A New Chapter Begins – A Message from Principal Robert Gazzale
New College Welcome Wall at the entrance of 40 Willcocks Street. Photo credit: A.Rodrigues
Greetings from New College! First, let me introduce myself, I am Bob Gazzale, a Teaching Stream Professor in the Department of Economics and, as of July 1st, Principal of New College. If you were around over the summer, you’ve likely seen me walking the halls of NEW. And if you saw me in the basement of Wilson or Wetmore, I was probably more than a little lost!
It is an honour to take on the role of Principal at New College and lead this remarkable community. New College is a special place, known for its vibrant community spirit, strong dedication to activism and inclusion, and a commitment to socially engaged learning that runs through all our programs. Believe it or not, even economists value these attributes.
We must start by thanking Interim Principal Dickson Eyoh for his exceptional leadership over the past two years. Just looking at the last year under his leadership, we find ample evidence of what makes this community so remarkable. We welcomed over 1000 graduates to our alumni family. We witnessed the national recognition College Librarian Mikayla Redden received for her instrumental work in creating the Indian Residential School Survivors’ Storybase, an online tool that educates Canadians on the legacy of residential schools through storytelling from survivors’ accounts. Additionally, the Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity Program, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, saw its Director, Prof. Anne McGuire, awarded the Faculty of Arts and Science Teaching & Learning Fellowship as part of the 2024 A&S Outstanding Achievement Awards. We also saw a historic $5 million gift to the African Studies Centre and Centre for Caribbean Studies from alumnus Richard Rooney (BA 1977 NEW), a milestone investment that will attract top experts, energize the next generation of researchers, and engage students in advanced scholarship.
For those just arriving on campus for the first time, it is truly my honour to welcome you to this very special community.
I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months as we work together to build on New College’s legacy. This is, I believe, an opportune time to look forward, as periods of change give us the freedom to imagine the future we want. With most of the disruptive and tragic aspects of the pandemic behind us, the last couple of years have seen campus life largely rebound. Many feel, however, that the level of engagement is less, or at least different than before. How do we create in 2024 a supportive community that invites engagement and nourishes our need for connection? Relatedly, two of our academic programs—African Studies and Caribbean Studies—have recently become self-standing academic units. How do we structure relationships with our independent academic units in a way that both honours their consonance with New’s founding principles and ensures they remain vital to the College’s academic life?
As a newcomer to the NEW community, I do not have the audacity to say that I have the answers to these and related questions. I am confident, however, that by listening to and working with all, we can together create an environment that is conducive to the flourishing of our students, faculty and staff.
As we move into the Fall term, I encourage you to explore all that the College has to offer. From academic advising at the Registrar’s Office to personalized services at the Writing Centre and D.G. Ivey Library, and to workshops and seminars on academic skills and other College events, there are countless resources available to help you succeed. Just recently, the Office of Residence and Student Life introduced a new staff member dedicated to wellness and support. While it can be easy to overlook health and well-being when juggling many different priorities, I hope that the many resources available here and through the University of Toronto will help our community prioritize their physical, emotional and mental health needs daily.
Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who works tirelessly to make a safe return to campus possible each year for our nearly 6500 students. Our team continues to find new ways to make New College innovative, creative and a forward-thinking space while ensuring it’s a home away from home for our students, faculty and staff.
Whether it is your first year at the University of Toronto, returning for another year or a continuing member of our community, the start of a new academic year always brings a sense of renewed energy and excitement on campus. My hope for 2024–2025 is that you feel inspired, encouraged and supported at New College.
As we begin this new chapter, best wishes for a successful year ahead, NEW!
Sincerely,
Principal Robert (Bob) Gazzale