalism ’00, was hon-oured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in February 2013. The ceremony took place at a gala

hosted by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor David Onley at Roy Thomson Hall. Barrie was recog-nized for his community work, specifically as website administra-tor for Lights Camera Access, an organization that advocates for greater arts and media opportuni-ties for persons with disabilities. His medal was presented by fellow honouree and television personal-ity George Stroumboulopoulos. He later received a certificate signed by Governor-General Da-vid Johnston.

Lakhvir Gill, Bachelor of Commerce ’06, is a managing partner at Interware Systems Inc. and was profiled in the Globe and Mail’s Challenge Series, where participants presented their plans for their company to a panel of business leaders who would provide advice. Through his efforts, Interware Systems signed

a $2.15-million service contract with the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) to provide data migration and data retention services to more than 80 AOHC members.

Albert Ho, Nursing ’09, was director of the host organizing committee of the 31st annual North American Association of Asian Professionals (NAAAP) international convention held at the Sheraton Centre last August in Toronto, attended by 325 delegates from 28 cities. Ho has been a member of the NAAAP Toronto chapter for 11 years.

Jaime Stein, Journalism ’03, recently climbed Mount Kiliman-jaro as part of the 25-person team for the #Climb4Cord for Canadian Blood Services (CBS). He made the trek in honour of his father, the late Howard Stein, who passed away as a result of leukemia in 2006. The team raised $350,000 and Stein personally raised more than $25,000. He currently serves as a cabinet member for the or-ganization’s “For All Canadians” campaign, which aims to build the country’s national public cord blood bank. Visit campaignfor canadians.ca/climb-4-cord or follow #climb4cord on Twitter.

[7] Samantha Sturzenbecher-Chan, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management ’07, writes that she is keeping busy these days in her new full-time position as ... mom! Sturzenbecher-Chan and husband Robin welcomed their first baby boy, Preston, in September 2012. Married at Sandals Negril, Jamaica in 2009, the family now calls Oakville home. Sturzenbecher-Chan and

80s [2] Lora Courtois, Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) ’88, is part of three generations of Ryersonians: her father, Bill Hlywka, graduated in Electrical Technology in 1955, and her son, Mitch Courtois, graduated in June from RTA. She writes: “We are all very proud to have graduated from a post-secondary school that provided us with such a great foundation for future careers and for life in general. We have no doubt that our son and grandson will be blessed with the same amazing foundation and lifetime of wonderful experiences that we both enjoyed.” Lora is the principal of St. Catharines Collegiate in the District School Board of Niagara.

[3] Peter Gregor, Architectural Science ’88, is the director of devel-opment for Nautical Lands Group, a leading developer/operator of seniors housing communities across On-tario. He writes: “On Nov. 15, 2012, I was honoured to accept the award for Most Outstanding Retirement Village Plan Worldwide, at the Global over-50s Housing Services Awards ceremony in London, England.”

Shelly Sanders, Journalism ’88, published her second book, Rachel’s Promise, in September through

Second Story Press, as the second book in the Rachel trilogy. The first, Rachel’s Secret, published in April

2012, received a starred review in Booklist and was an iTunes Book of the Week. Sanders was awarded a Canada Council for the Arts grant to write the third book, Rachel’s Hope, which will be released in 2014. She turned to fiction after 20 years as a freelance writer for the Toronto Star, Maclean’s, Canadian Living and Reader’s Digest. Visit shellysanders.com.

38 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

CLASS NOTES

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 39

of 16 bestselling non-fiction books, including a series on wartime Canada, he recently published The Great Escape: A Canadian Story, focusing on Canadian involvement in the March 1944 escape attempt by 80 Commonwealth airmen from Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp. Barris and his work have been honoured with the Canada 125 Medal for service to Canada and the community, the Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Dale Patterson, Journalism ’75, began writing for the Red Deer Press in 2010, after 35 years as a

reporter-editor for the Canadian Press. His first book, Fifteen Minutes of Fame: History’s One-Hit Wonders, was released in March 2013, containing more than 200 profiles of people, places and even animals that were famous for a short time, fulfilling Andy Warhol’s 1968 prophecy that “in the future everybody will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”

[1] Joe Sornberger, Journalism ’74, has joined the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation as director of com-munications programs. The move comes 10 years after establishing a consulting business in Ottawa, pro-viding communications support to government and corporate clients. His 2011 book Dreams & Due Dili-gence tells the story of the discovery and development of stem-cell sci-ence in Canada. A former writer and editor with the Edmonton Jour-nal, Ottawa Citizen and National Post, Sornberger and his wife Sue Michalicka, a communications spe-cialist with IBM, recently celebrated their 38th anniversary.

Members of the Food and Nutrition class of ’83 gathered for a reunion in April in Scarborough, Ont. Back row, from left: Karen (Miller) Witty, Shirley Clark, Kai Kallikorm-Kelly, Irene Grobin and Donna (Chiacchia) Sansano. Middle row: Rosey Stekar, Paula (Giles) Chapman, Donna (Duffield) Milovanovic, Lois (VanCamp) McLeod, Charlotte (Howes) Card and Sue (Riley) Bursey. Front, from left: Cynthia Payne, Helen (Kozel) Hajgato, Linda Radske, Freida (Christidis) Roidis, Joanne Lang and Maureen Ellis. Not pictured: Suzanne Shamie.

Seventeen members of the Architectural Science class of ’88 gathered for a 25-year reunion dinner last May, sharing memories and lots of laughs, writes Peter Gregor.

Samantha Sturzenbecher-Chan, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management ’07, husband Robin and their baby boy, Preston, born in September 2012.

7

Donald Barrie, Journalism ’00, with Ontario Lieutenant-Governor David Onley, upon receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

6

CELEBRATE SOCiAL WORk’S 50Th ANNivERSARy ThiS SPRiNG

The School of Social Work invites alumni to come back for a series of lectures on the theme of Looking Forward, Looking Back — Anti-oppression and beyond, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school. The lecture series begins March 6 with a closing reception on May 1 in honour of Russell Jolliffe who started the School of Social Work. For more details, visit the website at www.ryerson.ca/socialwork/swanniversary.

1

Joe Sornberger, Journalism ’74, is director of communications

programs at the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation.

Peter Gregor, Architectural Science ’88, was honoured for his work as director of development for Nautical Lands Group.

3

Last April, a group of Architectural Science ’84 alumni (and one RTA ’84 alumnus) played their 30th anniversary hockey game at Ryerson’s new sports facility.

4

The RTA class of ’93, pictured here in the stairwell of the Rogers Communications Centre, gathered for a 20-year reunion in June.

5

Three generations of Ryersonians: Lora Courtois, TRSM ’88, her son Mitch Courtois, RTA ’13, and her father, Bill Hlywka, Electrical Technology ’55.

2

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CLASS NOTES

Put more power in your CV. The Chang School at Ryerson University has an excellent reputation with employers. They know the continuing education it provides thoroughly prepares people for today’s job market—and tomorrow’s. And they look for it in resumés.

Today The Chang School offers over 1,500 courses, seminars, and workshops, and 93 career-related certificate programs that can help you advance, build, or change your career. You can choose from evening, weekend, or online classes, and more than 400 courses are offered through distance education. Twenty certificate programs are entirely available at a distance.

At The Chang School, we support our alumni well beyond graduation. Contact one of our career or academic advisors—and find out how we can help you continue to soar.

ryerson.ca/ce/alumni

olours

SOARING WITH THE CHANG SCHOOL

The right credentials. The right connections. The right support.

Tamara, Graduate, 2013Certificate in Human Resources Management

Robert, Graduate, 2006Summer Film School

Peter, Graduate, 2013Certificate in Business Communication

Put more power in your CV. The Chang School at Ryerson University has an excellent reputation with employers. They know the continuing education it provides thoroughly prepares people for today’s job market—and tomorrow’s. And they look for it in resumés.

Today The Chang School offers over 1,500 courses, seminars, and workshops, and 93 career-related certificate programs that can help you advance, build, or change your career. You can choose from evening, weekend, or online classes, and more than 400 courses are offered through distance education. Twenty certificate programs are entirely available at a distance.

At The Chang School, we support our alumni well beyond graduation. Contact one of our career or academic advisors—and find out how we can help you continue to soar.

ryerson.ca/ce/alumni

olours

SOARING WITH THE CHANG SCHOOL

The right credentials. The right connections. The right support.

Tamara, Graduate, 2013Certificate in Human Resources Management

Robert, Graduate, 2006Summer Film School

Peter, Graduate, 2013Certificate in Business Communication

in memoriamRoberta Allen, formerly of Secretarial and Administrative Studies, died April 20, 2013 of natural causes. During her long tenure at Ryerson, Allen made many lifelong and dear friends. For many years, she filled the challenging role of assistant chair in the Department of Secretarial and Administrative Studies. Upon

her retirement, Allen returned to her native British Columbia to care for an aging mother.

Bryan Cantley, Journalism ’69, died of cancer on June 25, 2013. He had recently been honoured with the Michener-Baxter Special Award for his

commitment and outstanding service to Canadian journalism and the newspaper industry. After a decade as reporter and editor with the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal and Etobicoke Guardian, he found his true calling in 1981, when he joined the Canadian Daily Newspaper Association as director of

editorial services. When he retired from the association in 2007, stepping down as vice-president of member services, it had grown to include weekly and community papers and had a new name, Newspapers Canada. He remained on board as the executive secretary of the National Newspaper Awards,

her family are also celebrating their eighth anniversary as successful owners and operators of Macy’s, a popular casual dining restaurant in Mississauga. Visit www.macysdiner.com.

[1] Phyllis Tsang, Architectural Science ’05, recently volunteered

in Haiti with Engineering Ministries International in Croix des Bouquets. She was part of a team of architects and engineers from across North America who volunteered their time to design a new facility for Life is Hope Orphanage, which has been caring for children since 2001. It grew in

the days and weeks following the 2010 earthquake and currently cares for 175 children at two orphanage sites, but has had to turn away children due to lack of room in the current facilities. As part of the architectural team, Tsang’s role was to establish the site plans and design of an orphanage and guest house.

10s Bobby Thomas Cameron, Public Policy and Administration (master’s) ’10, was nominated for the Shirley Case Leadership Award for Global Citizenship in recognition of his contributions to his community and beyond. During his under-graduate studies at the University of Prince Edward Island, he was active with the Students for

Literacy program and the student refugee program, and sought out roles that mirrored his commit-ment to social justice. While studying abroad in Malta, Cam-eron established an English lan-guage program at a refugee centre to assist asylum seekers, and later volunteered in Kenya with the Muchui Women’s Business Cooperative and Farmers Helping Farmers. In recognition of his volunteerism and commitment to international development, he was awarded the 2010 Red Cross Young Humanitarian Award, the Dan MacIntyre Human Rights Award and the McGraw-Hill Publishers Engagement, Initiative and Achievement Award.

Ringo Ka Long Ng, Build-ing Science (master’s) ’10, was among 20 nominees in the

ASHRAE New Faces of Engineer-ing program. The program, part of National Engineers Week and co-sponsored by ASHRAE, pro-motes the accomplishments of young engineers by highlighting their contributions and result-ing impact on public welfare. A

project manager at S+A Footprint in Toronto and an energy analyst for the past two and a half years, he has contributed to the design of 30 projects. ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide, focusing on

building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainabil-ity within the industry.

Gwen von Harten, Ted Rogers School of Retail Management ’12, is creating Castle Board Game Café at the for-

mer Saigon Palace at 454 Spadina Ave. She envisions a modern trendy space where people can hang out and play board games, with more than 1,000 board games, game gurus to teach visitors, a commu-nity table, decadent desserts, great drinks and a feminine touch.

Phyllis Tsang, Architectural Science ’05, in yellow T-shirt, recently volunteered in haiti, and is pictured

here visiting a Life is hope orphanage.

1

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42 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2014

CLASS NOTES

in memoriamserved as executive director of the Commonwealth Journalists Association and was active with the International Press Institute. At Ryerson, he was a founding member of the Journalism Alumni Association and also coached the women’s hockey team for several seasons.

Yolanda Coppolino, formerly of the Faculty of Business, died on June 15, 2013 at the age of 83, following a short illness. Deeply committed to teaching, she engaged her students with passion and served her department as a thoughtful, dedicated chair and colleague.

Andrew Dubchak, Environmental Health ’74, died of cancer on June 13, 2012.

Tanya Khan (Alrawdah), Ted Rogers School of Manage- ment ’98,

passed away due to a brain aneurysm in August 2013, at the age of 38. She was an active member of the Ryerson community and a natural leader. A member of many student groups such as DECA, she also helped pioneer the Business Management Alumni

Association, and worked in a variety of on-campus positions such as residence advisor. Khan joined Deloitte & Touche as a consultant for a few years before completing a bachelor of education from York University, and had spent the last 11 years teaching, while participating in many school board initiatives. She is survived by her husband, Asif Khan, Administration and Information ’96, three daughters, and a large community of family and friends.

Percy Ploss, Graphic Arts ’50, of Oshawa passed away in

August, 2013 in his 86th year. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force before attending Ryerson where he was one of four printing management students on the original Ryersonian masthead. In an interview for the Ryersonian’s 55th anniversary, he recalled that “there were no deadlines. It took probably two months to fill the paper, by the time you got all the editorials and the type set.” Later he was a printer with General Printers, a publisher with Arta Publishing in Toronto, a business owner (Bell Offset Printing) and, after a brief retirement, an investor and entrepreneur. n

We’d love to hear from you!

Protection of privacy: The information on this form is collected under the authority of the Ryerson University Act. The information will be used in connec-tion with University Advancement initiatives directed at alumni, parents of former students, staff and faculty supporters for the purposes of providing you with information about programs, services, offers, surveys, events, and communications from Alumni Relations, Marketing & Communications, Development and Academic programs or faculties, to provide receipts for donations, for fundraising purposes, as well as the collection of statistics. We do not sell or otherwise publicly disclose your personal information, nor will we share it directly with any of our corporate affinity partners. Ryerson uses mailing houses or other third-party agencies who are bound by confidentiality agreements to contact you on behalf of the affinity partner. At no time do the affinity partners have direct access to your contact information unless you agree. At any time you have the right to request that your personal information cease to be used for our University Advancement initiatives or for fundraising purposes. If you have questions about the collection, use and disclosure of this information by the University, please contact the Office of the Executive Director, Alumni Relations, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, ph: 416-979-5018.

What’s new?Let us know what you are up to by sharing a note about your life – updates about where you live and work, and news about marriages, additions to the family, career changes and achievements. Please attach a separate piece of paper.

nq Remarks/comments

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May we publish your comments?

nq YES nq NO

Update yoUr information online:

1. Online community: ruonline.ryerson.ca

2. Web form: www.ryerson.ca/alumni/stay-in-touch/updateinfo/webform.html

3. Email: [email protected]

Where are you now?Fill us in: Staying in touch with Ryerson, by keeping us up-to-date on your contact and employment information, ensures that we can keep you informed about alumni benefits and issues of interest to you.

nq I am interested in alumni groups and activities, such as program-based associations, regional branches or shared-interest group chapters.

nq I am interested in running for an alumni representative seat on Ryerson’s Board of Governors.

nq I am interested in running for an alumni representative seat on Ryerson’s Senate.

nq I am interested in acting as a mentor through the university’s Tri-Mentoring Program.

nq I would like to nominate an outstanding graduate for an Alumni Achievement Award.

nq I am interested in having my business included in the Alumni Discount Program.

nq I am interested in supporting Ryerson by making a gift to the Annual Fund.

nq I would like someone to contact me about part-time/summer job opportunities for Ryerson students.

nq Please send me information about courses and programs available through The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education.

nq Please send me information about courses and programs available through the Yeates School of Graduate Studies.

nq I am interested in learning how I can support student and alumni entrepreneurial endeavors by becoming an angel investor with the Ryerson Angel Network. (www.ryersonangelnetwork.com)

nq I am interested in learning how to start my own company through the StartMeUp Program (www.startmeupryerson.com) and/or seeking an equity capital investment for my company from the Ryerson Angel Network.

nq I am interested in serving as a local ambassador in the Alumni Regional Contacts Network (ARCN)

Staying connectedRyerson hopes to foster lifelong relationships with our alumni and friends, and offers a number of ways for you to stay actively engaged with the university. Please indicate any or all areas which are of interest to you, and we will be pleased to follow-up with you personally.

nq Mr. nq Ms.

nq Mrs. nq Dr. PreferreD/Given naMe surnaMe

naMe at GraDuation (if Different)

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telePHone eMail

ProGraM(s) Year(s) of GraDuation

eMPloYer Position/title

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Please return this form to: Ryerson University Magazine University Advancement Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON Canada, M5B 2K3

Fax: 416-979-5202

Parents: If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter and they no longer live at this address, Ryerson University Magazine would appreciate knowing their new address. Information should be directed to University Advancement at the mailing address or fax number shown here. Or please email [email protected]

Travel to exotic places with friends – without worryEnjoy your next vacation with your Ryerson friends. Travel safely and take advantage of our competitive pricing and experienced trip leaders.

2014 packages: Ancient Kingdoms of China; Sorrento, Italy; Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia... and more

For more information on the Alumni Travel program, visit ryerson.ca/alumni or call Jennifer at 416-979-5000, ext. 7864.

“Everything was well planned and ran on time. All hotels were top quality (and) our travel director took great care of us, making the trip easy.”

Ed Wrobel, Electrical Technology ’68 (pictured on right)

Stay in touch. Get involved. Enjoy the privileges!ryerson.ca/alumni

W I N T E R 2014 • Ryerson University Magazine 43

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44 Ryerson University Magazine • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

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This year, the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing celebrates 50

years since Ryerson became the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to offer diploma nursing education outside of a hospital nursing school.

“The school has, over the years, estab-lished a reputation for leading edge and socially responsive nursing education,” says Usha George, dean of the Faculty of Community Services. “We are dedicated to graduating nurses who are leaders in nursing practice and play an active role in shaping Canada’s health care future.”

The program started in 1964 with 19 students, and through its history, Ryer-son’s innovative nursing curriculum has evolved, including degree completion programs for registered nurses, a four-year baccalaureate program and, most recently, a graduate program in nurs-ing. Each change has emphasized the importance of integrating a theoretical base with the requirements of profes-sional practice to the benefit of more

than 2,700 students currently enrolled.The school continues to be innova-

tive in scholarly, research and creative activity (SRC). A recent accredita-tion review recognized the school for integrating SRC in teaching and student engagement, says director Don Rose.

In 1973, the school expanded to integrate the diploma nursing programs from the Wellesley School of Nursing, SickKids and Women’s College Hospi-tal. In 1980, Ryerson offered a post-diploma degree, followed in 1983 by the first part-time degree option; both demonstrated the university’s efforts to work around nurses’ busy schedules and offer flexible education, reflecting changes taking place in the profession. The school again broke new ground in 2001 by offering a collaborative nursing degree program with George Brown and Centennial Colleges.

In 2009, the school was named the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing to recognize benefactor Jack Cockwell’s

mother, who had been a nurse.Sue Williams, a former director of

the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and former dean of the Faculty of Com-munity Services, graduated from the Wellesley Hospital program. She says the academic shift in nursing education has opened doors for students to pursue management positions, roles in com-munity and public health, and specialty roles such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or nurse researcher.

“We are giving graduates the chance to broaden their horizons,” says Wil-liams. “The discipline is a combination of using head, heart and hands. In the past, there was less independent and critical thinking, which in the high-stress environment of health care today is absolutely crucial.”

Visit www.ryerson.ca/nursing/50 for information on anniversary events. n

hAllA IMAM Is A RyERsoN jouRNAlIsM sTudENT.

By hAllA IMAM

GrAduAteS of ryerSon’S nurSinG SChooL, the LArGeSt in CAnAdA, heLp ShApe the future of heALth CAre

celebrating 50 years of leadership

Nursing students circa 1975 review patient X-rays.

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Page 25: The bumblebee effect - Ryerson University · social, career and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep current on university develop - ments, alumni associations, events and

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