Arts & Science donor recognition event celebrates impact with highlights of student leadership, research and community engagement

The Arts & Science community gathered at Hart House on November 20 to celebrate inclusive excellence, featuring the faculty’s brightest students from a range of programs.

“Inclusive excellence is essential to us and remains one of our greatest strengths,” Antoinette Handley, acting dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, told the engaged crowd of distinguished alumni and donors. 

“Thanks to your support, we’ve increased the number of awards for talented students, ensuring financial challenges never impede their ability to pursue their ambitions. You’ve helped so many exceptional students obtain a quality education and go on to make a meaningful difference within their communities.”

The evening started with a student panel warmly moderated by alum Eugene Choi, who earned his honours bachelor of arts degree in 2012, majoring in philosophy and ethics as a member of Woodsworth College. He also earned his master of business administration as valedictorian from the Rotman School of Management in 2019 and was honoured with the Arbor Award in 2021.

The panel featured accomplished fourth-year students from across the faculty: Kristina Cổ-Đoàn, majoring in criminology and sociolegal studies, bioethics, and critical studies in equity and solidarity, as a member of University College; Michael Nebesny from Rotman Commerce, specializing in accounting, also as a member of Woodsworth College; Kyle Newcombe, from Rotman Commerce specializing in finance and economics as a member of Innis College; and Navya Siddiqui, majoring in life sciences with a focus on health and disease as a member of New College.

As panelists, these exceptional students shared advice for aspiring leaders and illustrated how donor support enables students to focus on their studies and participate in campus community and activities, including clubs and student government.

“Today’s students are showing us what’s possible when they’re supported by mentors and opportunities that make inclusive excellence a reality,” says Choi. “And when I think about leadership, I reflect on the mentorship I received as a student because it shaped my ability to engage with others and lead effectively.”

Donor attendees were then treated to the tangible demonstration of their generous impact with a student showcase spread throughout Hart House’s great hall and lower gallery.

There were a range of inspiring exhibits set up around the event space. For example, guests lined up to play “Pencil Pushers”, an award-winning video game co-created by A&S alum Tianhe Zhang who graduated this year with an honours bachelor of science as a computer science major and a member of St. Michael’s College; and U of T Scarborough alum Ryan Blasetti. In the game, players help a pencil named Woody spell words to create objects that aid in his escape from the office.

“We know parents play the game with their kids and help them spell words, and it creates this bond and community feeling — that’s what gaming should be about,” said Zhang.

The Field Research in Ecology and Evolution Diversified (FREED) initiative highlighted its success in increasing access to field research for Black, Indigenous and racialized students. Since 2022, donors have generously supported this transformative opportunity that sends aspiring researchers to Algonquin Park, where they gain experience gathering data in real-world conditions.

Attendees also learned about Black Doctors of Tomorrow, which creates a supportive community for Black students pursuing careers in health care. Co-president Voke Ewhrudjakpor, a fourth-year student studying global health, explained how the group regularly meets to address the challenges faced by underrepresented students in the medical field.

“The medical school process is very difficult, especially for people from marginalized communities,” she said. “We really want to create a community where students have a network of people like them who have faced similar challenges, so everyone can feel supported on their journey.”

And Dream Scape captivated attendees with its mission to improve sleep quality among young adults. It was developed by second-year students Dora Gombar, an economics and computer science major and a member of St. Michael’s College, and Hee Jin Kim, who is completing a double major in pharmacology & toxicology and physiology, with a minor in immunology as a member of Trinity College.

The innovative platform analyzes the effects of social media and screen time on sleep, offering personalized tools including a sleep calculator that lets users track and improve their habits. A poll conducted by Gombar and Kim found more than 99 per cent of U of T students surveyed used screens right before bedtime, with 40 per cent describing themselves as generally sleep-deprived.

Attendees also connected with scholarship recipients who were mingling with the crowd, sharing personal stories about the impact of donors on their education. The students, representing a variety of programs and colleges across the faculty, shared how scholarships have enabled them to focus on their studies, pursue creative projects and volunteer.

After touring the exhibits, donor and community member Tessema Mulugeta says he was delighted to learn how his generosity was making a meaningful impact in the lives of students.

“Seeing these young students and their work gives me hope,” he says. “It’s inspiring to witness them doing their part to create a better future.”

Read the original article posted on the A&S site here.