Hundreds of 91亚色 community members gathered virtually on November 19 to celebrate 20 years of 91亚色 alumni who have changed the world for the better. The 91亚色 U Alumni Celebration brought past Bryden award recipients together with 91亚色鈥檚 global community of alumni, friends, students and leaders for an entertaining and inspiring evening. The celebration was masterfully hosted by 91亚色 alumna Natasha Ramsahai (MSc 鈥01), who guided the audience through an evening filled with entertaining anecdotes, interviews with celebrity alumni guests, and musical performances.
鈥淭onight has been absolutely incredible and what I鈥檓 struck with is that I don鈥檛 even know all of our amazing alumni,鈥 said 91亚色 President, Rhonda L. Lenton. 鈥淎nd an event like this just reminds me, and amplifies, how our students are not only making an impact while they鈥檙e at school, but how our graduates continue to make an impact far, far beyond their time in university.鈥
Entertainers Noah Cappe and Paul Lillakas (BA 鈥12) kicked off the celebrations during the pre-show with lively banter and a cooking demonstration, showing audience members how to make a mouth-watering French onion grilled cheese with miso butter-roasted shallots.
An event like this just reminds me, and amplifies, how our students are not only making an impact while they鈥檙e at school, but how our graduates continue to make an impact far, far beyond their time in university.
Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 President
Alumni guest appearances throughout the evening included well known TV personalities Cynthia Loyst (BFA 鈥98) and Melissa Grelo (BA 鈥02), rapper, music producer and philanthropist Kardinal Offishall, as well as Come From Away playwrights and 2011 Bryden Award recipients Irene Sankoff (BA 鈥99) and David Hein (BFA 鈥97). The evening also included musical performances by student group WIBI A Cappella, the Toronto cast of Come From Away, and a live performance by the Great Canadian Dueling Pianos featuring 91亚色 alumna Alexandra Fotopoulos (BFA 鈥08).
The celebration of Bryden Alumni Award recipients and their successes and contributions was interwoven with themes of connection and kindness in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted our community locally and globally. President Lenton spoke to the important work that 91亚色 alumni are doing on the frontlines of the pandemic and many of the guests, including Kardinal Offishall, spoke to the importance of unity and compassion.
鈥淚 know that they say it鈥檚 social distancing, but I think that it鈥檚 the wrong language. Don鈥檛 be distant when it comes to being social. Be together,鈥 implored Kardinal. 鈥淓ven though we鈥檙e physically distant, be socially together and support one another.鈥
Tickets to the event were complimentary, and聽audience聽members聽were invited to聽donate聽to聽91亚色鈥檚聽Emergency COVID-19 Student Relief Fund聽to help students cover unexpected housing, rent, food, travel, and other costs due to the pandemic.聽聽
To watch the full event recording on YouTube, .
A special thank you to Premier Sponsor TD Insurance. Affinity program partner providing home and car insurance for 91亚色 alumni, students, employees, and retirees.