#TMUWrapped2023: Another year in review
It’s a wrap on 2023 – TorontoMet Today takes a moment to reflect back on this year’s milestones.
As we bid farewell to another eventful year, we’re taking a look back through the remarkable moments that have defined TMU in 2023. From student successes to research recognition, this year has been one for the books.
This year, we saw huge leaps forward:
- We chose the location and the dean for our new medical school, and the TMU Senate officially gave it the green light.
- We chose and named a new mascot, in keeping with our Next Chapter goals.
- We received the largest research grant to date.
- We participated in democracy in big ways.
As we reflect on these stories, we encourage the entire TMU community to celebrate the milestones achieved, embrace the challenges overcome and relish in the collective spirit of grit that is TMU.
Join us as we take a glimpse into the transformative year that was, propelling us forward into a promising 2024.
You'll find news on:
The School of Medicine | space for Black scholars | research accomplishments | new mascot | generative AI | well-being on campus | fostering democracy | first Law convocation | new degrees and honouring long-standing traditions | Forbes Diversity ranking | reconciliation work | President Lachemi making us proud
The School of Medicine is off and running
In a joint announcement with the City of Brampton and the Province of Ontario on January 27, TMU confirmed that the Bramalea Civic Centre in Brampton-Peel has been selected as the future site of its school of medicine. “We are committed to creating a school of medicine that will meet the diverse needs of the Brampton and Peel Region community and today, with a location secured, we are one step closer,” said TMU’s president and vice-chancellor, Mohamed Lachemi.
Full story: TMU announces location for future school of medicine
We also introduced the community to Dr. Teresa Chan, the founding dean of TMU’s School of Medicine.
Full story: Meet Dr. Teresa Chan, founding dean of TMU’s School of Medicine
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We made more space for Black scholars
As part of the university’s commitment to address faculty recommendations of the (PDF file) Anti-Black Racism Climate Review, the university launched TMU Post-Doctoral Fellowships for Black Scholars program. The program’s aim is to amplify Black and Afro-centric worldviews and build the capacities of Black scholars.
With the launch of the program, 2023 welcomed the inaugural four scholars, Joseph Adu, Teshager Kefale, Esa Dube Kerme and Ashley Jane.
Full story: Meet the scholars advancing Afro-centric research and Black scholarship at TMU
In April, TMU announced that it had received a prestigious $98.6 million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to lead a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary research initiative.The project will study immigration, integration and how technology can be leveraged in a time of social and economic transformation. It’s the single largest research grant TMU has received to date.
Full story: Massive immigration research team set to make waves in Canadian integration policy
In November, TMU also announced that Karen Soldatic will join the Faculty of Community Services as the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing for an eight-year, $8-million-dollar program.
Full story: TMU announces Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing
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We chose our new mascot
At our Homecoming game on September 22, the TMU community met Frankie B. Bold, TMU’s falcon mascot! Frankie was chosen after extensive community input. The falcon, known for the ability to collaborate - and their blue feathers - is the perfect symbol for the TMU Bold and the university. Frankie was the chosen name based on TMU community input. Photo credit: Josh Kim
Full story: Highlights from TMU’s historic homecoming game
When professors shared their concerns about how ChatGPT might impact learning and teaching, and students wondered what the parameters around use were, TMU’s Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) responded. The team has held many lunch and learns on generative AI and how to detect when it’s been used and how to establish parameters in your classroom.
Full story: In a world of AI generated content, what are students and professors to do?
With mental health and well-being coming into sharp focus as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, TMU made big strides in 2023 to address campus and community well-being. In the spring, TMU announced that plans were underway for the new Student Wellbeing Centre (a rendering of which is shared here) at TMU after students voted yes in a referendum last fall on a health and well-being fee to improve the quality, timeliness and level of well-being services students receive.
The building project is now underway, and it will bring many health and wellness initiatives to a purpose-built, central hub at the heart of campus. The centre will be an eight-storey tower at 137 Bond Street, the current location of O’Keefe House, and will house all health and well-being services under one roof.
Community well-being came into focus in a big way this year, and even got its own department. Lee Hodge, the new director of community wellbeing, shared more about the university’s plans:
Full story: TMU introduces holistic approach to well-being
Read more:
Why TMU students are excited about the Student Wellbeing Centre
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Fostering democratic values
Toronto Metropolitan University started a new School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation. The school serves as a hub for collaboration, research and public policy innovation
As a university that is deeply a part of the City of Toronto, TMU has been engaging with the city and our country’s democratic processes in deeper ways.
This year, TMU launched a home for its public policy experts, embedded within the Faculty of Arts.The new School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation draws on TMU’s strengths, including research excellence, policy expertise and community and industry collaboration, to deepen TMU’s public policy impact.
Full story: New School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation set to open at TMU
TMU also hosted the mayoral debates, and, after Mayor Olivia Chow’s win, she was welcomed back to campus for a democracy forum.
And thank you to all the TMU students for the great questions and turning out. It's always great to be back on campus. pic.twitter.com/LwnvEvlQpC
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) October 25, 2023
Full story: TMU to host Toronto mayoral debate
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The first-ever class of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law graduates
The Convocation ceremony featured performances by two prominent Canadian singer-songwriters – Jully Black and iskwē – and addresses from TMU President Mohamed Lachemi, Chancellor Janice Fukakusa and Honorary Doctorate recipient Kimberly Murray. Photo credit: Kenya-Jade Pinto.
TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law has seen its fair share of challenges, including launching its inaugural year during the beginning of the pandemic. But this ambitious school sent off its first round of graduates in style this spring.
Full story: Lincoln Alexander Law celebrates its inaugural Convocation
Read more: TMU's first law graduates leave a lasting legacy
2023 marked the first year of TMU degrees
To celebrate the first anniversary of the university’s new name and all the work that went into it, TorontoMet Today went behind the scenes to check out the first degrees with the new name, and to show the TMU community what goes into producing our degrees.
This year also marked the 60-year anniversary that Wayne Detcher, 81, has played the electronic carillon at TMU’s Convocation ceremonies.
Along with the name change, TMU has also implemented a range of strategies to build a more equitable workplace, earning it the top spot on Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity 2023. The ranking represents the top 150 organizations across the country promoting creative, diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. The university’s trailblazing Diversity Self-ID program has been recognized for supporting efforts to increase representation of equity-deserving groups and informing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) goals through engaged dialogue and a high-level of data transparency.
Pictured here are philosopher and activist Cornel West with Pamela Sugiman, Dean of Arts and Sharmaine McKenzie, executive director, strategic initiatives and operations at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Full story: Forbes ranks Toronto Metropolitan University top Canadian employer for diversity
Unfettered Access for our Grandchildren, a mural by Miranda Black, TMU alumna and Haudenosaunee visual artist, featured in the Active Learning Classroom.
This year, TMU marked two important anniversaries: five years since the the release of the university’s (PDF file) Truth and Reconciliation Community Consultation Report published by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI), and two years since the Standing Strong Task Force released their final report with 22 recommendations. TMU took the year to reflect back on the work that we’ve done to date, and remind ourselves that there is still much more to be done.
Full stories:
- Reflecting on two years of TMU’s Standing Strong Task Force Report
- Update on TMU’s path toward truth and reconciliation
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President Lachemi makes us proud
On September 17, President Mohamed Lachemi was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson, right, caught the pitch. The Jays went on to win 3-2 against the Boston Red Sox.
Not only did President Lachemi get to throw the first ceremonial pitch during a Toronto Blue Jays game this season, but he was also awarded the Order of Ontario in a special ceremony on November 27. The Order of Ontario recognizes exceptional leaders from all walks of life and diverse fields of endeavour, whose impact and lasting legacy have played an important role in building a stronger province, country and world.
Full story: TMU President Lachemi receives Order of Ontario
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