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The university has committed to double the number of Indigenous faculty at Ryerson; increase the number of Indigenous staff; create more pathways for Indigenous students to study; provide more award and scholarship funding for Indigenous students; provide resources for faculty to Indigenize the curriculum; designate outdoor space for Indigenous ceremonies, and raise external funding to create a Ryerson Chair in Reconciliation. A working group has been formed to address these commitments.

The event also saw the presentation of a plaque to be installed next to the statue of Egerton Ryerson on Gould Street, which adds context for the historical figure's role in the creation of the residential school system.

“Ryerson has reached a milestone today,” said Green. “I’m very grateful to our students in their willingness to participate, do truth-telling, and ask those very tough questions so we can create a future that is truly inclusive for Indigenous Peoples.”

—Will Sloan

GIVING

A legacy to support future engineers

For the last 12 years, Ryerson’s George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre has welcomed and educated thousands of emerging engineers, been home base for exploration at the cutting edge of research and innovation, and hosted countless special guests and industry professionals. Named in 2005 in recognition of a generous gift from entrepreneur, developer and philanthropist George William Vari, the eye-catching building has stood as a cornerstone to his legacy at Ryerson since his death in 2010.

To ensure others have the opportunity to achieve through education, Helen Vari, through the George and Helen Vari Foundation, has extended the family’s legacy at Ryerson with a new gift of $1 million to Ryerson’s Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS). The gift is the largest-ever single donation to FEAS to be dedicated to entrance awards, ensuring future engineers are able to begin their education. It brings the foundation’s total giving to Ryerson to more than $6 million.

The first cohort of Vari Scholars will enter Ryerson’s engineering program in September.

STUDENT HOME

New student residence opens this fall

In September, Ryerson will open its largest student residence ever—and its first new residence in 25 years.

APPOINTMENTS

DEBORAH BROWN
Vice-President,
Administration and Operations

Deborah Brown joined Ryerson as vice-president of administration and operations in January 2018.

A Ryerson journalism graduate, Brown brings a strong track record of commitment to collaboration, equity, diversity and inclusion. In 2014 she served as vice-president, corporate services at Mohawk College. Earlier, she worked in senior leadership positions within the Ontario government, most recently as the acting chief administrative officer and assistant deputy minister at Treasury Board Secretariat.

The Administration and Operations portfolio at Ryerson (previously named Administration and Finance) consists of seven non-academic units that work collaboratively with colleagues across the university. The portfolio focuses on people, infrastructure, community safety and security.

“I am delighted to be joining a university that is so well-known for being a city-builder, an innovator, and strong partner with governments, businesses and community organizations,” said Brown.