Year of firsts: A look at 2020
To simply call 2020 a strange year would be an understatement. It’s been a year of tragedy for many families as the world grappled with the global pandemic. It’s also been a year where many things happened for the first time. For many, it was their first time working from home, at many universities like Ryerson University (now named Toronto Metropolitan University), it was the first time the campus was shut down and courses shifted entirely online. But there were also many positives to celebrate. In honour of the end of the first year of this new decade, we put together a list of some firsts achieved within Ryerson’s community.
Ryerson University Law School virtual opening ceremony
Ryerson University opens Toronto’s first new law school in 131 years
This fall, the Faculty of Law welcomed its first cohort of students. Ryerson’s newest faculty is breaking barriers by focusing on social justice, inclusion, and making an education in law much more accessible to traditionally underrepresented groups. Not to mention, a phenomenal founding dean, distinguished professor and law professional Donna E. Young (opens in new window) .
Ted Rogers School of Management.
TRSM Bachelor of Commerce program ranks #1 in Canada
According to Corporate Knights Better World Ranking (opens in new window) , Ted Rogers School of Management’s Bachelor of Commerce program is the best in Canada! And that’s not all — the MBA program ranked third. The Better World MBA Ranking is in its 18th year and identifies the top full-time MBA programs in the world.
Ryerson student Phyllis McKenna was one of the dancers who participated in this year’s virtual Ryerson Pow Wow. Photo credit: Nendujan Ratnarajah.
Ryerson’s Pow Wow goes virtual
Covid-19 led to the cancellation of many events and ceremonies, but it didn’t stop the students behind the Ryerson Pow Wow from making sure the show did, in fact, go on! For the first time ever, the Pow Wow was a fully virtual experience which included an entire week of educational programming culminating in a live-streamed broadcast of the Pow Wow on Youtube. The event (external link, opens in new window) is still available to watch on Youtube with bonus materials!
2019 Ryerson graduates wear the Kente stoles that were given to this year’s Black graduates who participated in the virtual Black Excellence Graduation Celebration. Photo credit: Mark Yan/LifeTouch Canada.
Ryerson’s first Black Excellence Graduation Celebration
Ryerson’s Black Excellence Committee organized the first ever ceremony recognizing the achievements of self-identified Black students who graduated in 2020. Due to Covid-19, the event was moved online but that didn’t stop the celebration for the 200 Black graduates who enjoyed some great music, jokes from emcee Justin Bobb, Sociology ’12, and some uplifting words from the speakers.
MP and former TV host Marci Ien, Radio and Television Arts ’91, was the host of Ryerson’s 2020 Spring Convocation.
Class of 2020 celebrates online
While graduates from Ryerson did not get the convocation they expected, the University held a virtual celebration (external link, opens in new window) that aired live on Ryecast and Youtube. This year’s Spring convocation was hosted by (now) MP and former TV host Marci Ien, Radio and Television Arts ’91, and the graduation address was delivered by Eric McCormack, Theatre ’85. Talk about a stacked event! Congratulations to the class of 2020!
Alumna Taylor Lindsay-Noel, Radio and Television Arts ’17, owns luxury tea company Cup of Té. Photo credit: @cupofteshop (external link, opens in new window)
Alumna’s tea company makes Oprah’s list
Former gymnast turned entrepreneur Taylor Lindsay-Noel, Radio and Television Arts ’17, was on track to represent Canada at the 2012 Olympics when she broke her neck at 14-years-old. Twelve years and a degree from Ryerson later, her luxury tea company, Cup of Té, has landed a coveted spot on Oprah’s Favourite Things list (external link) in O Magazine’s December issue.
Ernest Tucker, Journalism ’54, is believed to have been the first Black student to attend Ryerson’s School of Journalism.
CBC’s first Black journalist receives honour (posthumously)
After a long and successful career filled with firsts, Ernest Tucker, Journalism ’54, was inducted into the CBC News Hall of Fame (external link, opens in new window) for having a lasting impact on the CBC and Canadian journalism. Tucker is believed to have been the first Black student to attend Ryerson’s School of Journalism. Learn about Ernest’s legacy in this piece (opens in new window) written by a fellow RSJ grad and friend.
Alumnus Pat Mills, Image Arts ’02, directed Lifetime’s first LGBTQ+ Christmas Romance movie.
Ryerson grad makes LGBTQ+ movie history with The Christmas Setup
Pat Mills, Image Arts ’02, made history at Lifetime earlier this year, when he directed the network’s first LGBTQ+ Christmas Romance movie. The film features a real-life married couple and icon Fran Drescher as the matchmaking mom. The film, which was shot in the Ottawa area, will air on CTV Drama Channel on Friday, December 18.
The ladies of Fashion and Home Economics ’62 snapped this photo of their first Zoom reunion.
Alumni group hosts first virtual reunion in 48 years
The ladies of Fashion and Home Economics ’62 hosted their very first virtual reunion this year. The group has been hosting reunions consistently for milestone celebrations since 1972. But it wasn’t until 1986 that they started meeting annually. Every September they choose a new hotel or spa to gather at for two days, but this year was different. Like many events, the group’s 2020 in-person reunion was cancelled so they hosted a Zoom reunion!
Ryerson University’s Alumni Relations takes on the world of online events
The Alumni Relations and Engagement team started out 2020 never having hosted a virtual event. Twelve months later and we've engaged nearly 10,000 alumni and friends through 33 virtual events. And there's no looking back now, watch for more Book Talks, Intersections and virtual learning experiences for the kids in 2021!
The year’s not over yet, which means there is plenty of time for more ‘firsts’.
Connect with us on Twitter (external link) , Facebook (external link, opens in new window) , Linked In (external link, opens in new window) and Instagram (external link) and let us know what positive thing happened to you this year.