Toronto Met Awards Gala 2023 celebrates faculty and staff achievement
The Toronto Met Awards Gala returned in 2023 as an in-person event. The annual event celebrates achievements of faculty and staff at TMU. All photos by: Alyssa K. Faoro
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) hosted its annual awards gala on May 9, recognizing the extraordinary achievements from the institution’s faculty and staff.
“Our university has done more than just survive the past three years. It has continued to evolve and grow, thanks to you,” said president and vice-chancellor, Mohamed Lachemi, in his remarks at the Toronto Met Awards Gala. “As we get ready to start the celebration tonight, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for being a part of this great community. You inspire me every day.”
From teaching to research to learning and leadership, the Toronto Met Awards Gala celebrates the work and people that make TMU the innovative university that it is. TorontoMet Today captured some highlights from the evening. To see a full list of recipients, visit the Recognition and Awards website.
The scene was set to welcome this year’s award recipients for a reception.
TMU’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Mohamed Lachemi (pictured), welcomed guests and thanked them for their ideas and commitment to advancing the university.
Faculty from across the university received awards from their respective deans for teaching, service and research. Pictured here are Dean’s Award recipients - Ted Rogers School of Management Information Technology Management professors Mehdi Kargar (left) and Morteza Zihayat Kermani (second from left) and Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science professor Faezeh Ensan (far right).
Ted Rogers School of Management Professor Cynthia Holmes received the Errol Aspevig Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership. Holmes will be dean of TRSM starting June 1, 2023.
Harsimran Rattan (second from right) is part of Student Affairs in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students and received the Julia Hanigsberg Make Your Mark Award for her work in Client Service.
Vice-Provost, Students, Jen McMillen (left) poses with award winners Nuala Byles (centre) and Gina Vaccaro (right). Byles and Vaccaro accepted a Julia Hanigsberg Make Your Mark Award for creating the Branded Materials Transition Project.
SRC Career Excellence Award Recipient, Dafna Sussman, Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science is presented her award by Steven N. Liss, Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, Tanya (Toni) De Mello (far left) presents the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award to the Anti-Asian Racism Awareness Team. Recipients from left: Gabe Ciufo, Josel Angelica Gerardo, Eunkyung Josie Lee, Wincy Li and Janet Lum.
Jean Tsai, of Student Wellbeing, Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award recipient (centre, clapping)
The Toronto Met Awards Gala wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and planning of TMU’s Ceremonials Office. Pictured here are event organizers Ryan Kerr (left), Kim McDonald (centre) and Katherine Kelley (right). Missing from the team photo is Crystal Osawamick, who also helped put together the awards gala.