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Student Achievement Shines at St. Mike’s STAR Night

Apr 9, 2026 by jessica

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St. Mike’s came together to celebrate its brightest stars at the annual STAR (Student Leader Appreciation and Recognition) Night and Reception, held in Father Madden Hall on April 1. Honourees and guests gathered for a memorable evening recognizing outstanding student contributions to leadership, student life, athletics, academics, and service.

“Tonight is a celebration of you, your gifts, and your commitment to develop those gifts. You have made St. Mike’s proud,” said St. Mike’s President David Sylvester in his welcoming remarks.

The evening shone a spotlight on the recipients of the SMC Student Leadership Awards, recognizing non-graduating students who have gone above and beyond in areas including social justice, peer mentorship, mental and physical wellbeing, and student publications. This year’s recipients were Michelle Angelica Abolas, Elizabeth Amponsah, Lauren Daunt, Mysha Khan, Pik Yu Vanecia Lai, Arshad Nafis Saleh, Mackenzie Saleh, Alice Zhao, and Julia Jingyi Zhu.

The night also celebrated the seven St. Michael’s students named University of Toronto Student Leaders, recognized for their remarkable impact on the St. Michael’s community.

The winners of the SMC Undergraduate Research Colloquium, held in March, were also announced:

Best Lighting Talk

From Victorian Detective to WWII Spy: The Cultural Adaptability of Sherlock Holmes
Samiha Akbhar

Best Posters

Contested Seas: Authority, Morality, and Justice in the Early Modern Atlantic
Sharmeen Imran
The Intersection of Class Bias and Morality in the Criminalization of Irish Convict Women Transported to Australia
Sabrina McLennon
Sherlock Holmes: Weaponizing Logic for British National Identity
Katherine Rose

Best Presentations

Witness Creation and Abet It: Alternative Printing in 1970s Toronto
Mayumi Ramos
Let There Be Light: Staging Outdoor Lighting in the York Plays
Vivian Zhi

Student Choice Awards

Baby Steps in Game Theory: An Inside Scoop on Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location
Charlotte Yu
Optimizing a CO₂ Activation Assay to Quantify Host-Seeking Behavior in Anopheles Gambiae
Sarah Fidora

The St. Mike’s Athletic Intramural Awards rounded out the evening, with Eden Bloomer, George Thordarson, Ophelia Cheung, and the SMC Women’s Division 2 Soccer Team all taking home honours.

Attendees also had the chance to vote on the STAR Night Peer Award recipients whose guidance, energy and impact have made a meaningful difference in the St. Michael’s College community.

View photos from the evening.

Senior high school students from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) recently took part in an enriching experiential learning opportunity as part of their Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program.

The SHSM program is an Ontario Ministry of Education–approved program in Ontario that allows high school students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The program is designed to help students transition more smoothly into postsecondary education, apprenticeships, or the workforce.

St. Michael’s welcomed over 50 students from the TCDSB over two days, March 24 and 25, and introduced them to the following areas: book repair and conservation, event planning, and exhibit curation.

Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on workshops led by USMC staff including Jessica Barr, University Archivist and Records Manager, Francesca Rousselle, Processing Archivist, and Chinelle McDonald, Residence Care Coordinator.

Boxes made by TCDSB students during the Book Repair and Conservation session for their SHSM program.

The initiative, organized by the Continuing Education Division, reflects St. Michael’s commitment to developing and strengthening partnerships and to bridging classroom learning with real-world applications. “What makes these days so valuable is the spark they create: a moment when a student can see themselves in a future pathway they may not have previously imagined. By bringing together education, hands-on practice, and community partnership, we’re helping students build confidence, ask deeper questions, and recognize the many directions their learning can take,” said Michael Salvatori, Director of Continuing Education.

Following their certification sessions, the students enjoyed lunch in the student dining hall and a tour of campus led by one of our St. Mike’s student tour guides.

St. Michael’s proudly embraces students across every field of study in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. This series profiles students in the STEM disciplines who are approaching their work in fascinating ways, and uncovers how St. Michael’s has supported them along the way.

Stepping into unfamiliar territory is uncomfortable. Clizia Martini knows that better than most. A public health class she took on a whim reshaped her entire degree. A pain research lab at the Faculty of Dentistry was the last place she expected to find herself, but it became the foundation of her research work. Running for St. Michael’s College Student Union wasn’t something she had considered until she saw the opportunity to champion mental health awareness on campus.

That willingness to step into unfamiliar territory, and find purpose there, is also what drives her work as SMCSU’s Vice President of Mental Health. Because for many St. Mike’s students, reaching out for mental health support feels exactly like that: a step into the unknown. Clizia is trying to make it easier.

Clizia grew up in Indiana and arrived at U of T certain of one thing: she wanted to study psychology. Everything else followed from there.
Her global health major came after an introductory public health class in her first semester prompted her to think differently about health systems and the communities they serve.

Her research career began the same way. In second year, she came across a posting seeking research assistants for the Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain Research, housed in U of T’s Faculty of Dentistry. She was skeptical. Pain research wasn’t on her radar, and the Faculty of Dentistry felt like an odd fit for a psychology student, but she applied anyways.

“It was really interesting getting to learn about how much pain affects so many people in our general population, and how little of it is understood,” she says.

Three years later, she is leading her own project in the lab, examining the thermal grill illusion, a physiological phenomenon in which non-painful temperatures produce a burning sensation. Her work aims to determine whether the effect is transient or long-lasting, with implications for understanding the body’s underlying pain mechanisms.

She also works in the Corbit Lab in U of T’s Department of Psychology, where she conducts behavioral neuroscience research using rodents. These research projects have laid the foundation for how she thinks about human behavior, stress and the gap between what people feel and what they are able to articulate.

That foundation is visible in how Clizia approaches her SMCSU role. Rather than simply promoting existing resources, she has focused on the specific obstacles that keep students from using them.

Clizia Martini participated in the “Road to Research” panel at St. Mike’s Colloquium.

One of her first initiatives was a series of short videos walking students through the process of booking a health and wellness appointment. The videos cover what to expect on the call and suggest practical strategies for managing the anxiety that can make even that first step feel difficult. The approach reflects what she has learned in her psychology coursework about behavior and the conditions that make change possible.

She also organized Wired Wellness, a panel event that brought together St. Mike’s Wellness Manager and Accessibility Advisor in the same room to answer students’ questions. The event was designed to address a specific problem she had observed: students either didn’t know who to contact or assumed that certain services, particularly accessibility services, weren’t relevant to them.

The connection between her coursework and her advocacy work runs through her events programming as well. At a recent trivia night co-hosted with the SMCSU’s Academic Portfolio, one of her categories focused on debunking common misconceptions about mental health conditions. She built the questions using her abnormal psychology notes. Concepts from her learning and plasticity course, which covers behavioral paradigms and habit formation, inform the study strategies she shares with fellow students.

As Clizia prepares to graduate in June, she is focused on what she leaves behind at St. Mike’s.

“I hope that other people in my position after me will keep building on the work I’ve done,” she says.

Three St. Michael’s students were recognized at the Undergraduate Awards of Excellence in Economics Ceremony. The Department of Economics’ annual awards ceremony was held on March 4 and celebrates the achievements of undergraduate students during the 2024-2025 academic year.

St. Michael’s student Anirudh Patel was one of two recipients of the Professor James Pesando Memorial Scholarships in Economics. The award will assist Patel as he pursues graduate studies.

“I’m primarily interested in research to evaluate and transform economic policies for the betterment of everyone,” said Patel. “I intend to pursue university studies up to the PhD level to prepare for a career in this direction,” he said.

The award is named in honour of Professor Pesando who was well known for his skillful teaching of first year economics courses and is awarded to students who were top performers in 100 level courses with preference given to those students in financial need. Patricia Higgins, who was instrumental in the creation of the scholarship named in honour of her late husband, was a special guest at the event.

The Banker’s Scholarship in Economics was established with a gift from the Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Royal Bank of Canada, and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in 1891. It goes to the student with the highest standing in the intermediate macroeconomics course sequence. This year’s winner was Kirill Utyashev, a St. Michael’s College student majoring in economics and computer science with a minor in statistics.

Hannah Wang won the Paul L. Nathanson Scholarship. The scholarship was established in memory of Paul Nathanson, who was the founder of the General Theatre Investment Company. It is awarded to an outstanding student whose program includes at least three full courses in Economics.

“I’m incredibly grateful that my hard work has been recognized through this award,” Hannah Wang said. “It motivates me to continue striving for excellence as I hope to return next year to pursue a master’s degree.”

As harm and violence continue to affect communities worldwide, the work of safeguarding has never been more urgent. The Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College brought that conversation to the forefront on March 6, 2026, hosting a guest lecture by Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ, Director of the Institute of Anthropology, Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. The event drew faculty, staff, and students from Regis St. Michael’s, along with members of religious communities and His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo.

Fr. Zollner spoke to pressing safeguarding challenges facing both the Catholic Church and broader society, framing the work as something far more expansive than damage control.

He argued that safeguarding in the Catholic Church is fundamentally about the co-creation of safe spaces, safe processes, and safe relationships, pushing back against a purely defensive understanding of the term. That work, he added, demands an honest reckoning with the Church’s past and present failures, and a recognition that every member of the faithful — whether lay, ordained, or religious — has a role to play.

Meditating on an icon that is the motif of his Institute at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Fr. Zollner indicated that Christ the Saviour, depicted healing and consoling diverse members of the human family, is the model and guide for doing such work. In a global context, safeguarding must centre human dignity, while remaining sensitive to how boundaries, safety, and guarding are understood across different cultures.

This lecture was supported by the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways For Tomorrow grant for the Canadian Centre for Catholic Pastoral Leadership (CCCPL) at the University of St. Michael’s College, which provides continuing education for pastoral leaders in ongoing formation, leadership, synodality and community-building.

(left to right) President and Vice-Chancellor David Sylvester; Audrey Wong, Regis St. Michael’s doctoral student; Susan K. Wood, SCL, Professor of Systemic Theology; Sr. Gill Goulding, CJ, MTh, STL, PhD, Professor of Systematic Theology; Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ, Director of the IADC; and His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Cardinal Archbishop of Toronto and Chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College

When launched in 2026, the CCCPL will be an innovative hub providing continuing education for pastoral leaders in ongoing formation, leadership, synodality and community-building using delivery methods that are accessible to a wide constituency of leaders, lay, religious, or ordained. Administered by USMC’s Division of Continuing Education, the Centre will offer a catalogue of topical and evergreen non-degree seminars, workshops, and courses designed to support ministers engaged with parish work in Canada’s diverse cultural contexts, while also supporting communities of practice.

Read the Archdiocese of Toronto’s coverage of Fr. Zollner’s recent lectures, including his talk at Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology.

When artist Linda Martinello sat down in conversation with John Geoghegan, she described how her work is shaped by memories of significant places in her life. “There’s only so much you can take in and see and respond to,” she said. “I’m not trying to get the whole image.”

The conversation was the centrepiece of an evening hosted by the Donovan Collection Committee to increase student engagement with the Donovan Collection at St. Mike’s. Inspired by Martinello’s work, the theme for the evening was “Memory and Place.”

The event was complemented by a Student Art Showcase, with the Principal’s Office inviting students to submit original pieces exploring the theme.

Karina Stellato, Programs Lead for Academic and Community Engagement at St. Michael’s, said the evening was about bringing the Donovan Collection and art to the forefront. “We wanted to have students be the ones to create and showcase their work as a complement to this evening’s event. The hope is to have students engage with the arts, and have that be a catalyst for learning more about the Donovan Collection and what it offers our community,” she said.

John Geoghegan, a writer, art historian, and Curator at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, guided the conversation, drawing on his curatorial expertise to probe the ideas behind Martinello’s practice. His curatorial work includes solo exhibitions of Derek Sullivan, Moridja Kitenge Banza, Rita Leistner, Sandra Brewster, and Ann MacIntosh Duff. He was Co-Editor of the award-winning publication Early Days: Indigenous Art at the McMichael (2023) and former Senior Editor of Inuit Art Quarterly.

The conversation touched on her process and the places that have shaped it. Martinello works in oil and graphite on mylar and her subjects drawn from travels to Matera, Italy; the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico; historical sites in Turkey and Greece; and Banff, Alberta, where she completed a Visual Arts Residency at the Banff Centre in 2024.

She shared how the mentorship she received through working as a studio assistant for acclaimed painter Denyse Thomasos while completing her MFA and then again after graduation shaped her artistic vision, process, and creative trajectory.

Her work is held in prominent private and corporate collections and can also be found all around campus as part of the Donovan Collection.

The event was complemented by a Student Art Showcase, with the Principal’s Office inviting students to submit original pieces exploring the theme.

Shelli Cassidy-McIntosh, a member of the Donovan Collection Committee, introduces the event.

The response was enthusiastic, with student artists from across disciplines offering their own interpretations of how place lives on in memory.

For student artist Radhika Punchhi, the theme inspired her to paint a scene with special meaning. Her piece depicts a woman standing alone beside a street food cart, a self-portrait that explores her experience of cultural belonging. “I specifically chose this type of food because when it’s eaten, you usually enjoy it with a bunch of people — it’s street food, there’s a lot of interaction,” she explained. Radhika’s parents had immigrated to Canada and then moved back to India. The painting reflected her experience of being back in her country of ethnic origin. “I specifically made the subject a lone figure because it was based on my experience of feeling lonely in my own cultural makeup,” she said.

St. Michael’s student Carrie Ji took a more sentimental approach, painting a scene from a photograph taken of her in a café — a place she came to realize had quietly anchored many of the significant moments of her life. “The theme was really special to me, especially as someone who’s very nostalgic,” she said. “Having the chance to convince myself to paint something like this for an exhibit really drove me to create something meaningful.”

Together, the works in the Student Art Showcase reflected what Martinello’s own practice has long embodied: that memory is never a perfect record, but something that is felt. By bringing her work and her thinking to campus, the evening gave students the space to explore that idea in their own voices and reminded us that art can turn the landscapes we carry inside ourselves into something others are invited to enter.

It is awards season and the St. Mike’s Troubadours took home two prestigious awards.

At the U of T Drama Festival hosted by Hart House from February 25-28, the USMC Troubadours were awarded two of the festival’s most prestigious honours. The festival is known as a high-profile showcase for up-and-coming theatrical talent.

Emi Sunahara-Meadows’ performance in Harlow’s Rhesus Monkey garnered her the Donald Sutherland Award for Best Performance and Mashreka Mahmood took home the Robertson Davies Playwriting Award for Harlow’s Rhesus Monkey.

Of Mashreka’s original play, the award presenters stated, “This is an artist that took risks with their writing, told a story that not many of us would try to write because it’s out of time, out of place and very old-fashioned if you would say so. But it takes courage to tell this kind of story and this playwright went for it, used all the tropes, and hooked us in right away.”

Emi’s performance was heralded by adjudicator, Tony Ofori, as compelling and created a strong connection with the audience.

The annual festival is a competitive event intended to provide an encouraging platform for the development of student talents, promotion of creativity and the recognition of excellence in theatrical performance and production. The festival provides an opportunity for U of T students from all campuses to compete for fun and adjudicated awards. A full list of the award winners is available on the Hart House Theatre website.

The dual recognition underscores not only the strength of the troupe’s original writing but also the caliber of its onstage talent, marking a significant milestone in the Troubadours’ ongoing artistic legacy.

The Troubadours, established in 2013, have long fostered student-led theatre that blends creative ambition with a deep respect for dramatic tradition. This year’s slat of productions included Little Women, Footloose and Drama Fest. Tickets for the current production, A Fae Play, are available now.

This year’s two-day SMC Undergraduate Research Colloquium is underway, offering attendees a glimpse into research being conducted by students from across the St. Mike’s community and beyond.

The Colloquium opened with a new addition: a panel sponsored by the St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) titled “The Road to Research.” The panel invited Colloquium presenters to share how they first got involved in research and to offer practical advice for students looking to do the same. Suggestions ranged from connecting with graduate students to being intentional in outreach emails and applying to opportunities early. By embedding these conversations directly into the Colloquium, SMCSU aims to create a pipeline from today’s audience to next year’s presenters.

SMCSU President Sariha Dewan, who participated as a panelist, spoke to the significance of the new format. “A couple of SMCSU counselors who have been really involved in research outside of the Colloquium wanted to bring a perspective of what’s next after the Colloquium,” said Sariha. “How can students go from today, maybe being inspired by the research they saw at the Colloquium, to presenting next year.”

To carry that momentum forward, SMCSU will launch a Road to Research Resource Bank through its social media platforms, giving students ongoing access to guidance and opportunities beyond the Colloquium itself.

Following the panel, there was an interdisciplinary session, lighting round and a session co-sponsored by student groups for Celtic Studies, Medieval Studies and Christianity and Culture. The addition of student group-sponsored sessions helps bolster the visibility of SMC’s academic programs.

Angelina Semchuk presented her work on the role of setting in 19th-century Gothic literature as part of her Celtic Studies minor. Presenting at the Colloquium for the first time, she reflected on the experience, “It was nerve-wracking, but seeing the amazing turnout today, the room was full and that was really motivating.”

Sarah Fidora, a third-year student studying applied genetics and biotechnology with double minors in immunology and philosophy, shared research she conducted over the summer at Johns Hopkins University on Anopheles gambiae, the mosquito species that serves as the primary vector of malaria transmission. For Sarah, the Colloquium offered a rare opportunity to present work done outside of U of T. “I wanted to participate because I wanted an opportunity to share the research that I did, especially given that it wasn’t conducted at U of T, so there wasn’t an allocated place for me to share my research,” she said.

The Colloquium continues to demonstrate the breadth and ambition of undergraduate research at St. Michael’s, with this year’s expanded format making space for more voices, disciplines, and conversations than ever before.

The University of St. Michael’s College is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Murdoch as Director of Communications, effective April 21, 2026.

Andy comes to St. Michael’s with an extensive background in university communications and marketing, along with a deep commitment to the arts and humanities. He joins us from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he was Director of Strategic Communications. Before that, he managed communications in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montréal, Quebec. He began his university career at Dalhousie University, where he redeveloped its website.

“Andy brings exactly the kind of strategic vision and communications expertise that St. Michael’s needs as we continue to tell our story to the world. His record of building strong institutional identity, cultivating meaningful narratives, and supporting the communities he serves makes him an outstanding fit for our university. I look forward to welcoming him to the senior leadership team,” says University President David Sylvester.

Over his sixteen years in university communications, Andy has led innovative visual branding efforts, developed storytelling strategies across established and emergent media, and improved online user experiences. He has consistently aligned communications and marketing strategies with recruitment and advancement goals by championing the successes of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Prior to his career in higher education, Andy worked for regional and national media outlets, including The Coast, the Toronto Star, CBC and The Guardian (UK).

“I am honoured to join such a storied university. St. Michael’s mission resonates deeply with me: I love to see an institution that stokes a desire not only for academic success, but for social justice, inclusion, and actions that improve the common good. Universities play an essential role in community life across Canada and I look forward to helping St. Mike’s continue its tradition of developing passionate, caring citizens,” says incoming Director of Communications Andy Murdoch.

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.

Founders of the USMC Alumnae Initiative for Women receive U of T’s Arbor Award.

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.