Fall 2011 - University of Toronto Schools

Advancement ReportPlus ça Change...The generosity of alumni, parents, staff, and friends enables many students to attend the school.“What follows primary,secondary, and tertiary?And did you knowthat no word exists relating to the numbereleven – but that there is one thatrelates to the number twelve: duodenary?”These questions were exploredin June by a UTS class and exemplifywhat I fondly call a quintessential “UTSMoment”.Lest youthink that it wasa class of currentstudents, I mustdisclose that thiswas the UTS Classof 1961 who cameback to UTS inMartha DrakeExecutive Director,advancementJune to celebratetheir 50th year ofgraduation. But iteasily could havebeen a discussion overheard from thisyear’s students. That intellectual sparkwithin a UTS student is ever-presentin a UTS alumnus, and it is rightfully apoint of pride within our community.This exchange got me thinkingabout aspects of the UTS experiencethat have stood the test of time. Thelife-altering and lasting impact of aUTS education, the lifelong friendshipsand the generosity of our communityimmediately come to mind.How many generations of UTSstudents have benefitted from thesupport of previous generations ofalumni, teachers, parents, and friends?Together, we have helped make UTSwhat it is today. The Class of 1961established a bursary as their legacyto UTS to commemorate their Goldenanniversary; this bursary will providefinancial assistance tofuture generations ofUTS students in perpetuity.In turn, this year’sstudent body, 19% ofwhom received bursarysupport, volunteered andraised funds for manyworthwhile charities –including UTS. The proceeds fromthis year’s student-run “Show” weredesignated to the UTS general bursaryfund because our students understandthe need to keep UTS as accessible aspossible.Our earliest scholarships wereestablished not long after the doorsof UTS opened and they have aidedstudents for nearly 100 years. TheDr. T. M. Porter Scholarships wereoriginally presented in 1919 by Dr.Tommy Porter, the original Masterof the Junior School, in memory ofgraduates who were killed in WorldWar I. The scholarships were furtherenhanced in 1930 by the estate ofThat intellectualspark within aUTS student isever-present ina UTS alumnus.Make a difference todayfor tomorrow’s students...If you would like to designate a specific bequestto UTS or receive information on planned giving,please contact:Martha Drake, Executive Director, Advancementat 416-946-0097, or mdrake@utschools.ca....and leave your mark on UTS’ future!a grateful parent. Today, the Porteris one of our most generous awardsand over the decades,hundreds of studentshave been honoured asrecipients. Without thebursaries and scholarshipsestablished by caringdonors, many UTSalumni would not havebeen able to attend theschool – and we would not be able tosupport the transformative educationthat is UTS at its core.This year’s annual report on donorslists the names of 680 members of theUTS community who have made UTStheir philanthropic priority through acurrent or a planned gift to benefit theschool. There is a story behind eachand every donation, and whatever yourmotivation, I want to thank you for yourinvestment in UTS’ future.When it comes to alumni generosity,the more things change, the morethey stay the same. And, thank goodnessfor that! l Rfa l l 2011 | t h e u t s a l u m n i m a g a z i n e : the root 13