People

Headshot of Kerry Sakamoto taken outdoors

Hope Floats

U of T alumna Kerri Sakamoto’s new novel explores racism, architecture – and how to “dream and dare”

Photo of Kyla Fox

A Prisoner No More

My eating disorder felt like a life sentence. Now recovered, I help other people overcome theirs

Love Yourself First

How do you foster greater self-worth and, in turn, help others? Nurture your inner foundation, says author and U of T alum Renu Persaud

Photo of Edna Staebler at her desk.

Finding Comfort in Food

Edna Staebler was 55 when her marriage ended. She thought she would grow old alone, impoverished and unhappy. Then she wrote a cookbook

Photo of Rabbi Rena Arshinoff

A New Life After Loss

Over more than two decades, Rena Arshinoff built a successful career in medical science. Then she felt a spiritual call

Photo of 100 female U of T students in front of a building on Parliament Hill.

Women Are in the House!

A unique U of T program that takes 100 female students to Parliament Hill aims to encourage more women to enter politics

Photo of Gord Dorrett

The Art of Design

Gord Dorrett is behind support for a “critique room” at U of T’s new Daniels Building

Photo of dragon breathing fire surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.

Enter the Dragon

Why did this U of T alum build a fire-breathing dragon bus? To go to Burning Man, of course!

Guitar Hero

Liona Boyd talks about her new memoir and album, her 5 million YouTube hits, and her pen pal, Prince Philip

Deborah Solomon, wearing a flower-patterned dress, standing with tree leaves out of focus in the background

On a Mission of Compassion

The recipient of a Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, Deborah Emilia Solomon wants to devote her engineering career “to the service of others”

Muhaddisah Batool sitting in a seat in an empty theatre

Taking Centre Stage

As the theatre world grapples with change, U of T Mississauga student Muhaddisah Batool prepares for the spotlight

Headshot of Geoff Taber.

A Legacy of Mentorship

U of T creates memorial scholarship and chair in honour of alumnus Geoff Taber, who died tragically in a fire in 2016

Headshot of Lucy Cullen taken outdoors.

Taking Waste off the Menu

U of T grad Lucy Cullen has been named one of Canada’s top environmentalists for helping restaurants earn more – by throwing away less

Photo of Ishita Aggarwal giving a speech.

From Shy to Shining

A YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award winner reflects on a pivotal first-year program at U of T

Photo of Neha Singh and Jade Ryan teaching a dance move to two young dancers.

Happy Feet

Mallory and Jade Ryan are helping children – including those with special needs – experience the joy of dance

Actor Lee MacDougall.

A Play’s Hopeful Message

Since joining the cast of Come From Away, Lee MacDougall has never seen so many audience members overcome with emotion. "This story reminds us of who we are"

Close up of Anita Kranjc in a blue T-shirt with a cow illustration, looking through a wire fence

The Trial of Anita Krajnc

In 2015, this U of T alum was charged after giving water to a pig. It only pushed her animal-rights activism to a new level

The Spy Among Us

In Kerry Clare’s first novel, Mitzi Bytes, a blogger has a secret online presence – but someone is threatening to expose her

Photo of Ursula Franklin in a lab surrounded by equipment

Warrior for Peace

U of T physicist Ursula Franklin staunchly opposed weapons of mass destruction. As Cold War tensions rise, her work remains as relevant as ever

Headshot of Benjamin Joffe-Walt with trees in the background

Be the Change

This former human-rights journalist now helps run the world’s largest petition website

Photo of marble staircase inside the Kingston Penitentiary.

Making a Murderer

A small-screen adaptation of Alias Grace starring alumna Sarah Gadon will air this fall

A Lifeline for People with Aphasia

A stroke or brain injury often robs patients of their ability to communicate thoughts and emotions. U of T alumna Aura Kagan found a way to help them converse again

Gwynne Phillips (left) and Briana Templeton of the surreal sketch comedy duo Templeton Philharmonic met in the University College drama program. They are currently writing and starring in CBC's web series

Divine Comedy

Alumni Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton unleash their inner infernos in darkly hilarious sketches

Kelvin Browne

Working with Clay

At the Gardiner Museum, Kelvin Browne aims to connect people with the beauty and artistry of ceramics -- and encourage them to make their own