Celebrating U of T’s most dedicated volunteers

Chancellor Wes Hall and President Melanie Woodin pose with Arbor Award recipient Dawoon Chung (BCom ’12), who has mentored Rotman Commerce students since 2012.

Mentoring students at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Helping steer the university’s Defy Gravity campaign. Coaching U of T’s track and field athletes in competitive throwing events. Providing financial expertise and oversight to Victoria University’s Board of Regents. Engaging fellow alumni from the Faculty of Dentistry’s Class of ’73 in fundraising and social events. Overseeing Factor-Inwentash social work students in their work placements. 

These are just a few examples of the invaluable services provided by this year’s 109 recipients of an Arbor Award—U of T’s highest honour for volunteers. Befitting the institutional importance of volunteers at U of T, several leading members of the university community were on hand for the January 21st event, which was held at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning. 

President Melanie Woodin thanked the honourees for their outsized contributions and remarked on how volunteers often make a bigger, more lasting difference than they might realize. “Think for a moment of someone in your own life who stepped forward when it mattered,” said Woodin. “For so many of our students, you have been that person. Your guidance and generosity have shaped their university experience, making a profound impact in their life and deepening their connection to U of T.” 

As perhaps the university’s most high-profile volunteer, Chancellor Wes Hall noted how their collective efforts help set the university apart among global peers as a uniquely powerful engine of equity and opportunity. “U of T stands virtually alone in providing widespread access to a world-class education, with exceptional research opportunities and vibrant campus experiences for a population of well over 100-thousand students.” Hall said this excellence at scale is possible because of the immense volunteer effort that supports virtually every aspect of life at the university. 

The gathering was also an opportunity to celebrate the success of Defy Gravity, the university’s ambitious campaign to raise $4 billion for its highest priorities and involve 225,000 alumni in one million acts of engagement. David Palmer, vice president of advancement, reported that the campaign has been tremendously successful, surpassing 93 per cent of its engagement target and raising more than $2.6 billion toward its fundraising goal. “As Arbor Award winners, you have played a critical role in these achievements through your individual contributions and as role models for the entire U of T community,” said Palmer. 

Longtime U of T volunteer Som Seif, who among his many contributions currently serves as co-chair of the Defy Gravity campaign, recalled receiving his own Arbor Award and the impact of attending the presentation ceremony. “Hearing your accomplishments read alongside those of your peers gives you a whole new appreciation for the scale of our collective efforts and the incredible impact of volunteerism across this university.” 

Assistant Vice-President of Alumni Relations, Barbara Dick also touched on the theme of collective effort and the legacy of the Arbor Awards at U of T. “Over the past 37 years, recipients have included many of the most respected members of our university community, from business leaders, health professionals, athletes and philanthropists to artists, politicians, community activists and entrepreneurs,” said Dick. “We’re delighted to add to this distinguished cohort with this year’s exceptional honorees.”