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Mackenzie Young Finds Her Path to a Future in Education

Jan 16, 2026 by jessica

News St. Mike's Students

When Mackenzie Young arrived at the University of Toronto four years ago from her home in Vancouver, she quickly discovered a community that has stayed with her throughout her undergraduate journey and has supported her as she balanced academics, work, and a growing passion for education.

Attending the University of Toronto had long been a dream for Mackenzie. She chose to live in Fisher House for its convenient location near the subway, which made visits to her grandparents easy, and she was immediately drawn to the campus’s Gothic Revival architecture and beautiful open spaces.

“Like for a lot of people in residence, it was my first introduction to living alone and my first experience living in the city,” she says.

Residence life played a central role in helping Mackenzie build lasting friendships, particularly during meals in the Canada Room. She looked forward to gathering with fellow residents each day and connecting over shared meals.

She particularly remembers her final evening in the Canada Room. “We were all having dinner together, and it was such a beautiful night that everyone living in residence laid out blankets in the quad. We were hanging out, chatting, and looking at the stars. It was a really, really nice way to end our residence experience,” she recalls.

Those connections carried forward as Mackenzie moved into an apartment with friends from residence while continuing her studies, pursuing a major in Women and Gender Studies, along with double minors in English and Sexual Diversity Studies.

“I took my first gender studies class in first year and I loved it. I felt like there was so much more that I needed to learn,” she says. “I’m very passionate about teaching and working with kids. Before I begin my career, I wanted to be educated in topics that feel especially relevant right now. There are so many important conversations about gender and sexual identity happening in the education system.”

Mackenzie’s journey to U of T was shaped by determination. “Since I was a young teenager, it was a dream of mine to come to U of T and I worked a lot during my adolescence to be able to afford to come here.”

Throughout her undergraduate years, Mackenzie continued working and secured employment through connections she made in residence, as well as by accessing resources at St. Michael’s College. Her first job was at Jimmy’s Coffee in Kensington Market, where she immersed herself in Toronto life. “It was a really fun way to get involved in a vibrant neighbourhood. It felt like I was getting an authentic Toronto experience,” she says. She later worked at Fet Zun, a restaurant owned by a well-known Toronto chef.

This past summer, Mackenzie worked as a camp counsellor at Spadina Museum, a Toronto History Museum—an experience that solidified her desire to work with young people.

“I was working with amazing kids who were so curious, and I could connect with them on a level that I couldn’t do through tutoring or babysitting. I was a part of their lives, and I could also be fun and silly, which I love,” she says.

As convocation approaches later this spring, Mackenzie looks forward to celebrating alongside the friends she’s made over the years and taking the next step in her journey by pursuing teacher’s college.

The University of St. Michael’s College wishes to thank Father Alexander Laschuk, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute (MASI), for his extraordinary service to the Institute and to the Regis St Michael’s Faculty of Theology. After more than five years at MASI, Fr. Laschuk stepped down from MASI as of December 31, 2025 to focus on his many other professional and vocational duties.

“Fr. Laschuk has been invaluable to the Institute and has served the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology (RSM) extremely well. He has been instrumental in revitalizing the Institute’s programming and chaplaincy,” said Prof. Jaroslav Skira, who is the Fr. Terrance Forestell, CSB, Dean of the Faculty.

While Fr. Laschuk has enjoyed the work he has taken on while at MASI, he has a number of demands on his time, filling several roles concurrently, Skira said.

Fr. Laschuk “would have loved to continue in his role at MASI but his responsibilities as the Judicial Vicar of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese as well as of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada, serving as Chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto, have been quite demanding, all of which take place in addition to his teaching for RSM,” the Dean added. “Most importantly, he has a lovely young family to care for. We will miss Fr. Laschuk’s friendly and collegial demeanour and his dedication, which have contributed greatly to the Institute’s success.”

St. Michael’s President David Sylvester echoed Skira’s comments.

“Fr. Laschuk has been a true asset to the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, dedicated to MASI and a strong source of guidance and support,” Sylvester said. “He remains a friend to St. Michael’s and I wish Fr. Alex, Olenka and their children well.”

Catherine Pawluch, President of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute Foundation, which funds the work of MASI said: “We owe a profound debt of gratitude to Fr. Alexander Laschuk for his dedicated service as Executive Director of MASI and for shepherding the Institute through the recent years of transition. He has brought much needed stability and continuity to the work of the Institute. The MASI Foundation extends its gratitude to Fr. Alex and we wish him every blessing as he takes on his new role as Chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada.”

Fr. Laschuk completed his doctorate of canon law at Ottawa’s Saint Paul University. His research interests are ecclesiology, procedural law, penal law, and sacramental law. The courses he has taught while at St. Michael’s include Canonical Tradition of the Christian East and Introduction to the Eastern Churches.

“We are coming up on 10 years at St. Mike’s and in the last five MASI has really solidified our position at the university,” says Fr. Laschuk, pointing to milestones such as granting His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, an honorary doctorate, the sold-out event featuring a conversation between His Beatitude and historian Timothy Snyder, and the naming of Sheptytsky House as signs of MASI’s success.

“Working at St. Mike’s has been a great experience. It’s top-tier university where I was learning great management from David (Sylvester), who is a great leader, and I have had many opportunities for growth,” Fr. Laschuk says. “I look forward to collaborating with MASI and St. Mike’s and I hope to continue teaching.”

Plans for a replacement for Fr. Laschuk will be announced in the new year.

Another term wrapped up with convocation ceremonies, inspiring lectures, and a first-of-its-kind art exhibit. We closed the semester with our Christmas celebrations — a joyful send-off before members of our community headed off to spend time with family and loved ones over the holiday break.

Regis St. Michael’s and Continuing Education Convocations
For the first time, graduates of St. Mike’s and Regis convocated in a joint ceremony on November 8. Graduates were warmly welcomed and congratulated by their respective Chancellors: Archbishop Cardinal Frank Leo (St. Mike’s) and Fr. Jeff Burwell, SJ (Regis). Fr. Michael Kolarcik, SJ delivered a heartfelt convocation address in St. Basil’s Church, touching on a range topics with a focus on peace and justice. Sr. Dr. Carla Thomas, OP, was awarded this year’s Governor General’s Award.

William John Bennett, a renowned USMC community member and alumnus, received an honorary degree (Doctorate of the University) during the theology convocation, followed by a luncheon held in his honour in Father Madden Hall.

Continuing Education Social Responsibility and Sustainability Convocation
Students from the Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SR&S) Post-Graduate Diploma Program also marked this milestone with their own convocation ceremony in Charbonnel Lounge. President Sylvester and Director of Continuing Education Dr. Michael Salvatori offered their remarks and the four recipients of the President’s Capstone Award were announced.

Opening of Regis St. Michael’s Canadian Centre for Catholic Pastoral Leadership
The launch of the Regis St. Michael’s Canadian Centre for Catholic Pastoral Leadership was celebrated with a keynote address by Dr. Kathy Galleher on sustainable ministry and self-care. Funded by a generous Lilly Foundation grant, the Centre was developed in consultation with religious leaders and will offer continuing education on topics ranging from how to offer spiritual direction through to managing capital projects.

Fifty Irish Lives in Canada Book Launch
To celebrate the launch of their new book, Fifty Irish Lives in Canada, 1661–2017, authors Drs. Eamonn McKee, former Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, and Mark McGowan, St. Michael’s Professor and Principal Emeritus, discussed the history and collaborative effort behind this project. The book highlights Irish men, women, and children whose lives and contributions helped shape Canada.

Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) Women at the Heart of Justice Campaign Stops at RSM
The Regis St. Michael Faculty of Theology had the privilege of hosting Sr. Laura Vicuña Pereira Manso, a member of the Franciscan Catechist Sisters and an Indigenous land defender from the Brazilian Amazon. Sr. Laura spoke about the essential role women play as defenders of life, land, and human rights. The event was organized by the CJI, the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, and the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology.

Lecture on Christian Ethics and Indigenous Spirituality
Regis College, Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, and the University of St. Michael’s College were proud to present a lecture by Dr. Christine Jamieson titled ‘Christian Ethics and Indigenous Spirituality in Dialogue: The Seven Grandfather Teachings and Lonergan’s Structure of the Human Good’.

SMC Awards Night
Incoming and returning students were celebrated at the SMC Awards Night, where recipients of a wide range of awards and scholarships — from in-course prizes to the King Charles III admission scholarship — were announced. Principal Irene Morra told the assembled crowd of students, professors, donors, and alumni, that the recipients had “achieved so much and promise to achieve so much more.”

Fall Campus Day
St. Michael’s welcomed more than 150 visitors to campus for this year’s Fall Campus Day. Prospective students, applicants, and their families explored campus through guided tours led by faculty and upper-year students and learned more about all that St. Mike’s has to offer.

Blessing of the New Kelly Library Garden
As part of the blessing of the new Kelly Library Garden, attendees paused to observe, listen, and appreciate the newly planted foliage. Interim Director of Mission and Ministry Fr. John Meehan, SJ performed the blessing. The gathering was organized by The Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology and St. Michael’s Campus Ministry. Watch video

The New Pope and the Role of Women in the Church: What’s Next?
The latest in the Alumnae Initiative for Women’s (AI4W) Conversation Series featured an online panel discussion on the new pope and the future of women in the Church. Presented in collaboration with St. Mike’s Division of Continuing Education, the event’s panelists delved into the evolving landscape of the Catholic Church. Moderator Celia Wexler (SMC 7T0) facilitated a lively conversation with Dr. Catherine Clifford (SMC 0T2), Rosemary Burns Ganley (SMC 5T8), and Dr. Phyllis Zagano.

Third McLuhan Salon
USMC and the McLuhan Foundation hosted the third McLuhan Salon of the 2025 season, continuing a series that explores the intersection of media theory and digital culture. Moderated by Prof. Paolo Granata, the event featured Adrian Guzmán, author of Technopsychology: Analysis of Human Behavior in New Media (2025), and Andrey Mir, author of The Digital Reversal: Thread-Saga of Media Evolution (2025), who shared insights into how digital technologies shape our minds, media, and understanding of the world.

Remembrance Day Prayer Service
The St. Michael’s community gathered at the Slype to pay respects to St. Michael’s fallen through a prayer service organized by the Campus Ministry team. Fr. John Meehan, SJ blessed the wreath that was later taken to the University of Toronto’s Remembrance Day service at Soldiers’ Tower.

Student-Curated Exhibit Features Donovan Collection
Students in the Donovan Seminar curated an art exhibition featuring one of the Donovan Collection’s most important and widely represented artists. Ted Rettig in Contest was on display in the Kelly Library until the end of December.

Schola Cantorum Advent Concert
Once again, theSchola Cantorum Advent Concert was a highlight of the Christmas season. The meditative concert of chant and choral music —rich in themes of longing, hope, light, and joy —featured the world premiere of a work by Canadian composer Beverly Lewis.

Faculty and Staff Christmas Party
Faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the season and share some holiday cheer before the break. The event included a Christmas dinner, a performance by students from the Campus Ministry Choir, and concluded with the always popular door prize draw.

Fall Clean-Up Day
A chilly day didn’t stop our SMCSU and community members from pitching in at the campus clean-up day, helping refresh the campus grounds in preparation for winter.

4th Annual SMC Christmas Market
Even with the windchill, the St. Mike’s community came together to enjoy the Christmas Market. With more than 35 vendors, the event was filled with festive cheer as visitors shopped for gifts and treats and enjoyed student carollers. The market raised over $1500 to support the Out of the Cold Program at St. Basil’s Church— a wonderful way to end the semester. View photos.

A new student-curated art exhibit in the John M. Kelly Library invites visitors to engage with the Donovan Collection in new ways. Ted Rettig in Context places works by one the collection’s most represented artists, Ted Rettig, alongside other pieces in the collection.

The pairings were selected by first-year students enrolled in the inaugural SMC One Course, “The Donovan Seminar: Visual Art and Meaning” and are accompanied by student-written curatorial statements.

Throughout the semester, students explored the relationship between art and meaning, using pieces from the Donovan Collection, which can be found all around the St. Michael’s campus, as their primary material.

“This course taught me that I need to look a little deeper and have more context to understand art and the world around me,” said Ella Doubleday, a first-year student enrolled in the Donovan Seminar. “I really appreciated how we were able to bounce ideas off of each other during the seminar and that collaboration really helped the exhibition flow nicely.”

Professor Stephen Tardif, who led the seminar, praised the students’ work, saying, “I am very proud of my students. They leaned into the seminar format of the class by collaborating and conducting high-quality research. Their hard work paid off with an exhibition that can be enjoyed by the greater community.”

The exhibit is set up in the Kelly Library Multi-Purpose Room, which also served as the seminar’s classroom.

“The students took the lead on how the art was to be displayed. In our final seminar we talked a lot about how the exhibit would flow. We explored the space together and thought carefully about the layout. It’s fitting, because we turned the classroom into a gallery space, just as the Donovan Collection turns spaces on campus into a gallery of sorts,” says Professor Tardif.

In addition to students gaining hands-on curatorial experience, the exhibit also makes the Donovan Collection more accessible to the campus community. The opening on December 4 drew students, staff, faculty, and community members, including friends of Ted Rettig.

“I hope the impressions that the students managed to create by pairing these works together will challenge and stimulate people to think, feel and experience different ideas that maybe they are not accustomed to,” said Linda Roy, a parishioner of St. Basil’s and friend of Ted Rettig who attended the opening.

One of the draws of the exhibit is witnessing the students’ curatorial choices.

“I think it’s wonderful because you really do get multiple perspectives on how these works can be viewed, interpreted and experienced. Art can touch people differently at different stages of life and here I get insight into the younger generation’s outlook. What speaks to me about this exhibit is that you don’t have to be an art major to understand why these pieces are placed together. You don’t have to be an already practicing or aspiring artist or a student of art to understand or experience the pairings,” says Alice Wong-Rettig, who is also connected to the artist and attended the exhibit opening.

St. Michael’s College Continuing Education Division congratulates Kathryn Cooper on her retirement and extends its gratitude for her outstanding years of service as Program Manager of the Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SR&S) Post-Graduate Diploma Program. The SR&S diploma equips students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to advance and transition into careers in social responsibility, ESG and sustainability. Stepping into the Program Director role is Dr. Shilpa Tiwari, a global leader in sustainability, corporate citizenship, and diversity and inclusion.

Cooper joined St. Mike’s in 2014 at the invitation of Dr. Mimi Marrocco, the program’s founder. Over the past eleven years, she has expanded and strengthened the program to meet the growing demand for professionals trained in social responsibility and sustainability. Under her leadership, the program evolved from a certificate to a full diploma. In 2019, she introduced the President’s Capstone Awards, recognizing graduates with the top summative projects.

In recent years, the curriculum has undergone further development adding ESG, an MIT Climate Simulation, Truth and Reconciliation, Mindfulness and Meditation, Allyship and kicking off a process to embed a Culturally Responsive and Sustainability Mindset curriculum throughout the program.

“Over the years, the SR & S Diploma has evolved with the rapid changes in this field. With support from President David Sylvester, the Senate, Mimi and the graduates of the program, we have been able to create a program that continues to evolve and equip participants with the knowledge, skills and perspectives they need to thrive as businesses recognize that social, environmental and governance issues are material today and into the future,” says Cooper.

Cooper’s leadership and commitment have been recognized beyond campus. She recently received Clean50’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to environmental change—an honour for which she was nominated by a SR&S graduate.

Her passion for sustainability began on her family’s largely self-sufficient dairy farm in Quebec, where she grew up growing vegetables and raising livestock. She went on to earn a BSc in Agriculture and Food from the University of Guelph, an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a M.Ed in Sustainability and the Environment from York University. Throughout her career, she has used education as a springboard to new opportunities, a drive she recognizes in her own students.

“I think most of our students are looking to merge their career with the values and passion for a better world. And that’s what we’ve set out to do through this program—give people the avenues to transition into a field or accelerate their career in a field where they can make their career their calling. And we do that through not only technical knowledge, but also mindfulness, reflection and reconnecting with their role as human beings in relationship with nature and the human family. Resilient leaders bring purpose and meaning to their work. It’s about learning to bring your ‘whole self’ to work,” she says.

Taking on the role of Program Director is Dr. Shilpa Tiwari, an executive with more than 15 years of experience leading sustainability, corporate citizenship, and diversity and inclusion initiatives in complex global organizations. She has worked across sectors, including financial services, mining, oil and gas, forestry, and energy, and brings an entrepreneurial and cross-cultural perspective to St. Mike’s.

“Over the last two decades I’ve worked in sustainability and social impact across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America, and a pattern has become very clear: the most meaningful change happens when people have the tools to connect global challenges to local action. St. Mike’s, and the Social Responsibility and Sustainability diploma in particular, sit at that intersection. I was drawn here because the program doesn’t treat sustainability as a buzzword or a branding exercise—it treats it as a deeply human, ethical and practical undertaking. Joining St. Mike’s felt like an opportunity to bring my global experience back home to Toronto, and to help mid-career professionals translate big ideas about climate, equity and justice into concrete decisions in their workplaces and communities,” she says.

Dr. Tiwari holds a BSc in Environmental Science from Queen’s University, an MES in Environmental Policy from York University, and a PhD in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Since joining the Continuing Education team on November 1, she has received a warm welcome from the St. Michael’s community.

“From my first meetings, I’ve sensed a genuine commitment to educating the whole person, not just transferring technical knowledge. I’ve been struck by how collaborative and curious the community is. It feels like exactly the right environment to have the kind of nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable but necessary conversations that social responsibility and sustainability demand,” she says.

“I’m looking forward to building on the strong foundation Kathryn has created and to growing the program in ways that respond to a rapidly changing world.”

To mark her retirement, Cooper was presented with a keepsake book filled with messages of gratitude, memories, and well-wishes from former students, colleagues, and friends whose lives and careers have been shaped by her work. Below are some of those messages:

“As you step into this next chapter, I want to take a moment to celebrate all that you’ve brought to the SR&S program and to everyone lucky enough to learned alongside you. Your kindness, thoughtfulness and genuine care have touched so many lives. You’ve built an inclusive, supportive community where students, like me, felt seen, heard and inspired to make a difference. Your dedication to teaching and to empowering others through education has created a ripple effect; one that will continue to shape sustainability professionals in Canada and abroad for years to come.”
– Ewa Czerny, Chair of the SR&S Alumni Committee from 2023 – 2025

“Don’t break with tradition. Enrich it”. This is what you’ve done for a highly specialized program here at St. Mike’s that started out small, but thanks to you, it grew… and grew… and GREW. You embraced our traditions and respected and shared our values. Then you added your personal values, your extensive knowledge and your remarkable skills as a leader and an innovator. The result was quite simply miraculous. Thank you, Kathryn, for all that you’ve done for Social Responsibility and Sustainability in general and for the St. Michael’s Continuing Education Division in particular.”
– Dr. Mimi Marrocco, founder of the SR&S program

“Kathryn, sending you the biggest congratulations on your retirement and more importantly on all your achievements throughout your career. I am eternally thankful for taking the CSR course back in 2018 as it helped drive me towards my dream job which I am still working in and thriving in. You led and guided us with such expertise and care and inspired us to help change minds, change our companies, and in our own small ways change the world. What an impact! Thank you. Enjoy your next chapter!”
– Emilie Nosovic, Senior Manager, LEGO® Replay North America at The LEGO® Group, 2018 graduate of the SR&S program

“Thank you Kathryn for changing my life! Your contributions to the community, the lessons I’ve learned from you are all invaluable assets that I will carry with me years on. I wish you all the best on your new journey and I trust, that by way of who you are, more souls will be blessed as you’ve blessed me. Cheers!”
– Blessing Oluloto, Debt Operations Coordinator at CAP Canada, 2025 graduate of the SR&S program

“Kathryn, you made a huge impact as I transitioned my career from Asia Pacific to the Americas; I am truly grateful for everything you did to help! Wish you all the best with your next chapter, I know that you won’t stop giving back, because that’s who you are.”
– Adnan Zaman, Superintendent of Social Performance at Newmont Corporation, 2021 graduate of the SR&S program

The start of another academic term brings no shortage of things to celebrate, including Michaelmas, Fall Convocation, and a new exhibit opening in the Kelly Library.

St. Mike’s and Regis Receive $2.8-million in Lilly Grant Funding
Two exciting new initiatives are coming to Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology (RSM), made possible through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. The University of St. Michael’s College will use a grant of $1.4-million CDN to help establish the Canadian Centre for Catholic Pastoral Leadership (CCCPL). Regis College has been awarded a grant of $1.4-million CDN to support the establishment of Walking in Service, an initiative to develop educational resources and programs to support the community-based formation of congregational leadership in Catholic Indigenous communities in Canada.

Michaelmas
The start of St. Michael’s academic year was marked by our annual Michaelmas celebration. More than 250 students, staff, and faculty took part in the day, which began with a beautiful Mass and continued with a lively street festival featuring food trucks, balloon animals, volleyball, and even some spontaneous line dancing. It was a joyful display of community and tradition, bringing the SMC community together in true St. Michael’s spirit.

Legacy Wall Inductees
As part of the Michaelmas festivities, two new honorees were added to St. Michael’s Legacy Wall. Distinguished historian and former USMC Principal Professor Mark McGowan was inducted to the legacy wall along with distinguished alumna Sr. Evanne Hunter, IBVM. Mark McGowan is renowned for his work on the history of Toronto, Canadian Catholicism, the Irish Famine and Diaspora, and the Irish in Canada. Sr. Evanne is a former Collegium member and has worked tirelessly for the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary for well over fifty years, serving as Provincial Superior for Canada, among other important roles. A luncheon for honorees and their guests was held following the Michaelmas Mass.

Collegium Retreat
On September 18th, members of the USMC Collegium participated in an annual retreat and orientation for new members. President David Sylvester gave a presentation on the history of USMC. President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Dr. Donna Carroll joined us from Washington, DC to contribute her unique insights to the retreat. There was also a panel discussion with President Sylvester joined by members of Collegium and senior administration who have previously served as presidents in Catholic higher education, including Dr. Mike DeGagne, Father George Smith, CSB, Dr. Carroll, and Fr. John Meehan. It was a great opportunity for new and returning members to learn about governance and Catholic higher education.

Collegium AGM
The USMC Collegium Annual General Meeting was held on October 8th. It was an opportunity to say farewell to outgoing Collegium members and welcome new members into the fold. Both incoming and outgoing Collegium members received gifts for their service. Collegium members attended a dinner in Loretto’s Romero Room after the meeting.

FAS Convocation
On October 27th, 154 graduands were honoured at the Faculty of Arts & Science Convocation. St. Mike’s students joined students from other U of T colleges for their convocation ceremony at Convocation Hall. Following the ceremony, St. Mike’s grads and their families were invited to come back to campus for a reception in Charbonnel Lounge.

Welcome Esma Tuzunatac
Esma Tuzunatac joins the Continuing Education team as a work-study student for Fall 2025. Esma is pursuing a double major in applied genetics and biotechnology & cell and molecular biology with a minor in German and will support Continuing Education’s programs, courses, and events.

Continuing Education Launches Micro Credential in Catholic Leadership
In October, Continuing Education welcomed the first cohort in SMCE2000 Leadership for Transformative Changemakers in Catholic Organizations. A group of senior leaders from education and non-profit organizations participated in sessions focused on contemporary issues in Catholic communities, inclusive leadership, communication and organizational responses to community issues using problem-based learning.

Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue
The Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue, recently assumed by Continuing Education, launched this fall with a new design that builds on the diploma’s strong foundation, offering course content and flexible delivery options that continue to support meaningful engagement, reflection, and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds.

Continuing Education Attends When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference
In October, the Continuing Education team attended When Faith Meets Pedagogy, Canada’s top Catholic educational conference. The conference presented opportunities to interact with Catholic educators and teachers and keep them up to date on Continuing Education’s Additional Qualification and Interfaith Diploma offerings.

Continuing Education Council
The Continuing Education Council, responsible for providing advice to the CE Division and for reviewing and recommending new courses and programs to the Senate, met in late September. The Council approved two new courses in the Interfaith Dialogue Diploma program as well as a new Additional Qualification course for religious education teachers in Catholic schools.

Continuing Education’s Marketing and Recruitment Strategy
The Continuing Education Division began working with Sean Williams, a marketing and recruitment specialist, who has been engaged on a contract basis to assist the Division in developing a marketing strategy to boost enrollment in its courses and programs. Sean is currently meeting with stakeholders and partners to understand their interests and needs and is also conducting an environmental scan to fully understand the opportunities and challenges in marketing and recruitment in continuing education.

Special Collections Class Visits
The Kelly Library Special Collections Reading Room has always been open to students. But thanks to three Book & Media Studies classes — BMS110: The Printed Book (taught by Kit MacNeil); BMS402: The Power of Print (taught by Chris Patton); and BMS331: The History of the Book (taught by Kit MacNeil) — more students than ever have crowded in to the second-floor room to leaf through 17th- and 18th-century books. Handling samples from the library’s Rare Books Collections, students learn to identify book formats, pinpoint watermarks, write bibliographic descriptions, and figure out the printing processes and techniques used to produce the books. While some students were nervous handling 200-year-old books, many were thrilled to be engaging with the past and appreciated the hands-on nature and meticulous attention to detail the activity required.

Regis Library Collection Moved to Kelly Library
After several years of hard work, the Regis Collection has now moved to the Kelly Library and integrated with St. Michael’s materials. This achievement was possible thanks to a collaborative effort among the Regis College Library and the Technical Services and Access & Information departments at the Kelly Library.

Day of Dante
Prof. Francesco Ciabattoni of Georgetown University was welcomed to campus to speak on “Dante’s Musical Journey in the Divine Comedy.” The lecture incorporated musical examples performed by members of St. Michael’s Schola Cantorum led by Professor Michael O’Connor, W. J. Bennett Family Chair of Christianity and the Arts.

The Dante Lecture was proceeded by a tour of the Dante Gardens and followed by a reception where new additions to The Dante Collection were unveiled, making for a full evening of Dante excitement.

Opening of ‘The Big Maps: The Sisters of Service as Canadian Trailblazers’ Exhibit
The Big Maps: The Sisters of Service as Canadian Trailblazers, a new exhibit in the John M. Kelly Library, opened with much fanfare. Mark McGowan, Professor Emeritus of History and Celtic Studies at the University of Toronto and Principal Emeritus of St. Michael’s College, on the pioneering vision of Sister Catherine Donnelly, who founded the order, and the role of the Sisters of Service (SOS) in welcoming, housing, and teaching new Canadians from diverse cultural backgrounds. The lecture was recorded and is available here. The exhibit celebrates the Sisters’ place in Canadian history and marks the arrival of the SOS archives at the Kelly Library. The Big Maps will be on display until summer 2026.

Campus Walking Tour
Staff and faculty learned a bit more about the College’s history and art in a walking tour guided by our well-informed archivist, Jessica Barr. The tour was organized by the SMC Wellness Committee as a way for colleagues to connect and enjoy a mindful break.

Welcome Day
The Principal’s Office hosted a Welcome Day for our four sponsored programs, a time to set aside the books and get to know each other better. It brought together students and faculty from Christianity & Culture, Medieval Studies, Book & Media Studies, and Celtic Studies for refreshments and socializing.

Celtic Studies Lecture
The latest installment of the Celtic Speaker Series was delivered by Dr. Padraic X. Scanlan on ‘ROT: The Irish Appetite and the Great Hunger’.

Relaunch of McLuhan Salons
This fall saw the relaunch of the McLuhan Salons with two events taking place. The evenings feature a lively discussion on a chosen book, moderated by Prof. Paolo Granata.

Loneliness: A Theological Appraisal Presentation
On September 24th, Graham Ward, Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford (Emeritus) and Professor Extraordinarius at the University of Stellenbosch, gave us a theological appraisal of loneliness.

Lecture on The Second Established Religion of the Caliphate
On September 19th, Dr. Philip Wood of The Aga Khan University presented on ‘The Church of The East in Ninth Century Baghdad’.

President Sylvester Elected to the IFCU Board of Administration
St. Michael’s College President David Sylvester has been elected to the International Federation of Catholic Universities’ (IFCU) Board of Administration. The global organization of Catholic academic institutions has a mandate to work collegially to facilitate research, partnership and exchange programs between Catholic universities and colleges.

St. Jerome’s University’s Sweeney Award
Congratulations to Prof. Mark McGowan, who was presented with St. Jerome’s University’s Sweeney Award for Catholic Leadership.

Royal Society of Canada Recipient
Congratulations are in order for Professor Jacqueline Murray, a fellow of St. Michael’s College, on being named to the prestigious Royal Society of Canada.

The citation honouring Murray noted her “intellectual creativity and impeccable scholarship have transformed the landscape of premodern European history. Her groundbreaking research in premodern sex, sexualities, genders and bodies has introduced innovative approaches to the study of medieval women and men and established the new research field of premodern men and masculinities.”

Four summative projects from the University of St. Michael’s College’s Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SR & S) have earned the President’s Capstone Award. The winners were presented with a plaque in recognition of their achievement at the convocation for Continuing Education’s SR & S Diploma program that took place on Saturday, November 8 in Charbonnel Lounge.

“The incredible quality of this year’s Capstone projects proves that St. Mike’s continues to lead as an institution dedicated to social justice and sustainability, whether environmental, social, or financial. The flame lit at the creation of Continuing Education’s Corporate Social Responsibility program in 2001—Canada’s first—is burning bright, and we’re proud our graduates are sharing its light with the world,” said St. Michael’s President David Sylvester.

This year’s winning projects addressed how the mining sector evaluates ESG; underrepresentation of women in medical research; community-based programs to deliver HIV services; and securing immigrants with employment that matches their skills and experience.

As part of the SR&S diploma, each student was paired with a mentor who is a practitioner and thought leader in the field of ESG, Sustainability, & Social Responsibility. Students receive guidance as they embark on a 16-month cumulative project designed to give them hands-on practical experience in promoting positive social change and have an environment impact in the greater community.

To be considered for the Capstone Award, projects were nominated by the mentors judged by a four-person panel, which included experts in the fields of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Winners were selected in the following categories: Advancing Social and/or Environmental Impact; Advancing Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG in their organization; and Advancing Innovative Practices in Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG category.

The winners of the President’s Capstone Award:

Fayiz Nooraldeen and Saif Alotaibi’s project titled ‘ESG Rating Agencies: A Comparative Study of Rating Methodologies in Social Performance within the Mining Industry’ was selected as one of the winners in the social and environmental impact category. It examined the methodologies used by leading ESG rating agencies in the mining sector and overseen by Shahin Hirji, Founder and Principal Consultant at Distill Consulting.

Heather Creighton’s project on ‘Closing the Women’s Health Gap: How the IWK Foundation is Leading Transformational Change’ was also selected in the social and environment impact category. Using her own organization as a case study, she outlined ways to close the women’s health gap. She was guided by Shawna O’Hearn, Director of Global Health at Dalhousie University.

Tyler Morden received top honours in the Advancing Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG in their organization category for his project titled ‘From Pilot to Permanence: A Framework for Community-Corporate-Government Engagement in HIV Services’. This project advocated for a community-corporate-government partnership framework to deliver HIV services. Willa Black, Founder of Connected North, was the mentor for this project.

Victor Huynh’s “From Waste to Worth: Designing a circular, zero-waste workforce integration model for skilled job seekers in Canada” won the advancing innovative practices category. This project demonstrated how economic principles can be applied to reduce unemployment and underemployment experienced by immigrants. His mentor was Andrew Robertson, Associate Director of Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk.

In all, eight students were nominated for the award and the remaining four projects received honourable mentions.

In the Advancing Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG in their organization category:

Michelle Muise’s project on ‘Connecting Hearts At Home: A Strategic Framework for Employee Volunteering and Social Impact at Lilly Canada’; mentored by Rachel Baptiste.

In the Advancing Innovative Practices in Social and Environmental Responsibility, Sustainability and/or ESG category:

- Alex Recio Greenwall’s project on ‘Beyond the Bottom Line: A Framework for Integrating ESG into Corporate Valuation Models’; mentored by David Rutherford.

- Kaitlyn Salvador’s project on ‘A Marketing Framework for Social Change’; mentored by Trish Tervit.

- Sage Mosgrove’s project on ‘Visualizing Change: designing data visualizations for impact in sustainability analytics’; mentored by Andrea McLeod.

Congratulations to our Capstone Award winners, honourable mentions and all who earned their Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability on Saturday.

At St. Michael’s, we remember the more than 150 students and graduates who sacrificed their lives in World War I, World War and the Korean War. Their names are permanently etched into the Soldiers’ Memorial Slype, the sandstone archway between Fisher House and More House., their names visible year-round as a lasting tribute to their courage and service.

On Remembrance Day, we invite members of the community to gather at the Slype for a memorial prayer service at 9:30 a.m. The occasion will be a time to reflect on the cost of the freedoms we enjoy today, to offer a prayer of remembrance for the lives lost to war, and to bless the wreath beneath the archway of the Queen’s Park Building (Fisher House and More House). Following the service, anyone wishing to attend the University of Toronto service at Soldiers’ Tower may leave as a group.

This year marks 80 years since St. Mike’s alumni Flying Officer Donal Kevin Joseph Hector and Lieutenant Francis Frank Wilfrid McGarry — two of the names that appear on the memorial — died in service to their country.

While at the University of Toronto, Donal Hector played hockey and lacrosse. He graduated in 1943 and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in May of that year. In January 1944, he received his wing and commission at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Overseas, he served as a flying officer and navigator of a Lancaster bomber. He was reported missing following a raid over Ruhr Valley in Germany (his sixth mission) and presumed dead on March 11, 1945, at the age of 24. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Kleve, Germany.

Francis Frank Wilfrid McGarry graduated from the University of Toronto as part of the class of 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts and joined the Royal Canadian Naval in 1942. He served for a year at a base in Newfoundland before transferring to the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. After earning his pilot’s wing in December 1944, he was stationed for a short time at Somerset, England. He was killed in a flying accident over Northern Ireland on September 8, 1945, at the age of 26. He is buried in Ballycranbeg (Mount St. Joseph) Roman Catholic Churchyard in County Down, United Kingdom.

Members of the St. Michael’s community continue to experience the effects of war. Professor Jaroslav Skira, the Fr. Terrance Forestell, CSB, Dean of the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, recently travelled to war-torn Ukraine to take part in an event organized by the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Synod of Bishops. While there he was able to reconnect with family members. He shares this moving testimonial about what he witnessed. Read ‘InsightOut: I Went to a War Zone’.

The Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology offers our warmest congratulations to Sr. Carla Thomas, OP, on being named the 2025 recipient of the Governor General’s Award. The award is presented annually to the doctoral student with the highest academic standing.

Sr. Carla received her medal at the inaugural convocation for the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, held Saturday, Nov. 8, in St. Basil’s Church.

“It is incredible,” says the Guyanese-born Sister, who belongs to the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena of Étrépagny in Trinidad and Tobago. “I feel immensely grateful.”

Long interested in adult faith formation, Sr. Carla enrolled in the St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology in 2017 to work on a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree to further her knowledge, a move she notes was fostered, encouraged and organized by her congregation.

“All credit goes to my congregation,” she says, adding that the general prioress at that time, Sr. Therese Antoine, and other sisters found St. Michael’s appealing for a variety of reasons, ranging from a Dominican presence at St. Michael’s, and in the city, to the Catholic ethos underpinning the faculty.

Once enrolled, Sr. Carla was encouraged by the supportive, dynamic community she found. She also appreciated the ecumenical approach she discovered on campus, including the presence of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies (MASI), as well as the opportunities to take courses at all the other member colleges of the Toronto School of Theology along with the courses offered at St. Michael’s.

As her MTS studies were wrapping up, Sr. Carla discerned a desire to further deepen her knowledge and was encouraged to enrol in a doctoral program. Inspired by her own ministry contexts and the need she felt for her research to connect with the works of her religious congregation, she pursued a thesis examining Pope Francis’s contributions to family life in contexts marked by colonial histories. Her dissertation set out to propose recommendations of themes and orientations for a regional pastoral strategy aimed at accompanying the various kinds of families present in the Anglophone Caribbean. She points out that while family life is a pressing concern for the global church, the legacy of colonialism has long complicated the Church’s ministry in the region on this issue. This dissertation takes its place in the trajectory of studies by other scholars from the Caribbean who have wrestled with this subject. However, in scope and ecumenical attentiveness, it seems to be the first of its kind from a Roman Catholic perspective.

Sr. Carla undertook this research because she is mindful of the people she has encountered in her ministry who give endlessly of their time and talents to the Church but also face many challenges with church norms and teachings about family.

“I wanted my dissertation to reflect how theology impacts people,” she says.

Now finished her studies, she hopes to continue the work she has been doing with the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs in Trinidad and Tobago, work she had been engaged in for the final two years of her studies.

She was also selected recently to participate in the 2025-2026 cohort of an international panel of women religious theologians, an initiative of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), where she will use her theological training to examine challenges and opportunities that will loom large for consecrated life and the Church in the future.

As she reflects on her time in Toronto, Sr. Carla calls on a phrase coined by Dominican theologian Timothy Radcliffe to describe her experience.

“There is an ‘ecology of flourishing’” she says of life at Regis St. Michael’s. At RSM she found an eco-system of relationships, community and concern for the wider creation which enriched her studies.
“Sr. Carla has been a wonderful addition to life and learning of Regis St. Michael’s. An insightful and inspiring person, we are grateful she selected RSM for her doctoral work because our community has been enriched by her presence. We are confident she will go on to do important work in service to the Church, the academy and her community,” says RSM Dean Jaroslav Skira.

Sr. Carla expresses great thanks to her supervisor, Prof Michael Attridge, committee members Prof. Darren Dias, OP, and Sr. Susan Wood, SCL, her external examiners, various faculty and staff; her friends and colleagues in the doctoral program at RSM; her family, her community, the Dominican friars and her parish in Toronto, Our Lady of Good Counsel Caribbean Canadian Catholic Church.

And, of course, “I feel immense gratitude to God, and to God’s mercy.”

Her dissertation, she says, represents the fruits of contemplation, discovered both in prayer and in hard work in the library.

“I have a sense of gratitude and fulfillment,” she says, adding that she is keen to share her work with Caribbean theologians as well as people here in Toronto.

W. John Bennett (SMC 6T7), who has long given generously of his time and talents to the University of St. Michael’s College, will be awarded a Doctor of the University of St. Michael’s College degree, honoris causa, at the inaugural Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology (RSM) convocation on Saturday, November 8^th at 2 pm in St. Basil’s Church.

A merchant banker, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Bennett is the CEO and Principal of BenvestHoldings/Bennett Church Hill Capital Inc. With more than four decades of successful merchant banking and entrepreneurial experience, he has served on the boards of numerous private and public enterprises and is an active philanthropist with a historical and educational focus.

“John Bennett is an invaluable champion of St. Michael’s, carrying forward his father William Bennett’s dedication to support his much-loved alma mater,” says University President David Sylvester. “It is particularly fitting that John should receive this honorary degree at the inaugural RSM convocation ceremony, given how instrumental he and his generosity have been to the success of the federation.”

Bennett was a member of Collegium, St. Michael’s principal governing body, from 2014-2022, serving as chair from 2015-2017. He was an active advisor in the talks leading to the federation of St. Michael’s with Regis College, serving on the federation steering committee, its governance subcommittee, and chairing its finance subcommittee. Chair of St. Michael’s most recent Presidential Search Committee, he is also a trustee of the St. Michael’s Foundation, which promotes and encourages education at St. Michael’s College. He is the current chair of the board of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (PIMS).

He recently created the W. J. Bennett Family Chair of Christianity and the Arts, which builds on family connections to the St. Michael’s community that date back decades.

He holds an Hons BA and an LLB from the University of Toronto and in 2019 was awarded U of T’s prestigious Arbor Award for volunteer service. In 2012 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and he received an honorary degree from PIMS in 2023.

A resident of Montreal, Bennett is married to Diana Collins Bennett (SMC 6T8). They have three children: Carl, Patrick, and Diana. Bennett has extensive family connections to St. Michael’s, with his father, William (Bill) graduating in 1934, as well as numerous siblings and extended family members part of the St. Mike’s alumni community. William Bennett, John’s father, received an honorary doctorate from St. Michael’s in 1986.

Since 1969, the University of St. Michael’s College has awarded honorary degrees as its highest honour, using its statutory authority as an independent university to bestow doctorates on individuals whose achievements embody or advance St. Michael’s mission, vision, and values as a Catholic institution of higher learning. Honorary Degrees are awarded to individuals who have achieved world-class excellence and exceptionality over their careers.

Formal recommendations of honorary degree candidates are made by the USMC Senate’s Committee on Honorary Degrees and approved by the Senate. Honorary degrees are typically conferred at the University of St. Michael’s College Convocation in the fall.