Donors and student award winners gather at inaugural Arts Awards Celebration
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Faculty of Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) welcomed students from across its programs to celebrate their achievements, community impact, and academic success. The inaugural Awards Celebration honoured the generosity of donors whose contributions recognize and support the continued growth of students in the Arts.
Award donors and recipients in order from top left: Deangela Provo (left), Tanya Rumble (right); Martin Antony (left), Afifa Bukhari (middle), Velma Jagroop, Bay Branch Manager, Alterna Bank (right); Hsuan Syed (left); Nora Pope, Niece of William Henry Pope (right); Kiefer Robertson (left), Nora Pope (right); Leila Saleh (left), Jordan Le Roux (middle), Jamil Saleh (right); Jordan Le Roux (left), Jennifer Hubbard (right).
Photos by Hannah Withers.
At the event, eight award donors, 15 student award recipients, notable Arts leadership, and supporting faculty members, staff, family and friends were in attendance.
“I can think of no better way to begin the new year than by celebrating the exceptional achievements of our undergrad students today,” Amy Peng, Interim Dean of Arts, shared with pride. Award recipients gathered together, exchanged conversations with donors and shared their educational experiences. Students waited in anticipation to hear their names called and—for the first time—receive awards directly from the individuals who made them possible.
“We gather to recognize their academic excellence, their dedication to community involvement, and their commitment to making meaningful contributions,” continued Peng. “It is also an opportunity to celebrate the broader community that has inspired, encouraged, and supported the students along the way.” Award donors are an integral part of the TMU community—while often unseen—their contributions profoundly impact the lives of students who are working diligently to complete their degrees.
“We are grateful to our donors who have set up these awards that not only recognize academic excellence but truly help alleviate financial pressures on our students,” shared Anne-Marie Lee-Loy, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
“The students we recognize today embody the best qualities of an Arts education. They are curious, creative, disciplined, compassionate, and dedicated to positive change.”
During the ceremony, students were honoured for their leadership, academic excellence, generosity, and dedication to higher education. In addition to receiving financial support, award recipients were inspired by award donors’ personal and professional successes and their commitment to supporting the next generation of critical and creative thinkers.
Anne-Marie Lee-Loy, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies (top left); Amy Peng, Interim Dean of Arts (top right); student award winners and attendees (middle); Elisa Wreford (bottom left); volunteers from the Society of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (SASSH) (bottom right).
Photos by Hannah Withers.
Alterna Prize for Women Social Change Leaders
This award was donated by Alterna Savings to support female students in the Faculty of Arts who have demonstrated social change leadership at Toronto Metropolitan University or in their community.
Donor: Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited
Recipient: Afifa Bukhari (Psychology)
Carla Cassidy Award
The Carla Cassidy Award recognizes an eligible fourth-year student enrolled in a full-time Arts program with the highest CGPA through 6 semesters of study.
Donor: Dr. Carla Cassidy
Recipients: Jordan Le Roux (History); Ciboney Pennyman (Language & Intercultural Relations)
Award for Social Justice Engagement
Students from this award have shown how they have overcome adversity to pursue public education and demonstrate a commitment to social justice.
Donor: Dr. Ken Moffat
Recipient: Deangela Provo (Child and Youth Care)
Global Exchange Award
The Global Exchange Award provides two annual awards of $2,000 each to Faculty of Arts students to assist in paying for a learning exchange opportunity.
Donor: Dr. Kathleen Kellett
Recipients: Zahra Yassiri (Language and Intercultural Relations); Agalyaa Sivaram (Politics and Governance)
Sonia Marryshow Black Scholar Award
This award is intended to celebrate Black women in higher education.
Donor: Bianca Marryshow
Recipient: Donielle Johnson (Psychology)
Strength of a Woman Caribbean Student Award
The Donor seeks to recognize a first-year female student in the Faculty of Arts who is of Caribbean heritage.
Donor: Salisha Randal
Recipient: Ely Christopher (Environment and Urban Sustainability)
William Henry Pope International Economics Award and Scholarship
The scholarship is to recognize a full-time student who has completed the third year of study in Toronto Metropolitan’s International Economics Program with the highest cumulative grade point average.
Donor: Family of William Henry Pope
Recipients: Hsuan Syed; Kiefer Robertson (Economics and Finance)
Kindness Award
The Kindness Fund has been created with gifts from family and friends of the Kassam and Saleh families to honour the memory and life of Jehangir Saleh. It intends to support undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts at TMU who display their community spirit through unconditional random acts of kindness.
Donor: Family and friends of the Kassam and Saleh families
Recipients: Ashlie Wilson (Sociology); Nooh Kamaluddin (Geographic Analysis); Anna Skendos (English); Jordan Le Roux (History); James Southey (Environment and Urban Sustainability)
