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57-59 3/2/05 6:14 AM Page 58AlumniNotesILLUSTRATION: RUSS WILLMS; PHOTOGRAPHY: UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVESShake, Rattle and RollAnew series of alumni events – tailored to urban professionals whowant to meet up with old friends and network with new ones –kicked off in late November at Bruyea Brothers College Street bistroin Toronto. Shaker – as in movers and shakers – holds receptions at tonylounges and restaurants throughout Toronto. “Our first event had a greatvibe,” says Kyle Winters, acting director of alumni advancement at U of T.“A lot of alumni commented on the laid-back atmosphere and the superbvenue. I think it makes for a really great mix.” Organizers expected morethan 100 people to attend the March Shaker at Hotel Boutique Loungein Toronto’s Entertainment District. A range of hot spots are being consideredfor future events (the next is in late May). Visit www.alumni.utoronto.ca/shaker.htm for details.– Lisa RundleSpring ReunionWhy are puzzles – from crosswords toriddles to the Rubik’s cube – so pervasive,and what do they reveal aboutthe human imagination? Marcel Danesi,a professor of semiotics and linguisticanthropology at U of T, will decipherthe answers in a June 4 lecture at HartHouse, as part of Spring Reunion 2005.Danesi’s speech is one new event atthis year’s reunion, which runs from June2 to 5. All alumni are welcome at SpringReunion, but this year’s honoured classesare 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950,1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980.Many faculties and colleges are alsohonouring 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000.Three past presidents and theirwives – J. Robert S. Prichard and AnnWilson, George and Sheila Connell,and John and Gay Evans – will serveas co-chairs. Premier events includethe 50 th Anniversary Luncheon in thecircular dining room at 89 Chestnutresidence, the 25 th AnniversaryReception at U of T’s Faculty Club,and the Chancellor’s Circle MedalPresentations in Hart House’s GreatHall. New this year is a beer-tastingevent geared toward younger alumnithat will take place on June 2 atthe Steam Whistle brewery.To register, call (888) 738-8876 or(416) 978-0424 or visit www.springreunion.utoronto.ca.– L.R.KudosLt.-Col. John McCrae’sname will grace anexhibition gallery inOttawa’s CanadianWar Museum, whichMcCraeopens on May 8.McCrae (BA 1894 UC, MB 1898, MD1910) served as a surgeon with a brigadeof the Canadian Field Artillery in theFirst World War. In 1915, while waitingto treat casualties, he scribbled downthe now famous poem “In FlandersFields.” The McCrae Gallery will showcasepaintings from the museum’sextensive collection of war art.Architect Daniel Libeskind andeconomist Amartya Kumar Sen wererecognized with honorary degrees atUof T’s fall convocation. Libeskind, masterplanner for the World Trade Centersite in New York, and Sen, a Nobellaureate whose work has revolutionizedthe economics of poverty, receiveddoctors of law. Classical guitarist LionaBoyd (BMus Perf 1972), and theatredirector Robert Wilson were alsopresented with honorary degrees.Historian Jack Granatstein (MA1962) won the 10 th annual PierreBerton award for achievement in popularizingCanadian history, and KennethOppel (BA 1989 TRIN) picked up theGovernor General’s Award for children’sliterature for his novel Airborn. – L.R.58 UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO MAGAZINE