What St. Mike’s Celebrated in July and August
Once again, the summer months provided an opportunity for the campus to collectively catch its breath in anticipation of the fall semester. Among the things we celebrated in July and August were introducing our incoming students to the St. Michael’s community, bidding farewell to a long-serving retired colleague and welcoming new faces to our faculty and staff.
Orientation and Invocation
USMC celebrated Invocation on August 25th in U of T’s Convocation Hall. The event was marked by an academic procession of faculty, librarians, and staff as well as various festivities for new students. Dr. Mark McGowan delivered remarks to the audience of over 500 incoming students. Members of the Student Life team opened orientation for incoming students with presentations about orientation week and a pep rally.
Invocation was the formal opening of a fun-filled Orientation week that allowed new students to explore the campus through several activities in preparation for the upcoming semester.
Best wishes to all our new students!
Opening of the New Academic Success Centre
The University of St. Michael’s College, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal and the John M. Kelly Library, launched the Academic Success Centre, a new academic support initiative based in the Kelly Library.
Located on the main floor of the library, the Academic Success Centre brings together several core services in one welcoming, accessible space. Students now have coordinated access to one-on-one support for writing help, research help, and consultations with the Learning Strategist. Services are available through a combination of drop-in hours and bookable appointments. This new Centre also establishes a flexible framework for introducing new services as student needs continue to evolve. Read more.
Retirement Party for Duane Rendle
Dean of Students Duane Rendle recently retired after decades of service to USMC and St. Mike’s celebrated this milestone with a retirement party on August 21st. In his 28 years of employment at St. Mike’s, he connected with numerous people during his time at USMC and the event was attended by many of his former colleagues and peers. It was a fitting tribute to one of USMC’s most longstanding members.
Faculty Hires and Promotions
Prof. Christopher Patton will join St. Michael’s faculty as an Assistant Professor, where he will divide his time between the classroom – teaching History of the Book and History of Reading – and the newly minted Academic Success Centre – where he’ll be a Writing Instructor. Students in Book & Media Studies have already benefitted immensely from Patton’s teaching expertise and from his deep commitment to inspiring, challenging, and supporting students at all levels of study.
Two St. Michael’s faculty members received promotions. Prof. Reid Locklin was promoted to full Professor. He teaches Christianity and the Intellectual Tradition at the University of Toronto, a joint appointment with St. Michael’s College and the Department for the Study of Religion. Prof. J.O. Richard has been made Associate Professor (teaching stream) in the Christianity & Culture program.
New Staff Members and Roles
Jonathan Au stepped in as the Interim Manager of Student Wellness. He is a registered social worker and psychotherapist with extensive experience—both in hospital settings and in post-secondary mental health services—developing and delivering therapeutic programs.
John Meehan SJ has begun his term as Interim Director of Mission and Ministry while current director Sonal Castelino prepares for her canonical novitiate year. Dr. Meehan is an historian and the former president of the Jesuits’ Campion College and of the University of Sudbury. A graduate of McGill, Oxford, and Johns Hopkins who holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, he is active in reconciliation work with Indigenous communities. He has worked in ministries with troubled youth in Mississippi, immigrants, prison inmates, and people with disabilities. He is also a Visiting Fellow at St. Michael’s and Senior Fellow at Massey College.
Dr. Gregory Rupik was named the inaugural Chief of Staff and University Secretary for the University of St. Michael’s College. Having served as Director, Office of the President and Secretary, his responsibilities have now expanded to include oversight of policy and protocol at St. Michael’s. As University Secretary, he will continue to serve as Secretary to the Collegium—the institutional governing body that safeguards the property, funds, and mission of the university—and will now also administratively support St. Michael’s Senate, the governing body responsible for academic and faculty-related matters. Read the announcement.
In the Registrar’s Office, Irene Krispis was appointed Associate Registrar, International Experience. In this role, she will engage specifically with the unique needs, expectations, and resources available to the diverse international and permanent resident student population of St. Michael’s College. She will also serve as a resource and advisor for international and domestic students who are planning on pursuing learning opportunities abroad.
Morteza Memari was promoted to Associate Registrar II in recognition his nearly 28 years serving in the Registrar’s Office where he performs a leading strategic and mentorship role.
Chancellor Frank Cardinal Leo Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
St. Michael’s Chancellor Frank Cardinal Leo was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Premier Doug Ford. The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023 and it is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation. The King Charles III Coronation Medal program recognizes 30 000 deserving individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Read ‘Frank Cardinal Leo Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal’.
The International Federation of Catholic Universities Conference
President Sylvester travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico to take part in The International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) conference this past month. The conference brought together international leaders in Catholic higher education to discuss the future of Catholic university education.
G20 Youth Summit
St. Mike’s alumna Ashwini Selvakumaran who was selected to represent Canada as one of the country’s six delegates at the 2025 G20 Youth Summit (Y20) in South Africa.
Ice Cream Truck
The Wellness Committee treated USMC staff and faculty with a mid-day break by planning for an ice cream truck to stop on campus—a perfect way to beat July’s heat.
New Issue of St. Michael’s Alumni Magazine
The latest issue includes delves into St. Mike’s relationship with our neighbours to the South during these tumultuous times and looks back fondly on Spring Reunion. Read the flipbook.
