What St. Mike’s Celebrated in January and February
The start of the winter semester brought dignitaries to campus, well-deserved recognition for our outstanding volunteers and students, and, of course, plenty of snow.
Due to inclement weather, St. Michael’s and the broader University of Toronto closed the campus. Our groundskeeping and facilities teams worked tirelessly to clear the snow and ensure the campus was safe to reopen.
Opening of Ice Rink
With the arrival of winter weather, we opened our outdoor ice rink, the only one on the University of Toronto campus. The rink is an initiative of the St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) and is open to all. Skates may be rented from the SMCSU office in Brennan Hall during its office hours.
St. Mike’s Student Makes Olympic Debut
Speaking of skating, St. Mike’s student Stephen Gogolev made his Olympic debut, earning a fifth-place finish in men’s figure skating. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement!
New Endowment to Expand Kelly Library’s Special Collections
A new endowment created by the Friends of the Kelly Library (FOTKL) to support the acquisition of rare and important materials will enhance the student experience while also serving as a lasting testament to the dedication of some of St. Michael’s hardest-working volunteers.
At their recent general meeting, the Friends announced a $100,000 commitment to establish the Special Collections Acquisitions Endowment Fund. The funds will be gifted following the 2026 book sale as part of a legacy initiative connected to the University’s 175th anniversary in 2027, according to James Roussain, William D. Sharpe Chief Librarian and Director of Special Collections at the John M. Kelly Library.
2025 Arbor Awards
Several members of the USMC community were honoured with the University of Toronto’s Arbor Award, the institution’s highest recognition for extraordinary volunteer service.
Among St. Michael’s College’s 2025 recipients were:
- Maria Gallo, recognized for her leadership as president of the St. Mike’s Alumni Association and for her longstanding service on key committees;
- Elizabeth M. Creal (Elizabeth Gilbert), honoured for her transformative work with the Friends of the Kelly Library and for revitalization efforts that enriched student and alumni engagement; and
- Founders of the USMC Alumnae Initiative for Women, Rita Marie T. Hadley, Theresa A. O’Keefe and Brenda A. Sweeney, who are celebrated for building a vibrant alumnae network that advances gender equity, advocacy and meaningful programming at St. Mike’s.
These honourees — along with others from across the University — were recognized for their mentorship, governance, fundraising, and support of student initiatives. Their dedication exemplifies the spirit of service the Arbor Awards celebrate and highlights the many ways they enrich the University experience for current and future generations.
Student Leadership Awards
Seven St. Michael’s students received the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award, which recognizes graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, volunteer service, and commitment to the University.
This year’s recipients are Sara Beaini, Bridget Bowles, Thomas James Gillespie, Clizia Martini, Katie McBain, Sun Jaehyun Sur, and Michelle Sum Yee Wong. Each has made a lasting impact on the St. Michael’s community.
Ireland Ambassador and Minister Visit USMC
On January 27, the University of St. Michael’s College welcomed John Concannon, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, and Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland’s Minister for Culture, for a special visit and meeting.
The visit provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue on shared cultural, educational, and academic interests, strengthening ties between Ireland and the St. Michael’s College community within the University of Toronto.
The following day, President David Sylvester travelled to Ottawa to attend the launch of Canada-Ireland 180, a national initiative commemorating 180 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Ireland. His presence underscored the College’s longstanding ties to Irish heritage and its ongoing commitment to fostering international academic and cultural partnerships.
President Sylvester attends ACCU Annual Meeting in Washington
From January 30 to February 2, President David Sylvester travelled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. The gathering brought together leaders from Catholic institutions across North America to discuss shared priorities in higher education, mission-driven leadership and collaboration.
Book Launch for Professor Granata’s Book
The launch of Professor Paolo Granata’s latest book, Generative Knowledge: Think, Learn, Create with AI, was held on February 11 at the Rotman School of Management.
Professor Granata is widely recognized for his expertise in media literacy and recently discussed the “friction-maxxing” trend on CTV News.
Medieval Women Workshop
The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies hosted its annual workshop on the theme ‘Medieval Women: Authority and Observance’. Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P., delivered the opening remarks, followed by presentations from Maureen Boulton on a fourteenth-century Occitan noblewoman’s prayerbook and Devon Sherwood on French Books of Hours for English patrons.
The workshop also featured two St. Mike’s Medieval Studies undergraduates — Meagan (Meg) Mellor, who presented on women performers in Chester’s medieval drama, and Annika Rempel, who explored female audiences in Bernard of Clairvaux’s Sermons on the Song of Songs — presenting alongside fellows and faculty.
Aquinas Lecture
St. Mike’s Fellow Professor Liz Smyth delivered this year’s Aquinas Lecture, offering reflections on three outstanding European educators who significantly shaped the educational environment in Toronto and influenced the broader landscape of Canadian education.
Annual Donovan Lecture
This year’s Donovan Lecture featured a conversation with visual artist Linda Martinello, whose work can be found all around campus. Her work also inspired the evening’s theme of Memory and Place, which included the lecture and Student Art Showcase. Students from across disciplines were invited to to submit original pieces exploring how place lives on in memory.
Black History Month Book Display
During Black History Month, the Kelly Library curated a book display showcasing the wide range of Black voices and stories represented in its collection. The display featured novels by acclaimed authors such as Toni Morrison, biographies of civil rights leaders, and contemporary memoirs reflecting Black life today.
Co-Op Student Joins Continuing Education
Continuing Education is pleased to welcome co-op student Laura DeOliviera to the team. Currently in Grade 11 at Central Toronto Academy, Laura will assist with events and administrative tasks as part of a program that supports skill development and prepares young people for success in university.
Christmas Market Raises Funds for Out of the Cold
December’s Christmas Market raised just over $1000 for the Out of the Cold Program at the St. Basil’s Church. These funds will go towards providing hot meals, comfort and kindness to those in need this winter.
Fall/Winter 2026 Edition of St. Michael’s Magazine
The Fall/Winter 2026 edition of St. Michael’s alumni magazine explores why families of St. Mike’s graduates continue to return generation after generation. Read the online edition to learn more.