7 MB - University of Toronto Magazine

All about AlumniThe Two of usTuan Nguyenand Richard Binghamtop photo: Courtesy of riChard BinghaM and tuan nguyen, BottoM photo: queenstreetweB.CoMTuan nguyen and Richard Bingham both love the water, soit’s not surprising that they met while swimming at the AthleticCentre. Twenty-six years later, U of T is still a big partof their lives. “We exercise here, and it’s our intellectual andcultural centre,” says Richard (BA 1976 VIC, MLS 1980),who runs a language school not far from the St. GeorgeCampus. Tuan (BSc 1987 VIC) is a research analyst with theCentre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.Tuan: I left Vietnam in a boat with an older brother and sister.I was 15 and all I had was a pair of shorts. On the South ChinaSea, we ran into pirates and storms. People were dying. It wassuch a shock for me, and as soon as we got on land I sworethat I would never set foot in a boat again.But in the summer after I met Richard, he took me on acamping trip in Georgian Bay in a 15-foot open boat. Everythingwas fine until, a couple of days in, we ran into a storm.We made a wrong turn, the boat hit a rock and everythingflashed back. I almost had a nervous breakdown. Richardstopped the boat, set up the tent, heated up some mushroomsoup and opened a can of pineapple and some ham. Rightthen I knew he was my captain, my matelot. I knew that Icould trust him with my heart.Richard: Tuan’s father is a goldsmith in Vietnam. He hadmade wedding rings for each of his 10 children, except Tuan.Tuan Nguyen (left) and Richard Bingham onSplit Rock Island in Georgian Bay, OntarioOne day a few months after gay marriage became legal inCanada, Tuan and his father had dinner together. His fathertold Tuan he would consider it a great honour if he couldmake wedding rings for us. Tuan and I had never even talkedabout getting married. But once it came up we said, “Sure,why not?” His father performed a Confucian ceremony at thefamily home. We had one witness from my side and one witnessfrom Tuan’s side. We didn’t think much about theactual event; it just seemed like, “tomorrow we’ll go shopping,then we’ll get married.” In the end, though, it was quiteemotional for us.I love Tuan because he is committed to resolving any issuesso we can always live in harmony. His Buddhism has beenmy enlightenment in many ways.We met when he was 20 and I was 30. We grew up,and experienced so much, together; I think that’s why westay together.Soldiers’ Tower honours u of t communitymembers who died in the first and second worldwars. today, exhibits inside the tower includeartifacts and memorabilia from subsequentconflicts and peacekeeping missions.Completed in 1924, the tower has beenbattered over time by the elements. to return thestructure to its former glory, repairs of $1.8 millionare needed. scaffolding was erected for thesummer – and will be put up for the next threesummers – to allow for renovations. the scaffoldingwill be taken down each year in time forremembrance day ceremonies.soldiers’ tower Committee raised about$400,000 for the first phase of renovations, thanksto a significant gift from Blake goldring and otherdonations from alumni and friends – which wasthen matched by u of t. the second phase ofrenovations will cost $1 million. to contribute,please contact Kathy parks at soldiers.tower@utoronto.ca or (416) 978-0544. – Suzanna Changautumn 2010 49