Arts & Science honoured volunteers and donors at the first in-person celebration of its kind since before the pandemic as the enthusiastic chatter and laughter of more than 100 guests hummed through the halls of Faculty Club on September 12.
“The resilience of our Arts & Science community guided us through these last few years, as we maintain our reputation as one of the most comprehensive academic divisions in the world,” says Dickson Eyoh, interim principal at New College, noting that volunteers didn’t hesitate to jump online for mentorship opportunities during the pandemic. (View photos from the celebration.)
“I volunteered during the pandemic because it was a very isolating time,” says Shanewaz Abbas, who majored in computer science and has mentored several students since he graduated from U of T in 2014 as a member of University College.
Nell Bent, director of development at Arts & Science, remarked that recognizing alumni volunteers in-person was a top priority.
“We are truly thankful for the time you have volunteered to the Faculty and the colleges because we know it’s time away from your own lives — your families, your hobbies and your passions,” she says.
“Your generosity is something worth celebrating.”
Some attendees marked decades of involvement with the university. Robert Boeckner graduated in 1963 with a bachelor of science in math and physics that led him to a career in pensions and insurance. As soon as he retired, Boeckner began mentoring many students. He also served on the University College Alumni Association executive committee, U of T’s College of Electors, the Audit Committee and the Business Board.
“People were volunteering when I was a student, making my life better,” says Boeckner. “I enjoy spending time with today’s students.”
“I remember being lost, confused and scared,” says Vicki Chan, recalling earning her honours bachelor of arts in 2011 as a member of Trinity College. “Now I really want to give students reassurance that things are going to be okay.”
Volunteers like A&S alum Annesta Duodu said volunteer support during her time at U of T was crucial.
“Mentoring was really important to me when I was going through my university experience, and it’s nice to impart some knowledge that helps students as they're going through similar issues,” says Duodu, a lawyer and Victoria College alum who earned her honours bachelor of arts in 2017.
Her top advice to mentees is to be open to new experiences.
“I was very passionate about my path, and I didn’t really leave a lot of room for exploration, but university should be a time to try some different things and branch out.”
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