l solution

From
Free Money Planner Offer
Sign up for our free investment
e-newsletter, The ViewPoint, and you
will receive a free copy of Investment
Executive’s Money Planner. †
www.clearsight.ca/ryerson/offer
Promo code: 04A0108MP
Good...to Great
Clearsight and Wellington West join forces
† Offer available until March 31, 2008 or while quantities last. Some conditions apply. Offer subject to change.
Together:
Visit clearsight.ca/ryerson/offer
1 (877) 464-6104
We’re Canada’s #1 ranked brokerage
For the fourth year in a row, Wellington West has been
ranked #1 in Investment Executive’s Annual Brokerage
Report Card and #1 in Report on Business Magazine’s
annual list of The 50 Best Employers in Canada.
We’re one of the fastest growing
With more than 40,000 client accounts and $9.4 billion
in assets under administration, Wellington West is one of
Canada’s fastest growing investment fi rms.
We’re NOW accessible across Canada
With more than 100 experienced advisors located in 29
branches across Canada, we’re now able to accommodate
the investment needs and account sizes of all alumni.
We’re the market leader in affi nity
benefi t programs
With a growing list of affi nity partners, we’re now
endorsed by more than 22 leading institutions
representing more than 2 million alumni.
Contact us today to learn more about the Clearsight Investment
Program from Wellington West. Find out how the strength of
two can make your fi nancial picture look great in 2008.
The Clearsight Investment Program Program is delivered by by the advisors of Wellington West Capital Inc., member of the Investment Dealers Association and Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the advisors of Wellington
West Financial Services Inc., member of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association.
Ryerson University’s Alumni magazine
is published twice a year for alumni
and friends by the Office of University
Advancement. Reproduction, republi-
cation or distribution of content and
photographs is strictly prohibited without
prior written permission of the Editor.
Vice-President: Adam B. Kahan
Executive Editor: Bruce Piercey
Associate Editor: Andy Lee
Design: Bruce McDonald
Photography: Dario Ruberto, Dave Upham
© 2008 Ryerson University
ISSN: 1713-627X, Published January 2008
Contact:
Alumni magazine
Office of University Advancement
Ryerson University
350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON
CANADA M5B 2K3
Phone: 416-979-5000 ext. 7000
Fax: 416-979-5166
E-mail: ryemag@ryerson.ca
Web: ryerson.ca/alumni
Member
Council of Ontario Universities (COU),
Association of Universities and Colleges
of Canada (AUCC), and Association of
Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Publications Agreement Number
40065112
Privacy policy:
Ryerson University respects your privacy. On graduation,
Ryerson will continue to hold your contact and certain
other information so that we can contact alumni
from time to time to offer the benefits of our affinity
programs, to provide information about social, career
and educational programs, to allow alumni to keep
current on university developments, alumni associations,
events and programs and Alumni Achievement Awards,
and to facilitate alumni participation in Ryerson
University alumni activities. Ryerson discloses your
personal contact information to outside organizations
or agencies, such as mailing houses or telephone services,
to enable them to contact alumni on behalf of Ryerson
and its affinity partners but ensures it has entered
into confidentiality agreements with those outside
organizations so that alumni personal information is
kept confidential. Ryerson does not rent, trade or sell
its mailing or telephone lists.
How would you like Ryerson to communicate with
you? In addition to Alumni magazine, the university
periodically contacts alumni by phone or mail about
affinity programs and/or fundraising initiatives. If you
would like us to refrain from contacting you about any of
these matters and/or discontinue your free subscription
to the magazine, please e-mail your preferences to
aluminfo@ryerson.ca. Alternatively, please call
1-866-428-8881 or write to Alumni Records, Office
of University Advancement, Ryerson University, 350
Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5B 2K3. Please
include your name and address on all correspondence so
we can properly process your request.
Also see “Privacy of Personal Information:”
ryerson.ca/studentguide/Introduction2.html
Photo credit: Mark Blinch, Image Arts ’06
Graduate Studies have arrived
ALUMNI magazine
WINTER 2008
In this issue
Departments
3 President’s message
4 What’s new
19 Ryerson people in the news
21 Research impact
26 VP viewpoint/Alumni diary
33 Working for the good of Ryerson
35 Alumnews
44 Remember when?
12
FeatUres
12 Taking it to the next level
Ryerson offers graduate degrees with a difference
20 Not your typical Arts degree
First hundred graduates of new program are
making their mark
22 Harbinger of hope
A rare sight in Afghanistan, working woman
inspires orphan girls
23 The psychology of street life
Homeless youth energetic and hopeful,
study finds
23 Playing the learning game
Early Childhood graduate sparks a love of
science in children
24 Ryerson, via Regent Park
Remarkable program gives young residents of
Canada’s largest public housing complex a handup
and a chance to succeed
25 Walking the ribbon
Engineer works to minimize impact of new roads
on B.C.’s wildlife and water
25 Going off the grid
Ryerson team designing homes that will generate
all their own heat and light
32 Unwritten rules of the workplace
Training new Canadians on the dos and don’ts of
on-the-job communication
On THe COVeR
10 19
22
Graduate Studies
mark new era
Unless you are one of our most recent grads, it’s quite
likely that the Ryerson you remember is significantly
different from the Ryerson of 2008. Case in point:
our cover feature on graduate programs. In 2000,
Ryerson offered its first master’s programs. Now, as
you’ll read in this issue, grad programs are an integral
part of the University, with impressive numbers of
students and a broad range of academic offerings,
from Documentary Media to Molecular Science – and
another 25 programs in between. In just eight years,
Ryerson has transformed itself yet again.
Elsewhere in Alumni magazine, we feature grads such as
Jadzia Karas, who spent six months in Afghanistan with
the Canadian Forces and left an indelible impression
on local orphan girls. We also profile Naila Ramdewar,
one of the first grads from the groundbreaking Arts and
Contemporary Studies program.
Finally, a couple of notes about the people who create
this publication. Dana Yates has left the editor’s post
to take up a freelance career, and you’ll see her byline
in the magazine in that new role. Thanks to Dana for
her outstanding leadership on the magazine, and we
wish her all the best for the future. Thanks also to my
colleagues Andy Lee and Nancy Snow for their ongoing
great work in putting out
a first-class publication.
I am pleased to tell you
that our new editor
is Colleen Mellor,
Journalism ’86. You’ll
hear more from Colleen
in the next issue.
Bruce Piercey,
Journalism ’82
Cert no. SW-COC-1506
Executive Editor
Hossein Rahnama is a Computer Engineering
PhD candidate whose social networking
software for mobile phones is getting
attention, just like the rapid growth of
graduate programs at Ryerson. Learn more
on page 15.
Cover photo by Mark Blinch, Image Arts ’06.
44

2 Planning ahead
President’s message 3
You can make a difference!
Contribute to the Ryerson Annual Fund today.
We know your Ryerson education made a difference in
your success. And now we’d like you to make a difference in
the aspirations of many Ryerson students by making a gift to
the Ryerson Annual Fund today.
More than anybody, you know how a Ryerson education can
contribute to a student’s future success. That’s why we‘re asking
for your support today, because your gift will make a difference
in their tomorrow.
Take a couple of minutes and visit
www.ryerson.ca/supporting/annualfund
to see and hear how our alumni are helping today’s Ryerson
students make a difference.
To make a gift to the Ryerson Annual Fund call
1-866-428-8881 or 416-979-5000 ext. 6516 or visit
www.ryerson.ca/supporting/annualfund.
AnnuAl
Fund
Feeding the demand
Graduate Studies have taken off, and the whole university benefits
By President Sheldon Levy
A wonderful thing happened at the welcome
reception for graduate students this fall – we ran
out of food.
We knew the quality of our applicants was high,
and our enrolments were very strong. Demand
for places in graduate programs at Ryerson has
been very competitive, and there has been intense
interest in the advanced learning opportunities
being offered.
But as I walked around the reception, meeting and
talking to students, it was not about the numbers at
all. There were students from so many different academic
backgrounds, and many different countries.
What they had in common was the delight and
enthusiasm of being at Ryerson University for their
master’s and PhD study.
In the pages of this issue, our goal is to bring you
up to date on the growth of Graduate Studies
at Ryerson. This year, we are proud to welcome
1,600 graduate students to our University, up from
1,000 in fall 2006. Graduate students now represent
about 6.5 per cent of our total student body.
At most Ontario universities – except the Universi-
ty of Toronto, where the ratio is higher – the graduate
population is about 7 to 11 per cent of the total.
So Ryerson is joining the ranks of major graduate
schools in the province.
With nine new graduate programs coming on
stream in fall 2007, Ryerson offers a total of 27
graduate programs, including seven at the PhD
level. The pace of this development is nothing short
of spectacular. The leadership of Dr. Maurice Yeates,
Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and the tremendous
dedication of department Chairs, faculty,
staff and students, combine to create a milestone in
Ryerson history.
The best part is that the value of a Ryerson education
continues to rise. The effect of graduate expansion
at Ryerson extends far beyond Graduate Studies itself.
All proposals for new graduate programs must
be reviewed by the Ontario Council on Graduate
Studies (OCGS), and Ryerson is consistently receiving
outstanding responses to its submissions. Our
faculty members are attracting increasing attention
for teaching excellence, compelling scholarship and
professional leadership. Our graduate students are
President Sheldon Levy at the orientation for new Master of Nursing students.
winning prizes, and making names for themselves
– and for Ryerson.
Undergraduates also derive the benefit. Graduate
students are teaching assistants and mentors, and
some will be the professors of tomorrow. The option
of graduate study attracts undergraduates interested
in the possibilities beyond their first degree.
Opportunities for career choices are expanded, as
employers are increasingly considering educational
attainment in making hiring decisions.
This is a landmark development for Ryerson, but
one thing remains constant. As you read these impressive
stories, you will see that these changes are
still inspired by the vision that has guided Ryerson
since the beginning. Graduate Studies programs are
a reflection of the Ryerson mission and strengths.
We continue to be responsive to the realities of our
environment: to current issues, the needs of people,
and bringing creativity and progress to the world.
I am looking forward to meeting with our graduate
students again, and have promised to host a midyear
event to get an update on how things are going.
And to make sure they all get enough to eat.

4 What’s new
What’s new
By Andy Lee, Antoinette Mercurio, Suelan Toye and Christine Ward
DIANE FRANCIS AND GERARD KENNEDY NAMED DISTINGUISHED VISITING PROFESSORS
Diane Francis and Gerard Kennedy have been appointed
to one-year terms as Distinguished Visiting Professors at
Ryerson. Francis is the editor-at-large for the National Post,
the author of eight best-selling books and a regular radio
commentator. Kennedy is the former Ontario Minister of
Education, a past federal Liberal leadership candidate and
former executive director of the Daily Bread Food Bank.
During her year at Ryerson, Francis will present a lecture
each term, deliver a writing seminar to business students
and lecture on “Blogging and Business.” She will publish a
research paper under the banner of the Ted Rogers School
of Management and will lecture on “Social Responsibility
and Entrepreneurship.”
“I don’t consider myself a journalist who covers business,
but rather a businessperson who delivers insight through
journalism,” said Francis. “I’m looking forward to sharing
my experience and views in the classroom and engaging
students.”
Kennedy will deliver a series of lectures to graduate and
undergraduate management students on topics such as
entrepreneurship, enterprise culture and corporate social
responsibility. He will also undertake research activities
related to the potential role of an enterprise culture in
bringing business and political solutions to Canada’s new
economy.
“Ryerson is the problem-solving university, renowned
worldwide for bringing real-world experience and firstclass
innovation to the classroom,” said Kennedy. “I
am very excited to work with the Ted Rogers School of
Management faculty and students who already know a lot
about how to combine learning with accomplishment.”
Diane Francis
Gerard Kennedy
STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM SUPPORT OF TED AND LORETTA ROGERS
President Sheldon Levy (right), and Loretta
and Ted Rogers, at the announcement of the
Rogers’ transformational gift to Ryerson.
Ted and Loretta Rogers, great Toronto philanthropists
and long-time supporters of Ryerson,
have made a transformational gift of $15 million
to the University that will make a dramatic difference
in the lives of students.
The gift is directed towards the Faculty of
Business, which in recognition has been renamed
the Ted Rogers School of Management. Ted and
Loretta Rogers’ personal endorsement and support
mark a milestone for management education
at Ryerson.
The gift is a tremendous vote of confidence
in Ryerson’s undergraduate and graduate programs,
the University’s growing scholarship,
research and creative activity, and our outstanding
students and faculty.
The Rogers’ generosity and leadership will
greatly enhance accessibility and the quality of
the student experience. The majority of the gift
is being used to establish 52 new undergraduate
and graduate student awards and scholarships,
including 18 MBA entrance awards valued at
$20,000 each. The scholarships will be matched
by Ryerson to provide greater accessibility and
to support as many students as possible.
Here’s how the funding will be distributed:
• 13 undergraduate entrance scholarships
• 10 MBA entrance awards
• 1 undergraduate business leadership award
• 4 undergraduate entrance awards
• 8 MBA entrance scholarships
• 16 undergraduate continuing awards
What’s new 5
In addition to $8 million to endow the 52 awards,
the donation also includes:
• $2 million to endow the new Loretta Rogers
Research Chair. The Chair will seed academic
initiatives that will attract outstanding faculty
and create centres of excellence in management
research.
• $5 million towards the capital cost of the new
Ted Rogers School of Management building.
“We are thrilled to support Ryerson’s management
school,” said Ted Rogers, President
and CEO, Rogers Communications, when he
announced the gift. “It is our pleasure to support
the Ryerson management school and its students
to help ensure even greater accessibility for many
of Canada’s business leaders of tomorrow.”

6 What’s new What’s new 7
NINE ALUMNI INDUCTED INTO WALL OF ACHIEVEMENT
The 2007 Alumni Achievement Award recipients. From top left: Tony Gagliano, Business Management ’80; Tyler Forkes, Executive Director, Alumni
Relations; Sheri Cohen, Social Work ’96; Sundeep Mokha, Information Technology Management ’05; Lee Liu, ITM ’06; Andy Lai, ITM ’05;
Chris Nguyen, ITM ’05; front row: President Sheldon Levy; Tania Bortolotto, Architectural Science ’90; Jenny Gumbs, Public Administration ’02;
Bryan Cantley, Journalism ’69; and Adam B. Kahan, Vice-President, University Advancement.
Nine outstanding alumni were inducted into the
Ryerson Wall of Achievement during Alumni
Weekend festivities in September.
Established in 1998, the Alumni Achievement
Awards honour graduates who have not
only excelled in their respective careers,
but have made a significant contribution to
their profession, their community and their
country. The 2007 recipients were awardwinning
architect and interior designer
Tania Bortolotto, Architectural Science ’90;
Bryan Cantley, Journalism ’69, founding
member of the Ryerson Journalism Alumni
Association and its popular annual writer’s
workshop, Wordstock; Sheri Cohen, Social
Work ’96, Executive Director of the Adult
Learning Disabilities Employment Resource
(ALDER) Centre; Tony Gagliano, Business
Management ’80, Executive Chairman and
CEO of St. Joseph Communications, recognized
as one of Canada’s 50 best managed
companies; and Jenny Gumbs, Public
Administration ’02, Honorary Consul General
for Grenada in Toronto.
The Isadore Sharp Outstanding Recent Graduate
Award was bestowed upon Chris Nguyen,
Information Technology Management ’05;
Sundeep Mokha, ITM ’05; Andy Lai, ITM ’05
and Lee Liu, ITM ’06, founders of JobLoft.com.
In 2005, while still students at Ryerson, Chris,
Sundeep, Andy and Lee received a $15,000 loan
from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation
to pursue their JobLoft.com idea, a new and
innovative jobsite specializing in the retail,
food services and hospitality industries. Within
a year, JobLoft had posted over 20,000 jobs
from top employers across Canada, and media
around the country had reported on its inventive
approach to recruitment. In 2006, the foursome
were featured winners of the CBC venture
capital reality television show Dragon’s Den.
The induction ceremony was hosted by Global
TV broadcaster Zuraidah Alman, Journalism
’93. The awards were presented by President
Sheldon Levy and Adam B. Kahan, Vice-
President, University Advancement.
Ronald “Ernie” Alexander: 1927-2007.
ERNIE, A CAMPUS ICON
One of Ryerson’s best-known characters, Ernie the
hot dog man, passed away in November at the age
of 80. A fixture at the corner of Victoria and Gould
Streets since 1981, Ernie was known to thousands
of alumni and leaves a legacy of support for needy
students. A bursary fund of $27,000 was built from
Ernie’s annual donations of a full day of hot dog
sales and matching assistance from the provincial
government.
Ernie retired from the hot dog business in 2006, and
was always an intriguing and somewhat mysterious
figure on the University’s campus. Generations
of campus media reporters tried to uncover his life
story, but Ernie was tight-lipped and it wasn’t until
relatively recently that Ernie’s past – a career in
fibre optics and a degree in electrical engineering –
became widely known. His real name was Ronald
Keith Alexander, and he was a father of four and
grandfather of two who fled the corporate world to
run a hot dog stand. Recently, a group of Ryerson
professors performed a musical based on his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations
be made to Ernie’s Bursary Fund at Ryerson,
by phoning 416-979-5000, ext. 6516 or by visiting
www.ryerson.ca/supporting/annualfund.
futures
investin
Let your legacy build a better future by including Ryerson
in your estate plans. Leave a legacy to Ryerson.
Tel: 416-979-5000, ext. 7922 E-mail: plangift@ryerson.ca
RYERSON APPOINTS FIRST POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS AND RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Twenty-four post-doctoral fellows and research associates will join Ryerson for a year-long appointment.
Pictured above are 11 of the talented researchers who will be on campus this year. Back row, left to right:
Julianne Kus, Karthikeyan Umapathy, Suzanne Zelazo, Supratim Ghosh, Mehmet Nafiz Aydin, Yugang Liu.
Front row, left to right: Maria Karam, Yifeng He, Janice Kaye, Ozlem Guclu-Ustundag, Sophie Lun Sin.
Twenty-four outstanding new researchers and distinguished
practitioners have been appointed as
Ryerson’s first post-doctoral fellows and research
associates. The year-long appointments represent
a major step forward in Ryerson achieving
its research goals and are funded by a four-year,
$3-million program to strengthen the University’s
research capacity.
“This is a big boost for Research and Innovation
at Ryerson,” says Vice-President, Research and
Innovation Anastasios (Tas) Venetsanopoulos.
“Within key areas of existing and emerging expertise,
we’ve attracted some of the world’s most
promising young scholars.”
Over the past 10 years, Ryerson’s research program
has grown an unprecedented 326 per cent,
from $3.8 million in external funding in 1997 to
$16.2 million in 2007. The University gained a 32
per cent increase in funding last year alone.
“ We’ re t h e o n e s t o w a t c h ,” s a y s D r.
Venetsanopoulos. “Research and Innovation are
on the fast-track here. We’re continuing to build
on the momentum we’ve established that Ryerson
is the place to come for practical answers to difficult
problems.”
Selected from among 118 applicants from across
Canada, the United States and as far away as
France and China, the 24 new recruits include
both distinguished practitioners and post-doctoral
fellows embarking upon the first, important phase
of independent research following a PhD. In fields
ranging from psychology and human resource
management, to metallurgical engineering and
photography, each has been awarded a one-year
appointment worth $50,000, with eligibility for
renewal for up to two additional years.
Another 16 post-doctoral fellows and research
associates are expected to join the University in
2008 and 2009. Innovative funding programs are
now underway to strengthen interdisciplinary
research and create opportunities for collaborative
projects with researchers around the world.

8 What’s new What’s new 9
A historic moment for Ryerson - the first meeting of the University’s Senate. Recent changes to the Ryerson University Act included the renaming of
Ryerson’s academic policy-making body from Academic Council to Senate. The new name reflects modern university governance and is in line with
other Ontario universities. The 51-member Senate is chaired by the president and is made up of students, faculty, librarians, administrators and alumni.
Visit ryerson.ca/senate for more.
RYERSON UNIVERSITY | STAR AD
22 X 5.5 | FULL COLOUR | SEPT 24/07
As part of the University’s strategy to enhance Ryerson’s growing reputation and profile, this distinctive ad introducing members of the University’s Board of Governors
appeared in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and National Post. Designed by Ryerson’s Marketing and Communications department, the ad was created by photographing
members of the Board in small groups and assembling the final product by computer. For more about the Board, visit ryerson.ca/about/governors.
ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
ACCREDITED BY NATIONAL BODY
Ryerson’s seven Engineering programs have
once again been accredited by the Canadian
Engineering Accreditation Board, the national
body that evaluates undergraduate programs in
the profession.
“This is quite an achievement and reflects the top
quality engineering education that Ryerson has
to offer,” said Stalin Boctor, Dean of the Faculty
of Engineering, Architecture and Science. “It’s
not an easy process and required countless hours
of preparation, planning and management but it
was well worth it.”
The Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and
Mechanical Engineering programs earned
accreditation for six years, the highest level possible.
The Industrial and Computer Engineering
programs earned a three-year accreditation (with
a report), rounding out the accomplishment.
The accreditation renewal means that Engineering
graduates have the academic requirements
necessary for registration as professional
engineers in Canada – a status held since 1991.
APPLICATIONS UP 20 PER CENT,
FOCUS REMAINS ON QUALITY
As demand for undergraduate education
increases in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA),
Ryerson continues to be a popular choice among
prospective students. Last year, Ryerson led the
university system in first-choice undergraduate
applications from secondary school students,
with a 20 per cent increase compared to 5 per
cent overall for the province.
The number of graduate students also rose 42
per cent to about 1,600 from 1,000 in fall 2006.
Nine new graduate programs bring the total now
offered to 27, including seven at the PhD level.
As the media has reported, Ryerson and other
GTA universities have expressed concern about
the impending rise in demand, and the discussion
of possible strategic solutions is ongoing.
Nonetheless, Ryerson is committed to providing
quality education.
“While it is gratifying to experience exceptional
application rates, the size of our undergraduate
entering class will reflect our decision to hold the
line on admissions – and therefore turn away
students,” says President Sheldon Levy. “These
are hard choices to make, but keeping our focus
on program quality for students is the right
thing to do.”
ENDOWMENT REACHES $61M
The Ryerson University endowment, which provides support
largely for student scholarships, awards and bursaries,
has reached a record $61 million.
Endowments are permanent sources of income, typically
provided by private donors and sometimes matched by government.
Annual interest from the endowment fund generates
$2.7 million to support designated university activities.
From $10 million in 2000, the Ryerson endowment doubled
to $20 million in 2003. In the past four years, the endowment
has tripled in size due to the success of fundraising
initiatives, investment and $8 million in matching funding
from the provincial government’s Ontario Trust for Student
Support. Twice, Ryerson fundraising efforts surpassed the
trust’s $1.2-million matching ceiling, garnering additional
funding in secondary distribution rounds.
“This tremendous accomplishment would not have been
possible without the generous support of our donors, who
believe strongly in our faculty and students,” says Adam
B. Kahan, Vice-President, University Advancement. “The
endowment promotes academic excellence by attracting the
best and brightest minds to Ryerson.”
The endowment breakdown is as follows:
• $47 million for student scholarships,
awards and bursaries
• $11.5 million for six research chairs
• $2.5 million for other academic programs
“Our endowment has been growing dramatically in the past
few years, faster than most established universities,” says
Janice Winton, Executive Director of Financial Services.

10 What’s new
What’s new 11
STUDENT WINS INAUGURAL
HISTORY TRAVEL AWARD
Julian Reid, Arts and Contemporary Studies ’07,
traveled and studied in Europe for one month last
summer thanks to a unique student travel award
established by History Professor Arne Kislenko.
Last summer, Julian Reid, Arts and Contemporary
Studies ’07, attended a university in Berlin and toured
Europe thanks to the Department of History’s inaugural
History Travel Award. The scholarship
was established by History Professor Arne Kislenko
with seed funding from a $10,000 TD Meloche
Monnex scholarship, awarded to Ryerson when he
won TVOntario’s first Best Lecturer Competition in
November 2005.
“This award is not only about recognizing student
academic achievement; it was created to encourage
Ryerson students to explore the world and further
their curiosity in it,” says Professor Kislenko. “The
challenges of travel give students an appreciation
of global diversity, and, at the same time, serve to
increase their self-confidence and independence.”
Julian, who specialized in global studies, spent a
month in Berlin studying history through the Freie
Universität Berlin International Summer University
program. The $6,500 award covered his tuition,
accommodation and part of his travel expenses.
Julian received an independent study credit.
“Traveling is a wonderful experience but you often
have the sense you’re simply passing through places
without time to get to know them at a deeper level,”
says Julian. “With this award I got the best of both
worlds: being able to study in an international program
with students from all over the world and travel
through several countries in Europe.”
Tanya King-Maracle, Public Administration and Governance ’07, with daughter B’Elanna
and son Blake, received a Ryerson Gold Medal at spring convocation for academic excellence
and extracurricular achievement. The recipient of a Dennis Mock Student Leadership Award,
King-Maracle maintained a 3.96 grade point average and served as a tutor-mentor to students
across Ontario. She also volunteers with the Quinte Mohawk School, the Napanee Minor Hockey
Initiation Program and the Tyendinaga Museum Committee.
Over 250 Photography, Film and New Media students displayed their exceptional talents at the 12th
annual Maximum Exposure, a four-day exhibition hosted by the School of Image Arts. Works included
portraiture, photojournalism, collage, mechanical construction, digital installation, film and video.
Talia Shipman, Image Arts ’07, won Best in Show for her series, “Exodus: The Ten Plagues” (above).
Photo credit: Jason Nolan, Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education.
The Ryerson community broke the Guinness world record for the largest dance class during Orientation Week. A total of 663 students, faculty and staff jazz-danced
their way into history at Yonge-Dundas Square, led by 40 Theatre School students. The previous record of 580 was set by a U.K. comedy troupe in March 2007.
Ode to the Porcelain Gods, an outdoor art installation on Lake Devo from Ryerson’s Light Up
the Night exhibition, part of Nuit Blanche festivities in September.

12 Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies 13
We attract creative thinkers, students who are
Taking
to
it
the next level
“
”
“
”
“
Our students come with good grades
and GMAT scores, but we also look for
solid work experience, and diversity
in backgrounds and experience.
We want students who are highly
motivated, hard-working and creative,
with the qualities that will make
”
them the leaders of tomorrow.
Wendy Cukier, program director
Master of Business Administration (MBA),
Master of Business Administration (MBA) and
Master of Management Science (MMSc) in the
Management of Technology and Innovation
Ryerson offers graduate degrees
with a difference
We select students who are not only
highly motivated, but also well versed
in theoretical debates surrounding the
recent surge of interest in documentary
forms. In addition, we require a high level
of technical skills from our candidates.
Wieslaw Michalak, program director
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Documentary Media
We look for individuals who have
demonstrated a commitment to the
advancement of nursing through
their work or involvement in other
activities, such as professional
organizations and associations.
Karen Spalding, program director
Master of Nursing (MN)
By Dana Yates
It’s a classic coming-of-age story. But the central
character isn’t a person – it’s a university.
Ryerson underwent a transformation when it
received full university status in 1993. Seven years
later, the first graduate programs were launched and
several milestones have since been achieved:
n The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) now has
more than 1,000 alumni.
n Ryerson currently offers 27 graduate programs,
including seven leading to a doctorate.
n On average, each program receives four applications
for every space available.
n This fall will bring the launch of master’s programs
in such diverse areas as Literatures of Modernity,
Building Science and Applied Mathematics.
“The basic framework for graduate programming
is in place,” says Maurice Yeates, Dean of the SGS.
“Each Faculty is represented and we’re ready to
develop new doctoral programs, in niche areas such
as Policy Studies and in interdisciplinary areas, drawing
on the strength of our master’s programs.”
Today, more than 1,600 graduate students attend
Ryerson and almost 80 per cent live in the Greater
Toronto Area (GTA). What attracts them to the
University? “Ryerson’s graduate curriculum, like the
undergraduate one, is career-oriented,” says Dean
Yeates. “We offer internships and links with industry,
the public sector and community agencies. These
hands-on opportunities are not available elsewhere
in the province.”
Prospective students are also enticed by full- and
part-time study options, increased financial aid,
new or renovated research facilities, and relevant
programs that meet societal needs. To that end, the
programs have been built upon a critical mass at the
University and are aligned with Ryerson’s academic
strengths. Dean Yeates describes graduate programs
at Ryerson as fitting within six broad themes: diversity,
creativity, health, engineering, public and private
sector administration, and the application of
science to problems.
That emphasis on strategic programming provides
numerous benefits. Access to graduate student talent
increases the expertise and scholarly, research
and creative activity of faculty members. In turn,
this enrichment not only enhances the graduate
student experience, but also attracts more students
and high-quality faculty members. Those professors
then go on to expand learning opportunities for
undergraduates.
As a result, Ryerson strengthens its reputation for
professionally related education across the board.
Over time, the value of a Ryerson degree appreciates,
leading many alumni to recommend Ryerson’s
graduate programs to their own children. That next
generation of students, along with today’s learners,
will drive research, innovation and creativity in
the GTA, the country’s leading motor of economic
development.
It’s a story with a happy ending – one that will play
out again and again as the University expands its
complement of graduate programs. In the following
pages, we will describe where Ryerson graduate education
has come from – and where it’s headed next.
Leading
the way
Pioneer one of Ryerson’s first graduate students
By Dana Yates
Mass mailings may soon be a thing of the past,
thanks to Andy Charles, Applied Geography (BA)
’00 and Spatial Analysis (MSA) ’01.
As Manager of Retail Print Distribution for Sears
Canada, Andy uses geographic information systems
to help his company get the most bang for its
marketing buck. “My spatial background helps me
determine exactly where we should distribute flyers,”
he says. “The whole point of it is targeted distribution,
not carpet-bombing.”
Strategic planning is familiar ground for Andy.
During the mid-1990s, he left his native Grenada to
attend Ryerson. He was attracted to the University’s
small class sizes and focus on hands-on learning –
the same characteristics that convinced him to enrol
in Spatial Analysis, one of Ryerson’s first master’s
programs, when it launched in 2000.
Alumna Kari Davis: one of Ryerson’s first MBA grads.
“ ”
hungry to do something beyond the ordinary.
Jeffrey Yokota, program director
Master of Applied Science (MASc), Master of
Engineering (MEng) and Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD) in Aerospace Engineering
Initially, Andy had reservations about charting the
new territory. “But the expertise and resources I had
access to in the program convinced me that I had
made the right decision,” he says. His thesis advisor
was Maurice Yeates, Ryerson’s Dean of the School of
Graduate Studies. As one of the first Spatial Analysis
graduates, Andy went on to work at Geomedia and
later the Bank of Nova Scotia. He now holds a master
of business administration (MBA) from Wilfrid
Laurier University.
Earning an MBA, Andy says, demonstrated the value
of transferable skills. “It was a shock to see the concepts
I learned in the Spatial Analysis program were
highly applicable to an MBA program. I’ve gotten a
lot of mileage out of the MSA program.”
Where marketing
meets
real estate
A Ryerson MBA has put this recent graduate
exactly where she wants to be
By Dana Yates
When Kari Davis was looking for a master of business
administration (MBA) program, she says the choice
was obvious. “I had already gone to Ryerson and I
liked how it ran its undergraduate Business program.
So I applied to the University for my graduate work
because I knew I would get a similar experience.”
For Kari, Business Management (BComm) ’02 and
MBA ’07, that experience included small class sizes
and supportive faculty members. “The MBA was a
rigorous program and you definitely felt that the faculty
were behind you 100 per cent,” she says.
With a combined interest in marketing and real
estate, Kari did her internship at Oxford Properties
Group, a Toronto-based commercial real estate
investment and property management firm. As part
of her placement, she developed a marketing plan
for a shopping mall in Winnipeg and sought advice
from her former professor Maurice Yeates, Dean of
Ryerson’s School of Graduate Studies.
Alumnus Andy Charles: A very Spatial graduate.
During her studies, Kari also had the opportunity
to speak at an on-campus media event announcing
a $15-million gift from philanthropists and longtime
Ryerson supporters Ted Rogers and his wife
Loretta. The donation – which renamed the Faculty
of Business as the Ted Rogers School of Management
– will establish a new research chair and more than
50 awards and scholarships for undergraduate and
graduate students. Having received a Dennis Mock
Graduate Scholarship through Ryerson, Kari spoke
about the importance of financial assistance. “I
know as a student that it’s hard to come up with the
means to go to school.”
Now that she has completed her MBA, Kari is still
happy with her decision to attend Ryerson. “I was
excited to be in the first year of the program because
everyone was focused on getting the best out of it.”

14 Graduate Studies Graduate Studies 15
Ahealthymix For this alumna, the perfect career
blends engineering with medicine
By Dana Yates
Thanks to biomedical engineering, devices such
as artificial hearts and insulin pumps are enabling
people to live longer, healthier lives. What’s more, as
the population ages, there’s increased need for new
medical technologies and alumna April Khademi
aims to meet the demand.
When April, Electrical and Computer Engineering
(BEng) ’04 and (MASc) ’06, completed her undergraduate
studies, she found work as an engineer but
soon felt the pull of academic life. For advice, she
turned to Sri Krishnan, Chair of Ryerson’s Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dr.
Krishnan had supervised April’s undergraduate thesis,
which developed a system of transferring digital
mammography images between hospitals.
The thesis, co-written with Danoush Hosseinzadeh,
Electrical and Computer Engineering (BEng) ’04
and (MASc) ’06, won the award for best undergraduate
technical paper at an international conference
for upcoming engineers. Soon after, the paper
was published in the magazine of the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers Canada.
The experience ultimately helped April find her calling.
“Dr. Krishnan had shown me that math and
electrical engineering principles could be applied
to the biomedical field.” Later, April’s former supervisor
would encourage her to pursue biomedical
research at the graduate level.
April went on to win two provincial scholarships and
excelled as a master’s student. She created a computer-aided
diagnostic technology that determined
if biomedical images of breast tissue, the retina and
small bowel showed signs of disease. During her
studies, April also discovered a love of teaching and
twice received the award for best teaching assistant of
the year. Finally, upon graduating, she received the
Governor General’s Gold Medal, which honours a
graduate student with the highest academic standing.
Today, April is pursing a PhD in electrical engineering
at the University of Toronto and she holds a
prestigious Canada Graduate Scholarship from the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
of Canada. She continues, however, to maintain a
strong connection to her alma mater – her supervisors
are Kostas Plataniotis, an Associate Professor of
electrical and computer engineering at the University
of Toronto, and Anastasios (Tas) Venetsanopoulos,
Ryerson University’s Vice-President, Research and
Innovation. “I can’t get away from Ryerson,” she
jokes. “It’s my second home.”
Alumna April Khademi, left, and Ryerson Vice-President Tas Venetsanopoulos:
“Research is a creative outlet.”
“
For her PhD dissertation, in conjunction with the
Imaging Research Department at Sunnybrook
Health Sciences Centre, April intends to create
another computer-aided diagnostic tool for the
analysis of cerebral MRI, or magnetic resonance
imaging. This one will automatically analyze various
diseases of the brain, including multiple sclerosis
and other degenerative disorders which occur in the
cerebral white matter (the region of the brain which
contains nerve fibres). Currently, diagnosing disease
in this area is highly subjective; radiologists may
differ in their interpretation of medical images and
moreover, the analysis is often qualitative in nature.
April’s work, though, may provide radiologists with
an objective and consistent way of quantitatively
assessing dead brain tissue or lesions, as well as their
location, volume and rate of progression.
For April, that possibility is as gratifying as the entire
journey toward discovery. “Research is a creative outlet,”
she says. “You’re the artist, taking an idea from
inception to final output. Ryerson taught me to be
part of the creative process, from beginning to end.”
Our faculty members appreciate
students with diverse professional and
personal backgrounds who can bring
new ideas to the lab and contribute to
an enriched learning environment
”
for
their fellow students and supervisors.
Martin M. Antony, program director
Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of
Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology
PhD candidate Hossein Rahnama: “The university environment
allows you to work with other researchers and provides the perfect
setting to build something new.”
Photo credit: Mark Blinch, Image Arts ’06
Cellphone software facilitates
virtual introductions anywhere, anytime
By Dana Yates
Mobile phones are a must in the modern world. But
what if you could connect to others without placing
a call or sending a text message?
Sound far-fetched? Not according to Hossein
Rahnama, Computer Science (BSc) ’03 and
Electrical and Computer Engineering (MASc)
’06. Currently pursuing a PhD in Electrical and
Computer Engineering, Hossein has developed software
that enables like-minded people to find each
other via cellphone. The invention uses the same
principle of social networking popularized by websites
such as Facebook and MySpace. Hossein, however,
has added mobility to the mix. Searches can be
conducted in real time even in locations where cellular
service isn’t available, all without incurring extra
charges or requiring a central server.
What’s more, this customizable Bluetooth-enabled
technology provides users with context in different
social settings. For instance, a keynote speaker
can be alerted if an audience consists mostly of
engineers, and tailor the presentation accordingly.
Made-to-order templates can be designed for events,
such as professional conferences, enabling searches
to be adapted while the user is in attendance. Other
functions of the technology: associates can exchange
virtual business cards, students can seek lab partners,
singles can find prospective love interests and
lunch crowds can receive restaurant specials. Finally,
on a more serious note, the software can enhance
the function of landmine-detection robots, allowing
them to communicate directly with each other,
rather than through a global positioning system.
Here’s how the system works: users set up a profile
on their cellphone, indicate their search preferences
and then go about their lives. As a potential match
moves into range – at the coffee shop, on the bus or
in the grocery store – each person is notified. These
electronic introductions may include a photo, profile
or videos and can even reveal if the two users share
mutual contacts or friends. From there, further contact
can be made by text message.
“Technically, the biggest challenge is trying to build
software for use on multiple platforms,” Hossein
says. If past experiences prove anything, he’s up
to the task. During his undergraduate studies, he
worked with Image Arts Professor Bruce Elder to
create software that would help the faculty member
with his experimental films.
Pleased
meet
to
you
Later, as a master’s student, Hossein developed a program
that enables doctors to view X-rays on a PDA.
More recently, as a sessional instructor in the School
of Computer Science, Hossein helped create the first
in-house, fully automated lecture podcasting technology
in Canada. The project resulted from Hossein’s
long-term collaboration with Bradley Fortner,
Operations and Technology Program Manager for
the Rogers Communications Centre. Using the podcasting
technology, instructors record online multimedia
lectures, which students can then download
onto portable media players such as IPods.
Making a difference in a variety of areas has kept
Hossein at Ryerson since 1999, and this winter he is
planning to pursue an internship in Sweden. “The
university environment,” he says, “allows you to
work with other researchers and provides the perfect
setting to build something new.”
Although doctor of philosophy programs are relatively
new to the University – the first launched just
five years ago – they demonstrate that Ryerson’s
graduate programming is evolving. To be sure, once
a master’s program is well established, the University
explores the possibility of a PhD counterpart.
Some deciding factors include availability of provincial
funding, student interest and the existence of
suitable on-campus facilities. Externally, the Ontario
Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS), an oversight
committee for the province, ensures a proposed program
meets quality standards.
“OCGS consultants have been extremely supportive
of graduate program proposals from Ryerson,”
says Maurice Yeates, Dean of the School of Graduate
Studies. “Several proposals for master’s programs
have so exceeded the ‘disciplinary bar’ that Ryerson
has been encouraged to move to doctoral work in
the area as soon as financially feasible.”
As more PhD programs start up, perhaps the greatest
contributors to their success are high-quality
faculty members – those who hold PhDs and are
pursuing their own research agendas. Hossein
can attest to this critical need. He has had the
same supervisor throughout his Ryerson career:
Alireza Sadeghian, Chair of the Department of
Computer Science. It’s all about finding the right
match, says Hossein. “Dr. Sadeghian’s research
expertise has extremely helped me with the core
design of my research. My work has been successful
because of his focused attention and guidance.”

16 Graduate Studies
Programs
of prominence
Ryerson is known for its innovative undergraduate
programs, many of which are unique in
Canada. Today, that tradition of distinctiveness
has been extended to the University’s graduate
programs. Here are a few noteworthy examples:
Hot docs
The Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media
is the only program of its kind in Canada to offer
advanced training in one of the most rapidly
growing areas of media. The interdisciplinary
curriculum – exploring film, photography and
new media – focuses on the production of, and
theories behind, documentary works.
Immigration nation
Nearly one in every five Canadian residents
was born outside the country. Ryerson’s master’s
program in Immigration and Settlement
Studies investigates migration, identity and
diversity in Canada from several perspectives,
including law, literature, gender, race and class.
The faculty members in this multi-disciplinary
program are drawn from the Faculty of Arts and
the Faculty of Community Services.
A strong economy
Every country is affected by economic and financial
issues. Ryerson is home of the only Canadian
graduate program to study these important topics
from an international viewpoint, with special
emphasis placed on global business. The Master
of Arts in International Economics and Finance
attracts a number of international students, and
is supported by both the Faculty of Arts and the
Ted Rogers School of Management.
Spanning the sciences
Today’s scientific issues require interdisciplinary
knowledge and techniques. To meet that need,
Ryerson has developed a master’s program in
Molecular Science. This unique, research-intensive
initiative integrates the fields of chemistry,
biochemistry and biology.
What’s it all mean?
A glossary of graduateschool
terms:
Master’s degree – an academic title conferred
upon someone who completes a graduate program
of one to two years in length. Types of
degrees offered at Ryerson include: master
of arts, master of science, master of business
administration, master of management science,
master of health science, master of architecture,
master of journalism, master of fine
arts, master of social work, master of spatial
analysis, master of nursing, master of applied
science and master of engineering.
PhD – also known as a doctor of philosophy, this
academic degree represents the highest level of
graduate study and can be earned in a variety of
disciplines. Those who achieve a doctoral degree
can add the prefix “Dr.” to their name. Not all
doctoral degrees are PhDs, however.
Thesis – a formal, written work on a specific subject
in which a student has conducted original
research. Defending one’s thesis, or discussing its
perspective and findings with program advisors,
is usually required.
Major research paper – at the master’s level,
similar to a thesis, but without the requirement
of primary research, and often without the
requirement of an oral defence.
Dissertation – a thesis, generally written by
those pursuing a PhD. Generally the doctoral
dissertation is much more substantive than a
master’s thesis and requires an oral examination
by internal supervisors and external reviewers.
Post-doctoral fellowship – a position awarded
to PhD graduates who plan to conduct further
academic research in their field at another university.
Typically includes a stipend.
Supervisor – a faculty member who advises graduate
students on the development of their thesis or
dissertation. Often, a supervisor and student share
similar research interests.
Supervisory committee – a group of academics
that offers advice to graduate students on the
development of their thesis or dissertation.
Takeyourpick
Ryerson offers a variety of graduate
programs and more are on the horizon.
Today and Admissions September 2008
u Aerospace Engineering (PhD, MASc, MEng)
u Applied Mathematics (MSc)*
u Architecture (MArch)
u Biomedical Physics (MSc)
u Building Science (MBSc, MASc)*
u Chemical Engineering (PhD, MASc, MEng)
u Civil Engineering (PhD, MASc, MEng)
u Communication and Culture – joint program
with York University (PhD, MA)
u Computer Networks (MASc, MEng)
u Computer Science (MSc)
u Documentary Media (MFA)
u Early Childhood Studies (MA)
u Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD,
MASc, MEng)
u Environmental Applied Science and
Management (MASc)
u Immigration and Settlement Studies (MA)
u International Economics and Finance (MA)
u Journalism (MJ)
u Literatures of Modernity (MA)*
u Management of Technology and Innovation
(MBA, MMSc)
u Master of Business Administration (MBA)
u Mechanical Engineering (PhD, MASc, MEng)
u Media Production (MA)
u Molecular Science (MSc)
u Nursing (MN)
u Nutrition Communication (MHSc)
u Photographic Preservation and Collections
Management (MA)
u Psychology (MA, PhD)**
u Public Policy and Administration (MA)
u Social Work (MSW)
u Spatial Analysis (MSA)
* Expected to commence September 2008, pending final
approval of the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies and
the Ryerson University Board of Governors.
** PhD program expected to commence September 2009.
On the horizon
u Biomedical Physics (PhD)
u Business (PhD)
u Environmental Applied Science and
Management (PhD)
u Financial Analysis – joint program with
Concordia University (MBA, CFA)
u Molecular Science (PhD)
u Nursing (PhD)
u Philosophy (MA)
u Policy Studies (PhD)
u Teaching (MT)
u Urban Development (MPl)
These programs are in various stages of development
and need final approval from the Ontario
Council on Graduate Studies and the Ryerson
University Board of Governors.
For more information about Ryerson’s graduate
programs, visit www.ryerson.ca/graduate.
Diaspora disciples: From left: Kamau Ngugi, Winnie Wong and Shawn Dicks
investigated an array of cultural issues in Ryerson’s innovative Immigration
and Settlement Studies master’s program.
By Dana Yates
When Kamau Ngugi, Immigration and Settlement
Studies ’07, was writing a research paper on the
Canadian refugee system, much of the source material
came from his own life.
In 2002, Kamau fled his native Kenya, where, as a
human rights advocate, he fought against police torture
and government corruption. The work was dangerous;
other human rights defenders had suffered
persecution and had been threatened with death.
Eventually, Kamau gained refugee status in Canada;
however, his wife and young daughter weren’t permitted
to join him. For three years, Kamau struggled
to reunite with his family while building a new life
some 12,000 km away.
Today, the family lives together in Toronto and
has welcomed a Canadian-born daughter. Kamau
has also continued his advocacy work. As Refugee
Co-ordinator for Amnesty International, he helps refugees
navigate the claims system and lobbies the government
to be more responsive to refugees’ needs. It’s
a role that Kamau feels strongly about and one that
convinced him to enrol in Ryerson’s Master of Arts
program in Immigration and Settlement Studies.
The first of its kind in the country, the program
explores immigration trends, policies and programs
in Canada (see sidebar on opposite page). It also
requires students to complete an internship and
write a major research paper (MRP). In Kamau’s
case, his paper had a dual purpose: “I wanted to
raise awareness about who refugees are and the challenges
they face. There are misconceptions that refu-
Photo credit: Mark Blinch, Image Arts ’06
Migratory
patterns
Unique program explores
the many facets of immigration
gees come here to receive social assistance or to take
advantage of Canada’s immigration policies. Also,
I think the government should explain why it has
policies that discourage refugee claims when wars
and persecutions are increasingly displacing people
throughout the world.” The policies, he says, include
making it difficult for refugees and their families
to be reunited, and sending immigration officers
abroad to intercept refugees at airports.
Other barriers to refuge in Canada also need to be
addressed, says Shawn Dicks, ISS ’07, who hails from
Newfoundland. His MRP looked at Canada’s policy
of providing refugee status to people who fear persecution
because of their sexual orientation. This type
of asylum is available in only a few Western nations
and, while Shawn says the concept is commendable,
the decision-making process needs an overhaul. He
arrived at that conclusion during an internship at a
Toronto law office that specializes in refugee claims
based on sexual orientation.
“The decisions of the Immigration and Refugee
Board (IRB) are based on stereotypical assumptions
of homosexuality,” Shawn says. The IRB, he argues,
is also mistaken in its belief of which nations are tolerant
of homosexuality. He argues these biases affect
a decision-maker’s neutrality and result in negative
rulings for claimants. As proof, he points to cases in
which IRB members have rejected claimants because
they were, as Shawn says, “too masculine to be gay.”
“The onus is on the claimant to prove their sexuality,
but there isn’t a cookie-cutter model of a gay person,”
Graduate Studies 17
“
Our ideal applicant is intellectually
curious about human migration
and wants to make a difference
through immigration research,
”
policy-making or service delivery.
Myer Siemiatycki, program director
Master of Arts (MA) in Immigration
and Settlement Studies
he explains. Shawn recommends decisions should be
made by a committee, rather than a single IRB member;
an appeals process must be implemented; and
IRB members need more training on how to handle
identity-based refugee claims.
Identity and its implications were the focus of
research conducted by Winnie Wong, ISS ’07.
Originally from British Columbia, Winnie says a
year of travelling and doing community work in
South America piqued her interest in immigration
issues, particularly in diversity and the way multiculturalism
programs are implemented.
“In my coursework and MRP, I explored the concept
of Canadian citizenship based on multiculturalism
and I found it to be quite nationalistic,” she says.
“We tend to think of groups as being distinct entities,
but I don’t think it’s as simple as that. There’s a
lot of overlap of identities.”
Winnie argues that citizenship and cultural integration
should be synonymous with interdependency;
our identities are formed through interactions with
one another. She admits, however, a major challenge
is translating this abstract concept into the everyday
lives of Canadians. “We need more empathy for,
and engagement with, other cultures but there’s no
blanket solution for all communities. I feel we need
to take a grassroots or bottom-up approach to policy
change in this area.”
For more information about the Immigration and
Settlement Studies program, visit ryerson.ca/graduate.

18 Graduate Studies
Ryerson people Graduate in the Studies news 19
It’s investigation
under “
Above all, we look for a passion for, and
commitment to, the medium of photography
and its preservation. We accept students
with undergraduate degrees in a number of
disciplines, including anthropology, visual
arts, film production, English, history,
”
journalism, art history and photography.
Marta Braun, program director
Graduate students explore diverse fields
Master of Arts (MA) in Photographic
By Dana Yates
Preservation and Collections Management
Ryerson people
in the news
Who:
Rachel Brophy, Theatre (BFA) ‘05 and Early
Childhood Studies (MA) ‘07
The essential question:
Why are aboriginal early childhood services delivered
inconsistently across Canada?
May I make a suggestion?
By analyzing existing literature on indigenous
knowledge, language, and literacy programs, Rachel
came up with these recommendations for educators,
policy-makers and researchers: develop programs
that consider diversity within the aboriginal population,
gather information on the unique needs of
aboriginal children and communities by conducting
empirical research based in indigenous research
methods, and allow families to provide input on
their children’s education.
Quotable quote:
“When I started my research, I was looking at
choices. For example, which is better: English language
or aboriginal language programs? But as my
work continued, I realized that isn’t the issue. It’s not
about what is the ‘right’ choice. It’s about families
being in a position to make that choice.”
Who:
Peter Ryan – PhD candidate in
Communication and Culture
Inquiring minds want to know:
How does science fiction influence technological
innovation?
Tell me a story:
Peter has interviewed several information technology
professionals and sci-fi writers, including award-winning
author Robert J. Sawyer, Radio and Television
Arts ’82. As it turns out, writers often serve as the
genesis for inventions, and may even help encourage
mainstream acceptance of new technologies.
Quotable quote:
“Some R&D organizations ask themselves ‘How can
we harness the public’s imagination in this area?’
And they sometimes turn to writers to create a narrative
that will plant a seed within the public.”
Who:
Alana West, Image Arts ’01 – pursuing
a Master of Arts in Photographic
Preservation and Collections Management
Theory meets practice:
As part of her program, Alana has completed a
13-week internship, working with the photography
curators at the Art Gallery of Ontario. In addition,
last fall she took on the massive extracurricular task
of curating Collected, a photography exhibition at
the Ryerson Gallery. Featuring images from the Mira
Godard Study Centre, Ryerson University, the exhibition
examined different types of collections.
Quotable quote:
“When I was accepted into the program, I made a
list of things I wanted to accomplish during the first
year. To get as much experience as possible, I definitely
wanted to go through each stage of curating
and put on an exhibition.”
“We’re looking for people who eat, breathe and sleep
journalism. We want students who are deeply curious
about the world outside themselves and who realize that
there’s no career more fascinating than finding out how the
world works and communicating it to the public at large.
Gene Allen, program director
Master of Journalism (MJ)
Illustrations by James Turner
Expert commentary on a smorgasbord of subjects
By Andy Lee
A HOMe By Any OTHeR nAMe
What’s in a street name? Real estate experts say it can
affect a home’s property value for better or worse.
Business Professor Murtaza Haider, Director of Ryerson’s
Institute of Housing and Mobility, analyzed the property
values of 300 homes on or near Toronto’s Bloor Street.
He found that homes with “Bloor” in the address fetched
significantly higher market prices than similarly sized properties.
“A street name, I think, carries a certain snob value,” he says in a
National Post article.
Prof. Haider says people are willing to pay a premium to have addresses
in elite neighbourhoods such as Forest Hill in Toronto or
Westmount in Montreal. “It’s how people define themselves. It’s
no different than wearing brand name clothing,” he says.
HeARD IT THROugH THe gRAPevIne
Office gossip can be good. The workplace grapevine
can provide positive and useful information,
according to Professional Communication
Professor Carolyn Meyer.
“The grapevine is interpersonal networking in
which people share information that helps in their
DINGLE BINGLE HILL TERRACE BLOOR STREET
OPEN
HOUSE
nOSH nOISeS
The Toronto Star asked Ryerson researchers to predict the impact of snacking
sounds on speech comprehension during live performances.
Studies have shown that optimal listening occurs when an actor’s voice is 15
decibels higher than ambient noise. A typical human voice is 65 decibels. “If
I’m raising my voice, it might be 70. If I’m screaming, it might be 80,” Psychology
Professor Frank Russo told the Star.
Prof. Russo and colleagues found that people within a 10-seat radius of a
snacker noticed the munching noise. They also calculated the decibel levels of
various snacks and how much onstage dialogue listeners would understand.
professional development or career advancement.
They’re learning from each other,” said Prof. Meyer
in a Globe and Mail article.
While informal communication can lead to workplace
bonding, it can also spawn malicious rumours.
OPEN
HOUSE
Ultimately, Prof. Meyer believes it is up to each employee
to take responsibility for their actions.
“When you hear something, evaluate the content of the
message and ask yourself if it’s worthy of transmission.
If you’re in an environment that’s rife with gossip, it’s
important to filter information and make conscious
decisions about what you’ll pass on,” she said.

20 Work of Arts
Not your typical Arts degree
First hundred graduates of new program are making their mark
By Gary Rusak, Journalism ’03
When 23-year-old Naila Ramdewar, Arts and
Contemporary Studies ’07, walks into the Toronto
offices of Amazing Canadian magazine, she knows
her day will be filled with diverse tasks — arranging
cover shoots, handling major advertisers or even
providing editorial input. And that suits her just fine.
In fact, Naila thrives on her ability to constantly
adjust to the demands of the workplace. It’s a skill
she credits to her involvement in the inaugural
class of the Arts and Contemporary Studies (ACS)
program at Ryerson University.
Drawing from a range of departments within
the Faculty of Arts, this interdisciplinary degree
program, which began in 2003, is flexible and
emphasizes the importance of skills furnished by
a liberal arts education — a fitting strategy in a
changing economy and culture that increasingly call
for innovative solutions. The ACS Program Director,
Klaas Kraay, says the program’s advantage over
others is its emphasis on foundational skills, which
allow students considerable flexibility in tailoring
their studies.
Naila agrees: “Being introduced to such a broad
spectrum of material fit my personality.” She took
media-related courses such as film theory and
popular culture, which prepared her for work in
Canada’s magazine industry. As communications
director for Amazing Canadian she is able to use
skills from all aspects of her studies.
The program’s first two years of common courses
offer a skills-based foundation that underpin the
final two-year specializations. Students can focus on
a particular subject – philosophy, history, English
or French – or one of four contemporary themes:
culture and entertainment, science and technology,
diversity and equity, or global studies.
While Naila scored her job just days after graduation,
she is not the successful exception among her
hundred fellow graduates. “We have a few who
started their own companies, some are going to
law school, some are teaching English in Japan and
some are in graduate school,” says Dr. Kraay. “These
students are bold, creative thinkers who want to
break down the boundaries between disciplines.”
Alumna Naila Ramdewar:
among the first crop of ACS grads.
Join the Ryerson Fund Monthly Giving Program
Alumni support is essential for student success. And now
your support can be made even easier through monthly giving.
Donate monthly using your credit card or bank account.
For more information or to sign up,
phone 1-866-428-8881
or 416-979-5000, ext. 6516.
Thanks for supporting Ryerson.
Research impact
Spotlight on the latest in scholarly, research and creative activity at Ryerson
To help them better cope with their lives, participants
in Professor Donald McKay’s research project
act out feelings of sadness in a technique known as
“forum theatre.”
Real-life drama
Social theatre empowers people
through acting, music
By Suelan Toye
Donald McKay is empowering people through theatre.
With a cast of artists and educators, and funding
from the Dean of the Faculty of Community Services,
the Early Childhood Education professor is helping
ordinary people overcome problems in their lives using
a social theatre technique called “forum theatre.”
Participants work with composers, lyricists, educators
and producers to create a play loosely based on
problems they are grappling with in their own lives.
In the process, they discover solutions by watching
other people act out their dilemmas.
Prof. McKay came up with the idea for his research from
two areas. First, he saw how effective music and dance
could be applied as teaching tools while working on a
project in Brazil in the late 90s to train local teachers. A
few years later, he became involved with Toronto First
Duty, a community pilot project that provided support
programs for parents and their children in schools and
community centres.
Currently, Prof. McKay is working with two groups,
one made up largely of Canadian women, the other,
mostly immigrant women. He plans to publish his
findings in a journal and create a manual so that other
community groups can use forum theatre as well.
Houses of the holy
Image Arts Professor Robert Burley’s photographic
survey of Toronto’s first synagogues
Research impact 21
Kiever Synagogue, corner of Bellvue Avenue and Denison Square, 2004 The congregation
of Rodfei Sholem Anshei Kiev was established in 1912. The building was designed by
architect Benjamin Schwartz and built in 1923.
Knesseth Israel Synagogue, corner of Maria and Shipman Streets, 2004. Congregation
Knesseth Israel was established in 1909 in the west Toronto neighbourhood known as the
Junction. The building was designed by James A. Ellis of the architectural firm Ellis and
Connery and dedicated in 1912.

22 Role model
Harbinger
of
hope
A rare sight in Afghanistan,
working woman inspires orphan girls
By Sharon Aschaiek
In the heart of war-ravaged Kabul, a small
orphanage for girls has been “adopted” by local
Canadian troops. The two dozen girls who live
there receive books, vitamins, medicine and clothes
sent by the soldiers’ families and friends. But what
sustains them more than these basic supplies
is the hope the soldiers provide, particularly
servicewomen like Jadzia Karas, Graphic
Communications Management (GCM) ’05. This
very visible working woman is a rare sight in a
culture where women typically take a backseat.
“Girls get overlooked in Afghanistan – in the
streets and the marketplace. It’s a man’s world
and women live in the shadows of society,” says
24-year-old Jadzia, who returned to Toronto
from a seven-month tour of duty in the Middle
Eastern country.
Jadzia was eager to show the girls that, just as
she had achieved her goal of making a difference
through military service, they too could realize
their own dreams. “I wanted them to feel they
could be anything when they grow up, that there’s
hope,” she says.
A military reservist since high school, Jadzia was
summoned in January 2006 for work-up training
at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. Six months
later, she boarded a plane for Afghanistan as
part of a task force mission to help the Afghan
government with security, education, roads,
water and food supply.
During her tour, Jadzia faced such expected
challenges as traversing oppressively hot desert
terrain wearing about 15 kilograms of protective
gear, and sharing close living quarters with seven
other soldiers.
What proved trickier, though, was navigating the
complex yet subtle social rules of a completely
foreign culture. “You have to get used to nonexistent
rules of the road, language barriers and
different social customs,” she says. “It’s like being
suddenly thrown into deep water and told to
swim really fast and really far. You try to do your
best and eventually you can do it.”
Most difficult, she says, was dealing with the
ever-present possibility of danger in this volatile,
conflict-ridden region. Some of it hit too close
to home. “Unfortunately, it’s just life, and life is
different in different parts of the world. The only
thing you can do is try to fix things, make it better
and do your job the best you can.”
This proactive, positive attitude that served Jadzia
so well as a soldier – she received the General
Campaign Star of Afghanistan medal for her role
in the mission – has been equally useful since her
return to Canada in February 2007.
It was then that she decided to apply the extensive
education and practical technical training she
received from the GCM program.
The only one of its kind in the country, the fouryear
degree program provides comprehensive
theoretical instruction in printing technologies
and valuable business skills that prepare
graduates for the multi-faceted field of graphic
communications.
In April 2007, Jadzia began work at the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of Ontario as a purchaser,
buying services and materials for the wide range of
initiatives carried out by the health charity.
She’s enjoying using her extensive GCM education,
which she says has greatly decreased the job’s
learning curve. She also likes the fact that she’s
continuing to give back to society.
“The GCM program prepared me well for this
job. There are constantly things that come up at
work that we covered in class,” says Jadzia. “If you
do the job well, you save the Foundation money,
which means more goes toward research and
education.” And for this servicewoman, that’s a
very rewarding feeling.
Alumna Jadzia Karas: reaching out
to orphan girls in Afghanistan.
Naomi Mudachi, Nursing ‘05, right, and Dr. Elizabeth McCay:
helping street youth improve their mental well-being.
By Lindsay Borthwick, Journalism ’02
In a given year, there are an estimated 10,000
homeless youth on the streets of Toronto. Yet to
many of the city’s residents, they are invisible.
Not so for Naomi Mudachi, Nursing ’05, who for
more than two years was engaged as a research
coordinator in an extensive study of the mental
health needs of street youth funded by the
Wellesley Institute and Ryerson University’s
Faculty of Community Services.
Using surveys and interviews, she and a team of
research assistants gathered information about
the background and mental health status of 70
young adults. Preliminary results suggest that in
spite of the tremendous hardships they’ve faced,
Toronto’s homeless youth are energetic, resilient
and hopeful about the future. By building on
these strengths, the researchers hope to improve
the mental health and quality of life for these
young adults.
“There are quite a few stereotypes about
homeless youth, but those stereotypes were
broken for me once I worked with them,” says
Naomi. “I always came away feeling very energized
by them. They have a unique perspective on things
and are quite insightful.”
Naomi was attracted to the project by one of her
professors and faculty advisors, Dr. Elizabeth
McCay, who leads the study with Dr. John Langley
of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. But she was
also eager to build on her previous experience
Playing the learning game
Early Childhood graduate sparks
a love of science in children
By Lindsay Borthwick, Journalism ’02
Fotini Fokidis, Early Childhood Education (ECE)
’05, works at a place where science equals delight,
where child’s play isn’t simple but sublime. That
place is KidSpark, a science-driven playground at
the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto that boasts
more than 1,000 visitors a day.
In 2004, when KidSpark was brand new, Fotini
undertook a placement there as an ECE student.
She was often seen blowing bubbles among a
pack of kids, earning her the nickname, the
Bubble Princess. “A lot of people think that with
a thousand kids here they’d end up going crazy,”
Fotini says. “But I love it.”
Two years later, her playful spirit was one of the
traits that made her a shoo-in for the position
of KidSpark Coordinator. Today, she oversees
the facility’s daily operations, collaborates on
new exhibit designs and develops educational
programs. The job allows this 26-year-old, who
also holds a teaching degree from Trent University,
to employ her expertise in both fields.
“Many people who come to KidSpark view play
as just play, and that’s one of the hardest parts
of my job,” Fotini says. “We try to show parents
that there is actually learning involved.” Indeed,
the facility’s philosophy is “learning through
play,” and the exhibits are designed to stimulate
curiosity, creativity, experimentation and roleplaying
during the most critical period of brain
development, age eight and under.
Ryerson’s ongoing partnership with KidSpark
allows many ECE students to follow in Fotini’s
footsteps and apply what they have learned in class
in this unique environment. But Patricia Rego,
ECE’s Field Placement Coordinator, says the value
is even greater than that. “Students become much
more creative and innovative in their teaching and
interactions with children and their families as a
result of the experience.” No one exemplifies this
better than Fotini, the Bubble Princess.
The psychology
of street life
Homeless youth energetic
and hopeful, study finds
Helping hands 23
working with homeless adults and individuals
with schizophrenia.
Indeed, Naomi is steadily forging a career in
mental health nursing. She recently completed a
master’s degree in Nursing and began working
as a forensic mental health nurse, caring for
people who have been deemed by the criminal
justice system to be not criminally responsible or
unfit to stand trial due to mental illness. It’s a
job where she continues to confront stereotypes
and to care for vulnerable individuals. She may
return to research, she says, but in the meantime
she hopes the Ryerson study will inform policy
and give street youth the bright future they
envision for themselves.
Alumna Fotini Fokidis:
“Bubble Princess” to the children.

24 Pathways
Going Profiles green 25
Ryerson, via Regent Park
Remarkable program gives young residents
of Canada’s largest public housing complex a
hand-up and a chance to succeed
By Sharon Aschaiek
Years ago, when Jason Chu’s parents fled Vietnam
to escape the war, a door slammed shut on their
plans for post-secondary education. When they
immigrated to Canada and moved into Toronto’s
Regent Park, the country’s largest public housing
complex, the Chus struggled to raise their five
children and give them the opportunities they
were denied.
Recently Jason, the youngest of the five, had that
door opened to him thanks to an innovative new
community outreach program led by Ryerson
University Now (RUN) and the Pathways to
Education program.
RUN is a Ryerson initiative that helps high school
students from marginalized communities access
a university education. Pathways is a project of
the Regent Park Community Health Centre that
encourages academic achievement among young
people in the community by providing them with
tutoring, mentoring, transit fare to attend school,
and bursaries for post-secondary education.
Together, they form the ideal partnership.
Last January, RUN and
Pathways offered 29
Regent Park students the
opportunity to take a firstyear
marketing course at
Ryerson, for credit, at no
cost. “Before the course
began, I was both excited
and nervous,” recalls
Jason, a Jarvis Collegiate
student who took part in the
program. “I’d never taken
a marketing course before,
and I didn’t know what to
expect from university.”
Attending class Monday evenings at a local library,
Jason and his classmates took the same four-month
course as full-time Ryerson students. He admits
it was demanding taking the course while staying
on top of his high school studies, a part-time job
and extracurricular activities – he was on his
school’s tennis and badminton teams and played
saxophone and clarinet in two school bands.
He learned a lot, he says, both about the art and
science of marketing as well as what it takes to
succeed as a university student. “It was challenging
handling the extra workload, the speed of the
teaching and learning independently,” says
“ These students don’t have
someone in their family
who’s gone to university
to act as a role model for
them. This program helps
them develop the selfconfidence
to succeed.”
– Dr. Dale Carl, Ted Rogers School
of Management
18-year-old Jason. “But I learned how to study
better and take good notes.”
Since its inception in 2001, Pathways has formed
partnerships with a number of universities. These
collaborations have led to considerable success
in reducing high-school dropout rates, cutting
absenteeism, increasing credit accumulation and
reducing the percentage of academically at-risk
students.
For Ryerson, partnering with Pathways is a
way to fulfill its mission of being a city builder
integrally involved in its local community. For
the students – who’ve been marginalized through
their economic situation, ethnic background,
or family or personal circumstances – being
offered the chance to attend university makes
post-secondary education familiar, accessible
and more of a real option for them.
“These students come from an economically
challenged part of society and have more
dysfunctional surroundings,” says Dale Carl, a
faculty member in Ryerson’s Ted Rogers School of
Management and one of
the two course instructors.
“Often, they don’t have
someone in their family
who’s gone to university to
act as a role model for them.
This program helps them
develop the self-confidence
to succeed.”
Of the original 29 participants,
19 wrote the final
exam and 18 are attending
university, 10 of them at
Ryerson. This success has
prompted a repeat of the
course in January 2008. Added to the program this
winter are two courses from the Faculty of Arts.
The long-term plan is to continue to expand the
RUN program into schools across the Greater
Toronto Area – good news for young scholars like
Jason. After scoring an A in the RUN course, Jason
is now enrolled in Ryerson’s four-year Information
Technology Management degree program.
“My parents are really proud of me,” he says.
“Because I come from a low-income family, it
was really great to get this support. It gave me an
opportunity to become a university student and
prepared me to take that next step.”
By Morgan Holmes
Venture into the forests of British Columbia’s
Kootenay region and you’ll likely encounter a
proliferation of pink ribbons hanging from the
trees. To a city dweller, the ribbons might seem
like part of a giant art installation. But for Olindo
Chiocca, Civil Engineering ’81, they are all part
of a day’s work. “Those are surveyors’ ribbons,”
he points out. “They hang along the path that a
new road will travel.”
As an independent geotechnical engineer in
Nelson, B.C., Olindo “walks the ribbon.” Working
for clients such as the provincial government and
private tenure holders who are building roads into
the forest, Olindo’s job is to hike surveyed routes,
assessing the potential risks new roads might
pose for downslope resources, such as streams,
other wildlife habitat and community water
sources. Currently a good deal of Olindo’s work
involves assessing roads that will provide access
to pine beetle-infested trees so the timber can be
harvested before it becomes unmarketable.
Though it’s been 25 years since he graduated from
Ryerson, this engineer – who in his spare time
writes books, most recently publishing Dinner
wit da Dons – still draws on the practical ideas
he learned at Ryerson when investigating road
stability and creating drainage plans. Professor
Roly Salvas, for example, introduced him to
soils in an engineering context, which is vital
knowledge for environmental assessment.
Logging is often a highly politicized practice. Yet
Olindo believes a middle ground is possible if
Walking
the ribbon
Engineer works to minimize
impact of new roads on
B.C.’s wildlife and water
environmentalists “accept that some harvesting
will occur and developers follow strict guidelines
that protect micro-environments.” Even measures
like using vegetable oil in chainsaws when working
near a creek can make a difference.
The pine beetles that have devastated so much
of B.C.’s forests are moving eastward, and
Olindo’s work holds important lessons for the
rest of Canada and beyond. “If other countries
followed the policies and practices of harvesting
and replanting that we have in B.C., deforestation
wouldn’t be such an issue on this planet,” he says.
To contact Olindo, write to
mafiacookbook@uniserve.com.
Going off the grid
Ryerson team designing homes that will generate all their own heat and light
By Stephen Knight, Journalism ’94
If a key message of the environmental movement
is to think globally and act locally, then some
Ryerson students and faculty are doing their part.
In Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, about a
dozen students and faculty from Ryerson are
part of a consortium of professionals including
architects, engineers and designers – known as the
Sustainable Urbanism Initiative – participating in
a project to tap into the global idea of sustainable
urban residential design.
Called Top of the Annex Townhouses, the project
was one of the winning entries in the Equilibrium
Housing competition organized by the Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The plan is
to build three net zero energy row houses – homes
that do not rely on the existing energy grid for
power – near the intersection of Davenport Road
and Dupont Street.
The homes rate a 100 on the federal government’s
EnerGuide rating system, which measures energy
performance on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being
an extremely high consumer and 100 a house that
Alumnus Olindo Chiocca: protecting the planet.
generates all of its own energy. This compares
with older houses, which tend to fall into the 0 to
50 range, and new homes, which typically clock in
around 70 to 80.
Dr. Mark Gorgolewski, Associate Professor in
Ryerson’s Department of Architectural Science and
an expert on sustainable design and construction,
says, “We have to make a fundamental shift in the
way we build things. Projects [like this one] are the
first steps in how we begin to make that change.”
Dr. Gorgolewski is co-ordinating the Ryerson part
of the project.
With builders more conscious of consumer
demand for green buildings – and saving money
– there is already an increase in the use of recycled
materials in construction. The Annex project’s
innovation, says Gorgolewski, lies in the integration
of many existing energy-saving technologies
in one home – geothermal heating, solar panels,
advanced thermal control systems, low-energy
lighting, high levels of insulation, high-quality
window glazing and thermal mass (the ability of
materials like concrete or masonry to store heat).
Artist’s rendering of net zero energy row houses
designed by Ryerson students and faculty.
While the net zero energy homes cost more initially
to build, says Gorgolewski, they will cost less
than lower-rated homes over their lifetime because
of thousands of dollars in savings generated by
their energy- and water-efficient, environmentally
friendly features. Furthermore, by signing up for
the Ontario Power Authority’s standard offer program,
the houses will be able to sell renewable energy
to the electrical grid at a high rate and thus make
money for the owners, offsetting the additional
capital costs of the equipment.

26 VP viewpoint/Alumni diary
VP viewpoint
By Adam B. Kahan, Vice-President,
University Advancement
BUsINEss mANAGEmENT
The Ryerson University Business Alumni Association (RUBAA) and the Certified
General Accountants (CGA) of Ontario hosted an alumni information session at
the Ted Rogers School of Management last August. More pub nights are planned
for 2008 and RUBAA is eager to see both new and old alumni. RUBAA is also
very excited that a Business alumni golf tournament is in the works for 2008. For
more information, please visit www.ryerson.ca/rubaa.
Daniel Gross, Business Management ’02, mingles with fellow alumni at the
CGA Ontario alumni information session last August.
Alumni diary
Compiled by Ryerson Alumni Relations Officer Anjela Wilson, Journalism ’06
It goes without saying that our alumni form a unique
category of university graduates.
A degree from Ryerson represents a high-quality,
career-oriented education – one that enables you
to hit the ground running after graduation. Equally
important, your credentials are recognized and
respected by employers, and community and industry
leaders alike.
Clearly, people have a high opinion of Ryerson’s
brand of higher education. But we’re not ones to sit
back and collect the compliments; we’re doing all
that we can to add even more value to your degree.
To wit: our reputation has been further enhanced
in recent years with the addition of master’s and
PhD programs. As a result, Ryerson is the leading
institution for a hands-on undergraduate education,
and we’re working to fill that role at the
graduate level, too. Simply put, our stock continues
to rise, and the dividends are shared by everyone
who has a Ryerson degree.
Today, more than 1,000 alumni have completed
their graduate studies at Ryerson. What’s more, our
graduate alumni – like those with baccalaureates
– have achieved much with their Ryerson degree.
Consider, for example, Andy Charles, Applied
Geography (BA) ’00 and Spatial Analysis (MSA) ’01.
A member of the first graduating class, Andy uses
his Spatial Analysis degree to help his employer,
Sears Canada, determine the best distribution
points for its marketing materials (read Andy’s
story on page 13).
The accomplishments of Andy, and other alumni
like him, send a clear message: Ryerson is the path
to career success whether you hold a diploma, certificate,
undergraduate or graduate degree from our
University. In fact, with such potential for achievement
linked to a Ryerson education, you might want
to return to your alma mater for graduate studies.
Without a doubt, we would welcome your real-world
knowledge and abilities.
Interested in graduate studies? Check out Ryerson’s
master’s and PhD programs: ryerson.ca/graduate
DELTA sIGmA PHI
Delta Sigma Phi alumni held their first annual golf tournament last June at the
Batteaux Creek Golf Club in Collingwood, Ont. For more information about the
Delta Sigma Phi Alumni Association or to sign up for this summer’s tournament,
e-mail alumni@ryerson.ca.
Back row, from left: John Johnson, Business Management ’67, Jim Theobalds, Business
Management ’68, Graham Pigott, Chemical and Biological Science ’67, Ian Eckardt,
Business Management ’69, Ian Ross, Business Management ’68 and Fred Ternoway,
Civil Engineering ’66. Front row, from left: John Toole, Gary Punfield, Business
Management ’70, Peter Hobb, Business Management ’75, Bob Punfield, Jim Taylor,
Business Management ’66, and Marshall Thompson, Business Management ’68.
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Ryerson Alumni of Civil Engineering (RACE) enables
you to stay involved with life at Ryerson. If you are
interested in getting involved, RACE is looking for
executive members to help provide direction, planning
and organization. Contact alumni@ryerson.ca
for more details.
RyERsON RAms HOCkEy
Congratulations to Brent Spangol and Steve Bojcun,
winners of the eighth annual Building Champions
Golf Tournament! Over $9,000 was raised for the
Ryerson Rams General Bursary Fund. To register
for the next tournament, contact Frank Sheffield
at admin@ryersonramshockey.com or visit
ryersonramshockey.com.
From left: milt Ottey, Commonwealth gold medal-
list and Canadian Olympic high jumper, and Rams
Hockey alumnus Mike Barrett relax after a day of
golf. For more photos, visit ryersonramshockey.
com.
FAsHION
Linda Lewis, Chair of the School of Fashion, visited
alumni in Hong Kong in October.
standing, from left: Wendy Wong ’02, Julyanna
Hui ’06, Dennis Pong ’90 and Tim Chow ’90.
seated: Alice Lee ’94 and Linda Lewis.
BUsINEss ADmINIsTRATION AND
sECRETARIAL sCIENCE ’57
Alumni from the class of ’57 reunited on campus
last May. The group toured the Ted Rogers
School of Management and reminisced about
their time at Ryerson.
Business Administration and secretarial science
’57 alumni finish their day outside the Ram in the
Rye pub.
THEATRE DANCE ’89
Alumni diary 27
HOsPITALITy AND TOURIsm mANAGEmENT
Divots and bogeys were the call of the day at the annual Ryerson Hospitality Alumni Association’s
(RHAA) golf tournament last May. Alumni, industry associates and faculty enjoyed a great day of golf and
fabulous prizes. With their support, over $5,000 was raised for student events, awards and scholarships.
Mark May 6, 2008 on your calendar for the next tournament!
From left: ken Otto, Boston Pizza, Dr. David Martin, Hospitality and Tourism Management ’77,
Wayne Taylor, HTM ’76 and Fred Lawlor, HTM ’79.
REUNIONs
The Theatre Dance class of ’89 recently held a
reunion in Fergus, Ont. Those who were unable
to attend sent pictures, letters and their warmest
regards. The cake read ‘Friendships are forever,’
and everyone agreed that treasured friends become
family.
From left: Chris McEwan, Theatre ’89, Tara
Restagno, ’89, Lisa Sutherland, ’89, Elizabeth
Romagnuolo, ’92 and Lydia Cavaleiro, ’89.

28 Alumni diary Alumni diary 29
Alumni Weekend 07
Alumni came from far and wide to Alumni
Weekend 2007 in September. This year,
all alumni were welcomed back to campus
with a number of new and exciting events
including fun for the whole family. The
morning began with Deans, faculty and staff
greeting alumni, followed by a barbecue
lunch in the quad and a variety of educational
The GTA swing Band plays at the alumni mixer.
opportunities in the afternoon. The day was
topped off with an alumni mixer. A total of
13 reunions took place over the weekend,
including a special 50th reunion for the class
of 1957. This year saw a 40 per cent increase
in participants over previous years. Plans are
already underway for Alumni Weekend 2008,
and we hope you’ll join us!
Eggy the Ram talks to a potential future Ryerson alumna.
The class of 1957 celebrates an exciting 50 years at their reunion.
Ryerson Ram Oleh Kovalchuk, Public Administration and Governance
‘08, hits against the Canadian men’s masters team at the Alumni
Weekend athletic event.
metallurgical Technology class of 1957.
members of the Rams women’s volleyball team give a campus tour.
For more Alumni Weekend photos, please visit
ryerson.ca/alumni/alumniweekend.
members of the class of 1967 gather in the student Campus Centre.
Alumni and friends enjoy a wine tasting hosted by the Canadian signature
Wine Company.
The class of 1982 reunites at the alumni mixer.

30 Alumni diary
REGIONAL EVENTs
TORONTO
Sixty alumni living in and around Toronto joined us last summer at the Mill
Street Brewery in the city’s unique Distillery District for a brewery tour and
beer tasting. Another group of alumni came together in early August to cheer
on the Toronto Blue Jays against the New York Yankees. If you live in the GTA
and would like to know more about events happening near you, e-mail us at
alumni@ryerson.ca.
OTTAWA
CALGARy
WORLD
Ottawa alumni said goodbye to a group of Ryerson’s newest students last August when
they hosted their first-ever Student Send Off. To get involved with the Ottawa group and to
keep informed about upcoming events, e-mail alumni@ryerson.ca.
FLORIDA
Alumni on a private tour of mill street Brewery last July.
Alumni met in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida at the home of Lorne Karlson,
Chemical and Biological Science ’63, and his wife Deborah.
Alumni in Calgary gathered at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary last April.
From left: Bill Watson, Radio and Television Arts ’63, Karl Gibbie, Chemical
and Biological Science ’56, and Jim Milliken, Business Management ’54.
Alumni have been coming together all over the world! Last year, receptions were
held in Florida, New York City, Calgary and Hong Kong. Come out and meet
alumni living in your city. To keep up to date with upcoming events happening
near you, visit www.ryerson.ca/alumni.
Do you have a
second residence?
An alumni event may be in the works where
you vacation. Don’t miss out! Keep us updated
about your home-away-from-home by e-mailing
alumni@ryerson.ca.
Say “cheese”
We welcome photos of alumni events. Please
follow these guidelines:
> E-mail high-resolution photos (300 dots-per-inch
or more) to ryemag@ryerson.ca. Please write
ALUMNI DIARY in the subject line.
> Mail prints to the address on the submission form
on page 43. Include your mailing address if you wish
to have prints returned. All photos must include:
- names, programs and graduation years of those
photographed
- event details (name, date, location, etc.)
Submissions may be edited for space and/or clarity.
Y
1
There’s A Message In These Bottles
Introduce Your Palate To A Glass Of Ryerson Wine
The Office of Alumni Relations
is proud to introduce Ryerson
wines. After much blind tasting,
Ryerson has selected the Strewn
Winery of Niagara-on-the-Lake
to produce two unique vintages
for Ryersonians. They include
a 2004 Cabernet Merlot and a
2006 Riesling Gewurztraminer.
Strewn is an award-winning
winery from the Niagara
Peninsula which coincidentally
has a Ryerson alumna, Jane
Langdon, as its co-owner.
Now is the time to conduct
your own tasting. Call tollfree
at 1-866-415-9463 to
order your wine today.
Here’s how to order:
1-866-415-9463
www.ryerson.ca/alumni

32 Internationally educated professionals
Unwritten rules of the workplace
Training new Canadians on the dos and don’ts of on-the-job communication
By Morgan Holmes
Have you ever thought an al fresco luncheon would
be the perfect setting to finalize the budget with
your new business partner in Naples, only to see a
look of dismay cross her face each time you broach
business? Or perhaps in Japan, you snatched your
host’s business card with one hand and stashed it
in your purse before noticing her annoyed frown.
Anyone who has travelled outside Canada has likely
encountered situations such as these, in which all the
familiar norms governing human interaction seem
to have vanished.
Canada is no exception. Here, we also engage in
many tacit ways of speaking and behaving, especially
in the workplace. Imagine how disorienting these
unwritten rules can be for recent immigrants. Should
you call your manager by her first name? When is it
appropriate to offer advice to your supervisor? What
are the non-verbal cues that reveal your client has
fully understood you?
Last fall, Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang
School of Continuing Education launched its
Professional Communication for Employment
(PCE) program, aimed at teaching new Canadians
the “soft skills” they need to flourish in their careers.
The program is part of The Chang School’s Gateway
for International Professionals, an educational
umbrella that offers specialized training for
newcomers in the fields of accounting, social work
and finance, among others.
Recent demographic changes underscore the need
for such programs. According to Statistics Canada,
about two-thirds of the country’s population growth
in the last five years has come from immigration.
Yet it is widely known that many new Canadians
are not able to find suitable employment. Phil
Schalm, Program Director for Gateway, believes
that, “unless we can leverage newcomers’ potential
‘brain gain,’ Canada risks a significant economic
and cultural crisis.”
When Schalm and his colleagues were deciding which
elements to include in Gateway, employers told them
a lack of appropriate communication skills was the
main obstacle to hiring internationally educated
professionals. “Our flexible curriculum targets
soft-skills training, emphasizing team-building,
negotiation, critical thinking and pronunciation,”
says PCE Program Manager Nava Israel. “Currently,
the program focuses on health and human services,
business and information technology.”
The program’s experiential approach makes learning
easier for its students. They engage in simulated
interactions, reflect on experiences, and practice
new behaviours in a safe environment. Dietitians,
for example, might engage in exercises that model
how to gather information from multicultural clients
while simulations may help them refine specific
skills, such as listening strategies.
Mentoring is another of the program’s tools.
Established professionals, especially other
newcomers who have successfully transitioned
into the Canadian workplace, can help new
Canadians acclimatize to their new culture, says
Schalm. “By sharing their networks, advice and
support, mentors help internationally educated
professionals link into the Canadian economy.”
As well as empowering learners, the PCE program
also benefits Canadian employers. Recognizing the
bottom-line value of having internationally educated
professionals become comfortable in the Canadian
workplace, a fleet of major organizations – including
Five tips on workplace
communication
in Canada
n Remember the “3 Cs”: clarity,
conciseness and confidence.
n 90 per cent of successful business
communication depends on delivery –
body language, tone of voice – while
10 per cent depends on content.
n E-mail has its limits; choose the
communication mode that suits
the situation.
n Informal communication – like
hallway and lunchroom chats – can
help you find out what’s really going
on at your workplace.
n Canadians value self-assurance. Gain
your employer’s respect by looking her in
the eye and politely stating your views.
many banks and insurance firms, the Information
and Communications Technology Council, and the
Investment Counsel Association of Canada – are
involved in the PCE program’s design and delivery.
As Schalm puts it, “Access to a large, diversified and
employment-ready pool of competent professionals
with international experience is critical to employers
who want to survive and grow in a globalized
marketplace.”
Congratulations
to the 2007 Sports and Recreation
Hall of Fame inductees!
Builder: Lyn McVey, Women's Athletic Director, 1957-1963
Leader: Bill Wiggins, Convener, 1975-1978
Athletes: Scott Belasco, Basketball, 1993-1997
Bill Spurrell, Diving, 1974-1978
Claire King, Volleyball, 1971-1975
Caroline (Borsutzky) Klemens, Basketball, 1983-1987
For more photos from the 2007 Hall of Fame event, visit
www.ryerson.ca/alumni/photogallery/alumniweekend07.
Working for the good of Ryerson
A career without borders
By Andy Lee
NEw VICE-ChAIR
Never underestimate a librarian.
Phyllis Yaffe, the new Vice-Chair of Ryerson’s
Board of Governors, began her career as
a Winnipeg librarian in 1972 and went
on to become Chief Executive Officer of
Alliance Atlantis Communications in 2005.
In between, she enjoyed successful stints as Vice-
President of Marketing at Owl Communications,
Executive Director of the Association of Canadian
Publishers and Chief Operating Officer at
Alliance Atlantis.
“ Ryerson is
downtown Toronto’s
best kept secret.”
Along the way, Ms. Yaffe was named the Canadian
Women in Communications 1999 Woman of the
Year and received the Lifetime Achievement
Award from Women in Film and Television
in 2000. In 2006, she was included on the
Women’s Executive Network’s list of Canada’s
100 Most Powerful Women, along with fellow
Board member Janice Fukakusa.
“Life is a path,” says Ms. Yaffe. “Mine just seems
a little more unusual than others.”
In 2005, her path led her to Ryerson. “I chose
Ryerson in particular because Alliance Atlantis
has been a big employer of Radio and Television
Arts graduates and I knew that it had an
extremely good reputation.”
As Vice-Chair, Ms. Yaffe hopes to help Ryerson
become a greater force in the city. “Ryerson
is downtown Toronto’s best kept secret,” she
says. “It’s a great opportunity to be part of an
institution that is changing so much.”
Although she is unsure where her career will take
her next, Ms. Yaffe says she has “enjoyed every
minute of it” so far. Indeed, she encourages
alumni to continue learning and never limit
themselves.
“I’m still learning every day,” she says. “What
you went to school to be and what you wind
up being are so different over time.”
She is living proof.
ROBERT CARMONA JOINS BOARD
The winner of the most recent election of
alumni to the Ryerson Board of Governors
is Robert Carmona, Information Technology
Management ‘05. A Senior Analyst in New
Product Development for Scotiabank’s
Global Transaction Banking division, Robert
was Business Faculty Director on the Board of
Directors for the Ryerson Student’s Union.
If you would like to run for a seat on the Board,
see the ad on page 34 for details.
To see profiles of all members of the Board,
and to learn more about the Board’s roles and
responsibilities, visit ryerson.ca/governors
Phyllis Yaffe, CEO of Alliance Atlantis
Communications Inc., is the new Vice-Chair
of Ryerson’s Board of Governors.
For the good of Ryerson 33
Ryerson’s Board of Governors is the governing body of the University. Its 24 members consist of the Chancellor, the President, three students,
three faculty members, two administrative staff members, three alumni representatives, two Board appointees and nine Lieutenant-Governorin-Council
appointees. Together, they make major administrative policy, staff and financial decisions that serve Ryerson’s best interests. Here,
we profile Phyllis Yaffe, the Board’s new Vice-Chair.

Run FoR RyeRson!
Play a role in the governance oF the UniverSity.
RUN fOR AN ALUMNI SEAT ON ThE RYERSON BOARD
Of GOvERNORS.
“Being a Board member has been a fulfilling
and rewarding experience. As an alumnus, I
have remained very active with the University
over the years and have hired 18 graduates.
My experience on the Board has enabled
me to contribute my skills to a diverse and
knowledgeable group, and has enriched me
as an individual.”
Robert Cockerill, Graphic Communications Management ’73
ALUMNI BOARD MEMBER
It’s a rewarding opportunity: to serve as an alumni
representative on the Ryerson Board of Governors. As
one of 24 Board members, you’ll serve an important role
in the governance and future of Ryerson University.
This summer, graduates will elect one of three alumni
representatives to the Board. It could be you. To learn
more about the roles and responsibilities of the Board of
Governors, visit www.ryerson.ca/governors.
Thinking of running? Ryerson will help you get your
campaign message to alumni through the University’s
website and Alumni magazine.
For more inFormation, contact:
catherine redmond
assistant Secretary of the Board
Board Secretariat office
tel: 416-979-5000, ext. 6608
Fax: 416-598-5951
e-mail: credmond@ryerson.ca
NOMINATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY
Friday, February 29, 2008.
The Ryerson University Alumni Association
Stay in Touch... Get Involved... Enjoy the Benefits!
The Alumni Relations Office is dedicated to providing programs
and services for alumni and friends to keep you engaged in the
life and work of the University.
These initiatives include:
• Free subscription to Ryerson Alumni magazine.
• Personalized Alumni Card and Alumni Discount Program.
• Exclusive group rates for home and auto insurance, life
insurance and associated products, wealth management,
and the Ryerson MasterCard.
• Support for program-based Alumni Associations, regional
Branches and shared-interest Chapters.
• Annual Alumni Weekend events and festivities.
• Recognizing excellence through the Alumni Achievement Awards.
• RU Online, Ryerson’s alumni online community.
• Opportunities to advance Ryerson through volunteerism,
leadership, patronage and philanthropic support.
For these reasons, and more, we encourage you to keep the
Alumni Relations Office up-to-date on changes to your contact
information, as well as marriages, family additions, career
changes and accomplishments.
The Alumni RelATions office
416-979-5018 / 1-866-428-8881
alumni@ryerson.ca / www.ryerson.ca/alumni
www.ruonline.ryerson.ca
Alumnews
Compiled by Christine Julien-Sullivan, Journalism ’97
50s
Carolyn (Armstrong) Walton, Journalism ’55
– writes: “My husband Ross and I have moved to
Vancouver Island. I am still writing for Good Times
magazine and have received my fourth international
first prize award for travel writing from the North
American Travel Journalists Association.”
Art Gaudier, Radio and Television Arts ’54 – is
retired and living in the mountains of Georgia in the
winter and Nova Scotia in the summer. He writes:
“Enjoying a great life with a new and wonderful partner,
June. Still golfing, walking, sailing and having fun.”
Ron Parks Guariento, Radio and Television Arts
’52 – is retired and living in the ancient kingdom of
Northumbria, England, which he describes as “a tranquil
country scene in Hadrian’s Wall.” Editor’s note:
Hadrian’s Wall is a stone and turf fortification built by
the Romans across the width of modern-day England.
Alvar Randa, Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering ’57 and Margaret (McPhail) Randa,
Early Childhood Education ’55 – celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary June 15, 2007 in Midland,
Ont. Alvar worked as an industrial engineer in several
North Bay and Midland firms before retiring in 1998.
Margaret worked in nursery schools in Toronto and later
taught in elementary schools in North Bay and Midland
after completing teachers college. They have three
children and seven grandchildren, enjoy seeing exotic
places and keep in touch with a few fellow grads.
60s
Ken Clark, Civil Engineering ’67 – writes: “I retired
from teaching math in 2001 after 32 years. My wife,
also a retired teacher, and I now live in Almonte, Ont.
where we have a small tutoring service. We spend four
months of the year at our cottage in Prince Edward
Island. In addition, I make homemade wine, and trav-
el throughout Canada and the U.S. We ski in winter
and play golf in summer. Our two children, Adam,
27, and Dana, 23, are close to us in the Ottawa area.
Adam works in landscaping and Dana is continuing
her education at Carleton University. Life is good – I
enjoy good health and happiness.”
70s
David Butler, Business Administration ’72 – retired
at the end of 2006 after 34 years in fundraising and
related positions. David, the former Director of Alumni
Affairs and Assistant Director of Alumni at Ryerson,
is renovating an 80-year-old home in Hamilton, Ont.
and enjoying retirement with his wife Ann and their
five grandchildren.
Alumnews 35
John Daniel Dooley, Journalism ’76 - is a founding
partner in the Barrie, Ont. law firm Purser Dooley
Cockburn Smith. He also served as President of the
Simcoe County Law Association and Vice-President of
the Barrie Country Club. Dan and his wife Elizabeth
have two teenage children. They enjoy bicycling and
skiing in the Barrie-Collingwood area.
Anthony Jim, Civil Engineering ’77 - is an engineer
at the Toronto Transit Commission. In 2001, he
began sketching the houses he would walk past during
his lunch-hour strolls in Wychwood Park, a tiny, historic
gated enclave. By 2006, he had drawn 58 of the
60 heritage homes. (The other two were under renovation).
Anthony sold all the drawings, most of them
to the homeowners, and raised more than $10,000,
which he donated to the United Way. “It’s fun,” he
Tonya Lee Williams, Theatre ’79 – received the African-Canadian Achievement Award in May 2007 in
recognition of her contributions to the North American arts community. Perhaps best known for her 15
years as Dr. Olivia Winters on the daytime drama The Young and the Restless, Tonya is also the founder,
President and Executive Director of ReelWorld Film Festival and the ReelWorld Foundation, dedicated
to promoting the excellence and achievement of emerging diversity in film, video and new media.
From left: David Singh, Chair and CEO, Destiny Group of Companies; Tonya Lee Williams, Theatre ’79; Joan Pierre, President and
Executive Director, ACAA; and Michael Van Cooten, Founder and CEO, ACAA.

36 Alumnews
Alumnews 37
told the National Post, who profiled him in Nov. 2006.
“I improved my sketching skills by doing some good
for the United Way. And some people invited me in
to have a drink or tea!”
Eric Morham, Business Management ’79 – writes:
“After leaving Toronto in the mid-1980s, I joined
Heineken Beer. My family and I moved to Amsterdam,
where we lived for five years before moving to New
York City, where I led the North American sales team.
After seven years in NYC, I was hired as President and
CEO of Delicato Family Vineyards in Napa, Calif.
In 2005, Constellation Wines hired me to run their
international division out of San Francisco. Today we
export our wines to 70 countries around the world and
Canada is one of our preferred markets.”
Jim Paterson, Business ’73 - retired in March 2005
from General Motors of Canada in Oshawa after
32 years. He would like to hear from classmates at
jpatern222@rogers.com.
Jeff W. Peters, Business Administration ’77 – is
Director of Planning and Governance at the Canada
Revenue Agency. He writes: “After 30 years in the computer
systems field, I was appointed to the executive
group of the CRA in IMIT Management.”
Maxine Phair, Chemical Laboratory Technology
’77 – writes: “After graduating, I worked for 11 years at
the Centre of Forensic Sciences, then worked for a large
scientific instrument sales company for three years. I
started a small scientific consumables company with
two other partners for three years then decided to run
my own company, selling scientific instruments across
Canada and in Colorado. I retired in 2006 at the age of
50 and am now enjoying every bit of retirement: my
days are filled with gardening, travel and family.”
Diane Semple-Patille, Nursing ’75 – writes that her
daughter Erin Davies is in her final year of the Graphic
Communications Management program at Ryerson.
She adds: “I divorced and happily remarried to Paul
Patille, an OCAD grad.”
Barry Shainbaum, Image Arts ’79 – is a professional
photographer, speaker, author and broadcaster. His
book Hope & Heroes features 47 Canadian and international
figures who have made a positive contribution
to society. Barry is a motivational speaker who draws
on his previous battle with bipolar disorder to inspire
Norma Vale, Journalism ’74 – has published The Do-Gooder’s Diet:
A Novel Approach to Permanent Weight Loss (and How to Make the
World a Better Place). Based on the latest research, The Do-Gooder’s
Diet is both a practical weight loss program and the story of six
characters who wrestle with their food demons and win. Norma, an
award-winning writer and editor, lives in Toronto with her husband
George, also a writer. She gives a portion of the proceeds from the sale
of The Do-Gooder’s Diet to help fund interest-free loans to budding
entrepreneurs in the developing world.
his audiences. In addition, he produces and hosts the
radio show Perspectives with Barry Shainbaum, which
airs in Kitchener and Woodstock, Ont. The program
can be heard online at barryshainbaum.com.
80s
Zsuzsanna (Adlington) Gurdonyi, Library Arts
’82 – opened the White Elephant Tea House in 2006
in Franklin, Maine. She has exhibited her artwork in
Bar Harbour, Maine and plans to pursue a Masters
in Rehabilitation to work with the elderly and people
with disabilities.
Patricia (Austin) Hayward, Environmental Health
’89 – is a librarian at the International School in
Hamburg, Germany. She writes: “I have been living
in Hamburg, a beautiful city, for more than 11
years. Although not a practicing health inspector at the
moment, I am still involved with health issues through
teaching English for Special Purposes to non-native
English speakers.”
Carol-Ann (Baker) Fox, Hospitality and Tourism
Management ’84 – is Manager of Volunteer Services
with WoodGreen Community Services in Toronto. She
writes: “Since leaving Ryerson, my career and life have
been quite full. I am enjoying my professional life,
working with many individuals who need support in
building their own career by volunteering. My training
in hospitality gave me the necessary skills to meet
the demands of this current job. I have a great family
- two children and a wonderful husband.”
Bill Bishop, Journalism ’82 – has published
How to Sell a Lobster: The Money-Making Secrets
of a Streetwise Entrepreneur. Bill owns the
Bishop Information Group.
Ron deRuyter, Journalism ’82 – is Business Editor
of The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo).
He joined The Record in 1986 as a labour reporter. An
active volunteer, he has served as a board member of
the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and Chair of the
advisory council of The Journey, a community church
in Waterloo. Last February, he was one of 14 volunteers
who constructed a building at a children’s sports
camp in the western highlands of Guatemala.
Josie Erent, Business Management ’89 – is President
and CEO of Silicon Executive Search Inc. She writes: “I
am expanding my employment agency to the U.S market,
to assist American top talent get great jobs with
corporations in software, consumer packaged goods
and retail industries. I am open to being contacted by
other Ryerson alumni regarding Canadian and U.S. job
opportunities in these industries.” She can be reached
at josie_erent@yahoo.com.
Michael Goran, Radio and Television Arts ’83 –
writes: “I’ve been married five years, we bought a house
in early 2007, and I am now in my ninth year of running
my own coaching and consulting communications
practice, CorpJesters.” Visit corpjesters.com.
Robert J. Hoshowsky, Journalism ’89 – published The Last to Die:
Ronald Turpin, Arthur Lucas, and the End of Capital Punishment in
Canada, about the lives and deaths of the last two men to be hanged in
Canada. The book, which features a foreword by Peter C. Newman, is
the result of more than five years of research and features crime scene
photos and never-before-published documents. Robert has contributed
to more than 100 magazines and newspapers, including Maclean’s
(where he worked for five years), the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star,
Homemaker’s and La Presse. He has also contributed to such television
programs as the Canadian edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and
written more than a dozen educational CD-ROMs.
Judith Hayes, Office and Administrative Studies
’80 – writes that she is “semi-retired - involved in
the community as a Governor of Fleming College,
on the local Grant Review Team of the Ontario
Trillium Foundation, as a Director of the Kawartha
Lakes Association of Volunteer Administrators and
a Board member of Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition.”
Michael Jan, Civil Engineering ’85 and Maureen (Eng) Jan,
Fashion ’83.
Michael Jan, Civil Engineering ’85 and Maureen
(Eng) Jan, Fashion ’83 – celebrated their 22nd wedding
anniversary with a tour of Italy and Switzerland in
May 2007. They have a 16-year-old daughter, Paulina.
Michael is based in Dubai, UAE, working as a Project
Manager, and Maureen is a GMAC International
Assignment Consultant, based in Singapore. Michael
can be reached at mjan2003@yahoo.com and anyone
interested in visiting or working in Asia, or simply
reconnecting, can contact Maureen at maureenjan@
yahoo.com.
Gerry Jeffcott, Journalism ’85 – writes: “I have spent
more than 15 years in the health and pharmaceutical
policy area as a staff member with the national trade
association representing the research-based pharmaceutical
industry, with individual pharmaceutical companies
and as a consultant to industry. I have recently
re-established my consulting practice and am working
with a wide variety of industry players and associated
stakeholders on a range of policy-related initiatives.”
Fred Kuntz, Journalism ’82 – received an honorary
doctorate of letters from Wilfrid Laurier University in
June 2007. Fred is Editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star
and the former Publisher of The Record (Kitchener,
Cambridge and Waterloo). Introduced by Wilfrid
Laurier Chancellor and former Ontario Premier Bob
Rae as “a distinguished Canadian citizen,” Fred spoke
to the graduates about the importance of integrity in
business. After working part-time at the Toronto Sun
and Toronto Star throughout his studies, he held a
number of roles at The Star for 19 years before being
appointed Associate Editor of the Globe and Mail in
2000. In 2001, he was named Group Publisher of
Grand Valley Newspapers, including The Record and
The Guelph Mercury.
Kamal Naamani
Kamal Naamani, Hotel, Resort and Restaurant
Management ’82 – is General Manager of the
Fairmont Dubai. Following senior management positions
at the Edmonton Convention Centre and Hilton
International, he joined Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
at its Banff Springs location in 1993, moving to the
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in 1997, and later, the
Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda, in 2000. Prior to
his appointment, Kamal had served as Hotel Manager at
the Fairmont Dubai since 2001.
Marisa Rank, Office and Administrative Studies
’88 – writes: “I have been working as a Business
Studies teacher in Brantford with the Grand Erie
District School Board since 1991. I teach Computer
Applications, E-Business and Entrepreneurial Studies.
I was recently recognized by the Brantford Chamber of
Commerce for my contributions in assisting youth in
developing business plans for the Ontario Secondary
School Business Plan Competition.”
Luc Savard, Environmental Health ’89 – obtained
his PhD in Economics at l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en
Sciences Sociales in Paris, France, and is now Professor
of Economics at Sherbrooke University.
Tim Smilovsky, Industrial Engineering ’81 – is living
in Orangeville and his son is studying Aerospace
Engineering at Ryerson.
Robert Starr, Journalism ’86 – is a Professional
Editor with WordsRU and the author of two novels,
The Apple Lady and Creek Water, as well as a short story
collection. Watch for his upcoming short story collection,
Manila Envelopes. Visit robstarr.org.
Leanne Styles, Early Childhood Education ’81 –
left Community Living Mississauga-Preschool Services
in 2004 after 15 years. She is currently Program
Coordinator at Reach for the Rainbow (RFTR) in
Toronto, an agency that assists children and youth
with disabilities and their families attend summer
camps and recreational community programs. In addition
to training, educational and disability awareness
sessions, Leanne also runs sibling workshops in the
GTA and Halton regions as a new initiative at RFTR.
Leanne lives in Oakville, Ont. with her husband David.
They have three sons, Tristan, Teague and Lachlan.
Craig Thompson, Journalism ’82 – has published
An Artist’s and Photographer’s Guide to Wild Ontario,
a travel guide that follows in the footsteps of the
Group of Seven, taking readers to the great scenic
landscapes of Ontario and providing a review of galleries,
studio tours, as well as art and photography
workshops. Craig is Executive Producer of Ballinran
Productions Limited and has produced a two-part
docudrama on the Irish famine and the catastrophic
impact it had on Toronto in 1847. The film was commissioned
by History Television in Canada and RTE
Irish public television.
Kelly (Young) Eliopoulos, Hospitality and
Tourism Management ’88 – gave birth to a daughter,
Alexandria, on June 15, 2006.
90s
Rick Bagshaw, Applied Chemistry and Biology
’95 – completed his PhD at the Faculty of Medicine
with the collaborative program in Neuroscience at
the University of Toronto. Rick, his wife Elizabeth
Dacunah, Applied Chemistry and Biology ’98 and
daughter Sarah welcomed Thomas into the family in
January 2007.
Manish Bharati, Chemical Engineering ’95 – writes:
“After completing my MEng and PhD in Chemical
Engineering at McMaster University, I worked at
Dofasco for a year as an Automation Analyst. Since
2004, I have been working for Shell Global Solutions
in Houston, Texas.” He married Pooja in 2000 and
they welcomed a baby girl, Aastha, in 2005. “These
days both of us are busy taking care of our little one,”
he adds.
Vladimir Jon Cubrt, Theatre ’95 – played the
lead role in Flin Flonning, the inaugural show of his
production company, Zocalo Toronto. The play’s run
at Toronto’s Diesel Playhouse in May 2007 marked
the world premiere.
Alexandra, daughter of Marisa
(Ferrari) Santek, Nutrition ’90 and
Steve Santek.
Marisa (Ferrari) Santek, Nutrition ’90 – married
Steve Santek in 1997 and they have a daughter,
Alexandra, born Jan. 16, 2007.
Lizabeth (Ferreira) Perez, Business Management
’90 – writes: “After graduation, I started working for
a safe company as sales manager and am enjoying the
challenges it brings. I married in 1992 and have three
wonderful children.”

38 Alumnews
Alumnews 39
Matthew Hornburg,
RTA ’98.
Mark Bishop,
RTA ’98.
Matthew Hornburg, Radio
and Television Arts ’98 –
received Producer of the Year
honours at the 2007 Canadian
New Media Awards in May last
year for his work on Shorts in
Motion: The Art of Seduction and
www.thisisemilyyeung.com.
Matt is Partner and Executive
Producer of marblemedia, an
independent production company
best known for its hit preschool
series This is Daniel Cook
and This is Emily Yeung. Matt
and fellow Partner/Executive
Producer Mark Bishop, RTA ’98, received the Banff
World Television Festival’s 2007 Lions Gate/Maple
Pictures Innovative Producer of the Year award in
June 2007.
Sylvia Hudson, Social Work ’95 – is Vice-Chair
of the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police
Services. She writes: “The foundation of my education
at Ryerson is playing an important role in my
job as an adjudicator. For example, hearing appeals
of police disciplinary decisions, disputes, reduction,
abolition, amalgamation of police services, reviews of
decisions relating to public complaints, and the general
enforcement relating to the adequacy and effectiveness
of policing services.”
John David Hum, Social Work ’98 – writes: “With
more than eight years of financial experience, I have
decided to venture out as an independent consultant.”
He can be reached at (416) 299-9125 or jcahum@rogers.com.
Angelina Kekich, Fashion ’99 – won top honours in
the 2006 reality show, Making It Big, a Life Network
series offering professionals in different careers a
chance to connect with industry experts and work
with a mentor. She recently worked as a costume
designer on the television series Blood Ties.
Piper McKinnon, Image Arts ’97 – writes: “After
graduating, I freelanced for a number of years, and
still do. In 1999, I returned to my hometown of St.
Thomas to run the family business, and in 2005, decided
to go back to school. I completed a diploma in GIS
and am now working as a cartographer and web programmer.”
Jen Rusterholz-Bell, Theatre ’96 – is happily married
and living in Europe. She owns a dance school
in Zurich, Switzerland. Visit tanzschulekuesnacht.ch.
Edgar Sanchez, Business Management ’95 –
married Laila on March 24, 2007. They live in
Toronto with their Labrador retriever puppy, Fufon.
Edgar would like to hear from his classmates at
www.edyla.com or sanchez@edyla.com.
Shane Schick, Journalism ’96 and Jennifer Connor.
Shane Schick, Journalism ’96 – writes: “In 2006,
I married the love of my life, Jennifer Connor, who
is pursuing a master’s degree in theology at Trinity
College, University of Toronto. Also in 2006, I won
the Innovation Award for Excellence in Science and
Lynn Dana Wilton, Interior Design ’91 – celebrated her 40th birthday in 2007. She writes:
“I’m happily animating and building in Halifax for the stop-motion children’s series Lunar Jim
(season two) airing on CBC and around the world.”
From left: Ripple, T.E.D., Rover, Lunar Jim and Eco. Lunar Jim is produced by Halifax Film, a DHX Media Company, and
Alliance Atlantis Communications.
Technology Reporting from the Canadian Advanced
Technology Alliance, an information technology
industry association. I have taken on the leadership
of ComputerWorld Canada, a bi-weekly newspaper
for IT professionals, and I am writing a column about
technology every two weeks for the Report on Business
section of the Globe and Mail.”
Chris Siedel, Hospitality and Tourism Management
’91 – writes: “We moved from Toronto in 2006
to wine country in Niagara and are currently living in
St. Catharines, enjoying life with our three-year-old,
Benjamin, and our newest addition, Nathan, born in
Jan. 2007.”
Heather (Thom) Stukalo, Nutrition ’93 and
Bohdan Stukalo, Journalism ’90 – were married
in 2003. They have a daughter, Orianna Elizabeth,
born Oct. 31, 2006.
Marva Walsh-Smart, Administration and Information
Management ’91 – married David Smart in
Jamaica in April 2006 in the company of 85 friends
and family members. They moved into their first house
in spring 2007.
Marva Walsh-Smart, Administration and
Information Management ’91 and David Smart.
Aisha Wickham Thomas, Radio and Television
Arts ’96 – married Basil Thomas in 2004 and gave
birth to son Jabari Addae Thomas Oct. 26, 2006.
Daisy Wright, Public Administration ’99 – launched
her business, Career Management, in 2003 after graduating
from Conestoga College’s Career Development
Practitioner Program. She was the first graduate of that
program to write and publish a book, a career survival
guide for new immigrants called No Canadian
Experience, Eh?.
00s
Paula (Barata) Wood, Publishing Certificate ‘02 and James
D. H. Wood
Paula (Barata) Wood, Publishing Certificate ’02 –
is Production Manager at Random House of Canada.
She married James D. H. Wood June 2, 2007.
Malcolm Owen, son of
Joseph Bonar, Theatre ’00
and Stacey (Woodward)
Bonar, Theatre ’02.
Joseph Bonar, Theatre ’00
and Stacey (Woodward)
Bonar, Theatre ’02 – were
married January 21st, 2006
in Hamilton, Ont. and
welcomed their first child,
Malcolm Owen, March
28, 2007 at the Greater
Niagara General Hospital
in Niagara Falls, Ont. Both
Joe and Stacey are working
at the Shaw Festival as backstage technicians.
Gordon Bristow, Business Management ’06 –
writes: “Since graduation, I moved twice in less than
a year! All work-related of course. If there is anything I
remember from my time at Ryerson, it was that mobility
for work is a good thing! So far it’s been great! I
moved to Calgary for a job with Imperial Oil and shortly
after, I was promoted and was asked to move again.
I have just bought my first house in Regina, where I am
the industrial sales representative for lubricants, servicing
Saskatchewan and Western Manitoba.”
Kendra (Coard) Reesor, Theatre ’02 – writes: “It’s
amazing how my time at Ryerson shaped my life.
Although I went to school for Theatre Technical
Production, I majored in Administration, which is my
current field of work. I also opened a small business
making jewelry - thanks to the courses I took at the
Theatre School. Obtaining my Fine Arts degree was
by far the best thing I ever did. Not only did I learn
practical skills that I use on a daily basis, I also learned
how to build virtually anything I would ever want! I
feel like I have the perfect balance between a great
job and practical use of my art skills to bring in an
extra paycheque!”
Chantel (Guertin) Simmons, Journalism ’00 –
published her first book, Stuck in Downward Dog, in
May 2007. The novel follows twentysomething Mara
Brennan’s quest for perfection – finding the perfect
job, creating the perfect home, cooking the perfect
meal and being the perfect friend. Chantel, who lives
in Toronto with her husband, is the Publisher and
Editor-in-chief of Elevate magazine and a columnist
at Sweetspot.ca. Previously, she was Assistant Beauty
Editor at Elle Canada and Assistant Editor at TV Guide.
She has written for Reader’s Digest, MoneySense, Elle
Canada, the Toronto Sun, as well as HGTV, Slice, W
Network and the Food Network. She was named one
of the National Post’s “Ones to Watch” in 2007. Visit
chantelsimmons.com.
Lieah Christine, Image Arts ’05 – writes: “I live
in Toronto where I work for the Durham Regional
Police in the Forensic Identification Unit as the
Digital Image Analyst. As well, I own a photography
company called Scopophilia Productions with
my business partner Kelly Wray, Journalism ’05,
who works as a TV production co-ordinator. Last
year, we completed the photography and design
for the latest album by the country music group
The Wilkinsons.” Visit scopophilia.ca.
Julie (Filzmaier) Vesely, Nursing ’03 – is a Public
Health Nurse working in Communicable Disease
Control at Vancouver Coastal Health. She writes: “I
married Dr. Alex Vesely in 2005 in St. Lucia. My husband
is doing a five-year residency in Anaesthesia with
UBC. We moved to Victoria, B.C. in 2005 for a year
and will now spend four years in Vancouver. I began
my new job at Vancouver Coastal Health in March
2007. Previously, I was with Fraser Health in Burnaby
as a Public Health Nurse for women and new babies
but my real interest is communicable diseases.”
Sean Follwell, Mechanical Engineering ’01 – married
Kathleen in 2005 and they welcomed their first
child in July 2007.
Richard Kivell, Public Administration Certificate
’02 – was appointed a Justice of the Peace in the
Ontario Court of Justice in June 2007. Formerly a
police officer, he most recently helped co-ordinate
the integrated dispatch and records management
system across a number of municipal police services
for the Ontario Police Technology and Information
Cooperative. He has also served as a Superintendent

40 Alumnews 41
with the Halton Regional Police Service, a Senior
Investigator at the Ontario Civilian Commission on
Police Services and an Adjudicator in police discipline
tribunals in Halton, Sarnia and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Richard has served as President of the Board of
Directors for the Halton Children’s Aid Foundation
and a member of the Cops Care committee, which
raises funds for community hospitals and cancer
research.
Anastasia (Kozelko) Rioux, Radio and Television
Arts ’00 – writes: “My husband and I celebrated our
fifth wedding anniversary in 2006 with our first child,
Noah, born in Feb. 2006. I returned from maternity
leave to take on the role of Special Education Teacher
at my school.”
Wayne Kupferschmidt, Mechanical Engineering ’01 and
Charlotte Dawe.
Wayne Kupferschmidt, Mechanical Engineering
’01 – married Charlotte Dawe in her hometown of
Clarke’s Beach, Nfld. on April 23, 2005.
Julian Luo, Computer Science ’06 – writes: “I am
currently living near L.A. working as a video game
developer for Infinity Ward Inc., the makers of the
Call of Duty game series.”
Anne Malo, Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector
Management Certificate ’05 – is the proud firsttime
grandmother of Katilyn Mary Malo, daughter
of Gordon and Becky Malo.
Tara (McLean) Ranger, Retail Management ’03 and Roger
Ranger.
Tara (McLean) Ranger, Retail Management ’03 –
married Roger Ranger June 2, 2007 in Orillia, Ont.
Rory Meesters, Public Administration and
Governance ’05 – completed a Master of Arts in
Political Science at McMaster University in 2006 and
is working as a Sales Representative/Account Manager
for American Greetings’ head office.
Roseline Ochola, Hospitality and Tourism
Management ’03 – relocated to the U.K. in 2006 to
be closer to her family and explore working in a different
country. She writes: “Moving was one of the best
decisions I have made. I am busy pursuing qualifications
in the U.K. financial services industry and planning my
wedding scheduled for January 2008.”
Mark Peros
Mark Peros, Fashion ’01 – is training for the 2008
Summer Olympics in the sport of fencing. Following a
bronze medal win in men’s sabre at the Commonwealth
Fencing Championships in 2006, he decided to commit
the next 18 months to his fencing training, putting
his fashion design business on hold.
Natasha Persaud, Business Management ’01 –
received her Master of Education degree at U of T/
OISE last June.
Chryslin (Ramsubick) and John Tziortzis, both
Information Technology Management ’04.
Chryslin (Ramsubick) and John Tziortzis, both
Information Technology Management ’04 – are
both pursuing their MBA in the Management of
Technology and Innovation at Ryerson. The couple
married July 7, 2007. The wedding featured a
luck theme, to complement the date of the ceremony
(7/7/07) and was filmed for the Rich Bride,
Poor Bride television show, to air this year on the
Slice network.
John-Paul Trutnau, Radio and Television Arts
’02 – launched Filmbay.com, a global independent
film community and shop, in 2007. He is the
firm’s CEO.
Jason Wu, Information Technology
Management ’04 – writes: “Throughout my
years at Ryerson, I worked part-time at Apotex
Pharmaceuticals. Shortly after graduation, I worked
for one year as a Supply Scheduler before joining
Apotex’s IT department and I am now an IS
Consultant for Canada’s largest pharmaceutical
company. I am engaged and have bought a house,
where I moved last fall. At the age of 25, I have been
able to start a life with my fiancée, buy a house and,
most importantly, find a steady job in one of the
most stable and competitive industries.”

42 Alumnews
In Memoriam
Cpl. Brent Poland, Image Arts ’98 – was
one of six soldiers killed by a roadside bomb
in Afghanistan on April 8, 2007. He was 37.
Originally from Cambridge, Ont., Cpl. Poland
was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the
Royal Canadian Regiment.
Photo credit: Department of National Defence.
Donald Dickinson, formerly of the School of
Image Arts – died March 31, 2007 at Toronto General
Hospital, after a sudden illness. Prof. Dickinson was
instrumental in developing many of the most significant
aspects of the School of Image Arts, particularly
its emphasis on historical studies, its commitment
to exhibition of student work, and the founding and
development of the Mira Godard Study Centre, to
which he made generous contributions. He led the
School as Chair on several occasions, and represented
the School on countless committee assignments at the
University. More recently, he was involved with the
School’s first graduate program, as Acting Director
of the Photographic Preservation and Collections
Management program in fall 2006.
Bob Greenberg, former Professor of Architectural
Science – died of cancer May 28, 2007. Prof.
Greenberg was instrumental in establishing Ryerson’s
Architecture degree program in 1972. He retired from
the University in 1999 following a 28-year career.
Peggy Kinsella, former Arts and Literature, and
Senior Reference Librarian – died Feb. 12, 2007.
Ms. Kinsella joined Ryerson in 1966 when the Library
was housed in the basement of what was then the
MGM Building, now the Library Building. She retired
in 1981 to travel and take university courses.
Donald Reekie, Electrical Technology ’67 with wife Susan (Vetzal), Secretarial
Science ’73 and daughter Nora, Image Arts ’99.
Gary B. MacLean, Electrical Technology ’59 –
died at his home in Etobicoke Sept. 9, 2006, after a
nine-month battle with cancer. He attended Ryerson
after qualifying for his electrician’s licence and working
for several electrical construction companies. He
earned his Technical Teacher’s Certificate from the
University of Toronto and from 1963 to 1989, taught
at Bramalea Secondary School in Peel.
Rick Orchard, Journalism ’83 – died suddenly
July 22, 2007, two days short of his 49th birthday.
Following summer jobs at the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
and Vancouver Sun, he joined the Toronto Star in 1983.
He worked for the Life, National and Foreign sections,
and served as an editor of the GTA section. In 2002, he
created Your Home before taking over as Real Estate
Editor. Most recently, he had been an editor for the
online, downloadable newspaper Star PM. Rick was
married to Toronto Star Business Editor Dana Flavelle,
with whom he had two children.
Rosemary Reid, Radio and Television Arts ’88 –
died Aug. 11, 2006 at age 40 of breast cancer. Following
graduation, she worked in television production, book
publishing and magazine promotion. She married
James Young and gave birth to their daughter Ava
in 2000. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, she
found the strength to complete the 60-km Weekend
to End Breast Cancer walk in 2005.
Lars Robinson, Admissions/Liaison – passed away
May 3, 2007. In recognition of Lars’ contribution to
Ryerson, the Office of the Registrar has established a
trust fund for his family. Donations by cheque should
be payable to “The Lars Robinson Family Trust Fund”
and sent to Barbara Cecchetto or Elizabeth Upham,
Office of Admissions/Liaison, Ryerson University, 350
Victoria St., Toronto ON, M5B 2K3.
ALuMNEWS,
youR NEWS
Donald Reekie, Electrical
Technology ’67 – passed away
in his 61st year while vacationing
in Arizona in March 2007. Don
had taken an early retirement
from Ontario Hydro, and ran his
own computer support business
until 2005. He is survived by his
wife Susan (Vetzal), Secretarial
Science ’73 and daughter Nora,
Image Arts ’99.
Enzo Sivilotti, Electronic Technology ’55 – passed
away suddenly on Dec. 4, 2006 at age 72. After graduation,
Enzo worked for Northern Electric in Belleville,
Ont. for a year prior to entering Medical School at the
University of Western Ontario. Graduating in 1962,
he practiced in London, Ont. from 1962 until his
retirement in 1998. An avid woodworker in his spare
time, Enzo built a home and workshop just outside
of London, where he lived many happy years with his
wife Kathryn. He is also survived by three daughters
and five grandchildren.
Richard Stringer, Image Arts ’67 – died July 27,
2007 in British Columbia following a long battle with
cancer. He got his hands on an 8-mm film camera and
made his first film at age 13 – marking the start of
an award-winning career that spanned more than 30
years as a documentary cinematographer and director
of photography. Richard had been a member of the
Canadian Society of Cinematographers for 20 years,
and served most recently as its Vice-President, from
1998 to 2007. He is survived by his wife Carole and
son Matt.
To send an entry, use the submission form
on page 43 or e-mail ryemag@ryerson.ca.
Please write ALUMNEWS in the subject line.
Provide your full name, name at graduation
(if different), program and year of graduation.
Submissions may be edited for space and/or
clarity. High-resolution photos (300 dots-perinch
or more) can be sent by e-mail. Prints can
be mailed to the address on the submission
form. Please include your mailing address if
you wish to have photos returned.
We’d love to hear from you!
Where are you now?
What’s new in your life?
Staying connected
Fill us in: Staying in touch with Ryerson, by keeping us up-to-date on your contact and employment information, ensures
that we can keep you informed about alumni benefits and issues of interest to you.
Go online: An electronic submission form is available at ryerson.ca/alumni/magazine/alumnews_submission.html.
If you wish, information and comments can be e-mailed to ryemag@ryerson.ca.
q Mr. q Ms. q Mrs. q Dr. Preferred/Given name: Surname:
Name at graduation: (if different)
Home address: Postal code:
Telephone: E-mail:
Program(s): Year(s) of graduation:
Employer: Position/title:
Business telephone: Business e-mail:
Business address: Postal code:
Type of service/industry:
Did your spouse attend Ryerson? q yes q no Name:
Spouse’s program(s)/occupation: Year(s) of graduation:
Let us know what you are up to by sharing a note about your life – updates about where you live and work, and news about marriages, additions
to the family, career changes and achievements. If you need more space, please attach a separate piece of paper.
Remarks/comments q Alumnews entry q May we publish your remarks/comments? q yes q no
May we share your contact information with volunteer alumni leaders so that they may contact you directly about alumni events and activities?
q yes q no
Ryerson hopes to foster lifelong relationships with our alumni and friends, and offers a number of ways for you to stay actively engaged with the
University. Please indicate any or all areas which are of interest to you, and we will be pleased to follow-up with you personally.
q I am interested in alumni groups and activities, such as
program-based associations, regional branches or shared-interest
group chapters.
q I am interested in running for an alumni representative seat on
Ryerson’s Board of Governors.
q I am interested in running for an alumni representative seat on
Ryerson’s Senate.
Please return this form to:
Alumni magazine
Office of University Advancement
Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON
Canada, M5B 2K3
Fax: 416-979-5166
Parents:
If this magazine is addressed to your son
or daughter and they no longer live at this
address, Alumni magazine would appreciate
knowing their new address. Information
should be directed to the Office of University
Advancement at the mailing address or
fax number shown here. Or please e-mail
ryemag@ryerson.ca.
q I would like to nominate an outstanding graduate for an Alumni
Achievement Award.
q I am interested in supporting Ryerson by making a gift to the
Annual Fund.
q I am interested in being a homestay family for an international
student.
q Please send me information about courses and programs available
through The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education.
Protection of privacy:
Update form 43
The information on this form is collected under the authority
of the Ryerson University Act. The information will be used in
connection with University Advancement initiatives including
programs, services, offers and communications for Alumni
Relations, Marketing Communications, and Development,
as well as collection of statistics. If you have questions about
the collection, use and disclosure of this information by the
university, please contact the Executive Director of Alumni
Relations, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto,
ON, Canada, M5B 2K3, ph: 416-979-5018.

44
Remember when?
Remember when?
By Andy Lee
THEN…
Ryerson Institute of Technology Principal Howard Kerr greets
students outside Ryerson Hall in 1952. Only the building’s
façade remains today.
NOW…
Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy meets students in the
Aerospace Engineering Structures Lab, located in the George
Vari Engineering and Computing Centre.
Sixty years ago, Howard Hillen Kerr had a dream.
Ryerson’s founder aspired to create a post-secondary
institution that would serve the needs of society.
In 1948, the Ryerson Institute of Technology was
established and welcomed its first enrolment of
250. According to legend, Principal Kerr knew every
student by name.
In the 1950s, enrolment soared to over 1,000. The construction
of Kerr Hall began in 1956 to accommodate
4,000 students and seven years later, the signature
building was completed and Ryerson Polytechnical
Institute became the institution’s new name. The first
bachelor degrees were awarded in 1972.
Ryerson Polytechnical Institute President Walter Pitman
officially opens Ryerson Community Park in 1978.
Photo credit: Jerry Davey.
Opened in 2006, Heaslip House is one of the many recent
additions to the Ryerson campus.
In 1978, Ryerson Community Park was officially
opened as part of a municipal urban development
program. Lake Devo, Ryerson’s crown jewel,
was named after Calgary’s Devonian Group of
Charitable Foundations, which donated half the
funding for the $3-million project.
In 1993, the provincial government granted
Ryerson university status, which included a
funded research mandate and the ability to
establish graduate programs: Ryerson Polytechnic
University was born. In 2002, the name was
shortened to Ryerson University.
Model Linda Bernard exhibits a bridal dress in the
Ryerson auditorium during a 1962 open house.
A bridal dress by Natasha Ferro and Diana Peters,
Fashion ’07, at Mass Exodus 2007: Platform, the
biggest ever in the graduate fashion show’s 57-
year history.
Recent campus additions include the Ted Rogers
School of Management on Bay Street, the George
Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, and
Heaslip House, home of The G. Raymond Chang
School of Continuing Education.
Today, Ryerson has 24,000 undergraduate and
graduate students and offers more than 95 PhD,
master’s and undergraduate programs. Sheldon
Levy – Ryerson’s eighth president – has launched
Ryerson’s Master Plan, a 20-year blueprint to
revitalize the campus and act as a catalyst for change
and renewal in the unique community surrounding
the University.
“Then” photos courtesy of Ryerson Archives
Ryerson University alumni get all the good deals!
Have you taken advantage of them yet?
Thanks to your alumni status, you and your family are entitled to great rates on these valuable insurance plans:
Term Life
Major Accident Protection
manulife.com/ryersonE5
For your free, no-obligation information kit, call
1 888 913-6333 or e-mail am_service@manulife.com
Endorsed by:
Health & Dental
NEW AND IMPROVED!
Disability
Critical Illness
You can also contact John Kucher, CFP, CH.F.C., CLU, collect at (905) 305-1144.
Underwritten by:
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company

The logical solution
ESPECIALLY for Ryerson alumni.
With TD Meloche Monnex, Canada’s leader in group† home and auto insurance, it all adds up
to exceptional value. We offer home and auto insurance EXCLUSIVELY to members of
professional and alumni associations like you. You receive high-quality insurance products at
preferred group rates combined with exceptional service throughout the entire sales, service
and claims process.
TO ENJOY preferred group rates
and exceptional care:
1 888 589 5656 or
TDMelocheMonnex.com/ryerson
Insurance program recommended by:
†Group auto insurance rates are not applicable in Prince Edward Island. Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan.
The TD Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by Security National Insurance Company and distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in other provinces and territories.