Photo highlights from the Toronto Met Awards Gala 2024
The annual Toronto Met Awards Gala celebrates faculty and staff achievements. All photos by Alyssa K. Faoro
On April 30, the Mattamy Athletic Centre's varsity court was buzzing with TMU leadership, faculty and staff, all gathered at the Toronto Met Awards Gala to applaud extraordinary achievements and to introduce a new tradition—acknowledging long-service milestones recipients.
“These past few years have been among the most transformational in our university’s history,” said president and vice-chancellor, Mohamed Lachemi to the audience of more than 275.
“Together, we launched a law school, medical school and found a way to continue to grow and innovate in the midst of a pandemic. It takes a great team to have such success in a time of adversity," he said.
From groundbreaking scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities to inspiring teaching and visionary leadership, the Toronto Met Awards Gala shines a spotlight on the brilliant minds and hard work at TMU. TorontoMet Today captured some highlights from the evening.
Visit the Recognition and Awards website for a full list of award recipients and long service milestone honourees.
Amy Desjarlais, lead, Rebirthed Teachings, in the Indigenous Initiatives unit of the Office of the Vice-President, Equity & Community Inclusion (OVPECI), opened the awards gala with a traditional song and hand drumming.
Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano (left), provost and vice-president, academic, and Mohamed Lachemi (right), president and vice-chancellor, took to the stage to congratulate recipients as they received their awards.
Laleh Samarbakhsh (right) receives the Ted Rogers School of Management Dean’s SRC Activity Award from Dean Cynthia Holmes.
Ross Fair (right), Faculty of Arts, received the inaugural Joe Zboralski Teaching and Community Engagement Award, recognizing a CUPE Unit 1 and/or CUPE Unit 2 member who has demonstrated leadership through teaching and impact on community engagement. Pictured here, from the left, with Alex Zboralski, Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano and Nik Zboralski.
For the first time, the awards gala honoured the long-service milestones recipients. Pictured here Saeed Zolfaghari (left), vice-president, administration and operations, and Jenny O’Donnell (centre), chief human resources officer, congratulate Monica McKay, director of Indigenous Initiatives, on receiving her 30-year service milestone.
The Brampton Venture Zone by TMU team received the Julia Hanigsberg Make Your Mark Award for their pivotal role in advancing innovation in the local startup ecosystem in Brampton. Pictured from left: guest of recipient, Riaz Ahmed, Muskaan Baraech, Nikole Lyn, Arleana Rajkumar, Usha Srinivasan, Prabaarja Bedi and Fardan Khan.
Enriqueta Zafra, Faculty of Arts, received the Assistant Vice-President, International’s Global Learning Award for her innovative approach to teaching and commitment to equipping students with the global knowledge, skills and values to make a positive impact on society. At left, Cory Searcy, assistant vice-president, international at TMU.
The Matt Sorley Trio kicked off the reception with beautiful jazz music. Band members are Michael Kang on guitar, Matt Sorley, saxophone and Amalia Tadevosyan bass.
Grace-Camille Munroe (left), interim director of TMU's Black Scholarship Institute, recipient of the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion individual staff award, and Sandra Juutilainen (right), recipient of the Faculty of Community Service Dean's SRC Activity Award, chat over mocktails and food at the reception.
From left, the University Events and Ceremonies team that made it all possible: Ryan Kerr, Kim McDonald, Jessica Tran, Katherine Kelley and Jordan Luu.