Alexander is a music director of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and Orion Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director of the Markham Contemporary Music Festival and the International Music Competition. Having led hundreds of orchestral and operatic performances, he has built a reputation for championing artistic excellence, cultural exchange and opportunities for emerging musicians. Through his leadership, mentorship and community initiatives, he has helped expand access to the arts for more than 1,000 young people, including neurodiverse youth, at-risk youth and students from low-income families. 

“For more than three decades, Maestro Kristian Alexander has dedicated his life to advancing the role of music in education and social connection,” said Brandon Vickerd, dean, (AMPD).  

“Through his work as a conductor, educator, scholar and humanitarian, he has enriched the cultural life in Canada and around the world, inspiring audiences, artists and communities alike.” 

Addressing graduands from AMPD and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Alexander reflected on a career spent building artistic institutions and creating new opportunities for musicians and audiences alike. 

He recalled his time as a young conducting student who envisioned a different kind of orchestra at a time when the practice was largely defined by tradition and established structures. 

"I wanted to develop an orchestra that could make its own artistic decisions, one that could operate according to a different model," he said. "There was no such orchestra, so I decided to create one." 

What began as an idea eventually grew into an internationally recognized organization, though not without setbacks and moments of self-doubt. The experience, he said, taught him lessons about perseverance, leadership and innovation. 

"You don't always have to find your place in an existing institution," he said. "Sometimes you can create the institution yourself, and sometimes the fact that something is difficult is precisely why it must be done." 

Almost 20 years later, he applied the same philosophy when he founded the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, despite warnings that the venture was too ambitious or unlikely to succeed. 

"When you believe in an idea, you must have the courage to make it happen and trust that others will join you," he said. 

Alexander noted that creating something new is only one part of the process; equally important is ensuring it can grow, adapt and continue to evolve through the contributions of others. 

"As graduates, you have enormous opportunities to create, but creation is not about keeping something under your care forever,” he said. 

“There comes a point when the most important thing you can do for what you have created is to allow others to shape it, to carry it forward, to make it their own.” 

That philosophy informed his advice to graduands preparing to enter an uncertain and rapidly changing world. Rather than feeling constrained by traditional career paths, he encouraged them to recognize the possibilities that emerge when existing models no longer meet people's needs. Alexander encouraged graduands to think big and to see uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation. 

“You have spent all of these years learning how to create, to imagine, to question, to experiment, to make something real,” he said. “Now you are standing at the beginning of something higher. A world that is waiting for you.” 

Alexander concluded by urging graduands to trust their ideas, take risks and embrace the responsibility of building the future. 

"When you leave here today, carry two questions with you: What is missing, and what could I create?" he said. "Don't wait for permission. Don't wait for the right moment. Don't wait until you feel completely ready. 

"Create what doesn't exist. Nurture it. Build it. Give it everything you have." 

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Graham's career has spanned more than five decades across the financial services, technology and automotive sectors. He was the founding chief executive officer of Proponix Inc., a global financial technology company, and previously held senior leadership positions with Citibank in Canada and Asia. 

As a Schulich alum, Graham has been a key contributor to the University. Serving for more than two decades as president of the Schulich Global Alumni Network, Graham has supported generations of students through mentorship, philanthropy and alumni engagement. 

Introducing him during convocation, Schulich Associate Professor Emerita Lorna Wright described him as "one of the school's most dedicated and influential alumni" and highlighted his long-standing commitment to creating opportunities for others. 

"Bill's legacy can ultimately be measured not only by the distinguished career he built, but by the many people he has helped along the way," she said. 

In his address to graduands, Graham reflected on the two lasting gifts Schulich provides its graduates: access to a global alumni network and a foundation in responsible business leadership. 

He encouraged graduates to view the school’s network of more than 38,000 alumni as a valuable resource for building relationships, accessing advice and learning from others’ experiences.  

“Over the last 40 years, I've used this network extensively, and what I found in almost all the cases were alumni who were willing to connect with me and build a relationship because it was valuable to them as well,” he said.   

Graham reminded graduands to support future generations of alumni and students. 

"It is important to recognize that this ... is reciprocal," he said. "It comes with a responsibility to give back, support and advise your fellow alumni and future students." 

Turning to the lessons he learned throughout his own journey, Graham reflected on his career in global financial services, using the rise and fall of Citibank and Citigroup to illustrate why responsible business practices, ethical leadership and a commitment to society are essential to long-term success. 

“It's not just the right thing to do; it is the smart and successful thing to do,” he told graduands, encouraging them to carry the principles of responsible business into their professional and personal lives. 

Successful organizations must look beyond financial performance to consider their employees, governance, ethics, the environment and the communities in which they operate, he said. While generating profits remains important to sustaining a business and attracting investment, he cautioned against making shareholder returns an organization's sole priority. 

“When that becomes your only focus, that so-called shareholder model drives adverse behaviours as well as negative value and cultural shifts that benefits no one, including the shareholders,” he said. 

He recalled the cultural and leadership shifts that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis and said that organizations can lose sight of their purpose when financial performance becomes the sole measure of success. 

"It is said that we learn more from our failures than from our successes, and we did learn from the failures of 2008," he said. 

Graham noted the crisis accelerated the rise of modern responsible business practices, which seek to strengthen the relationship between business and society while creating sustainable value. 

Addressing the next generation of leaders, he emphasized that the principles taught at Schulich and 91��ɫ will only matter if they choose to apply them. 

In closing, Graham reminded the graduating class to use knowledge and responsibility to shape the future. 

"You are now going to be those people. You are now going to be those leaders," he said. "Schulich has given you the tools. Now go out and use them." 

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Volpe is president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, representing one of Canada’s largest manufacturing sectors. A leading voice on industrial policy, trade and economic competitiveness, he has played a prominent role in advancing Canadian manufacturing interests and strengthening the country’s automotive supply chain.  

Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023, he serves on both the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and the Ontario Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Investment. 

Volpe has built a career at the intersection of industry, public policy and public service, said Siu Ning (Sunny) Leung, vice-dean, faculty and inclusive excellence, Lassonde School of Engineering. 

“Progress takes more than good ideas; it takes people who can bring others together and turn those ideas into action,” said Leung. “Few careers demonstrate that more clearly than that of Flavio Volpe.” 

After accepting an honorary degree before graduands of , Glendon College, and the Faculties of , Education and Science, Volpe reflected on the family and experiences that shaped his journey. 

Returning to 91��ɫ nearly three decades after completing his MBA, he said one lesson had become increasingly clear over time: "Nobody gets here alone.”   

That lesson, he noted, was rooted in his own family's connection to 91��ɫ. Before Volpe earned his degree, his mother, Mirala, returned to school as a mature student while raising four children, becoming the first university graduate in her family.  

“Her effort and her success were both a warning and an inspiration,” he said. “She was showing us, through her own work, what we could and should ask of ourselves.”  

Volpe encouraged graduands to recognize the family members, teachers, friends and mentors who helped them reach this milestone, and reminded them that opportunity comes with responsibility.  

"Your education gives you tools. What you do with those tools gives meaning," he said. “You are graduating in different disciplines. You will help communities understand themselves and the world. Your work will affect people you may never meet.” 

Looking back on his own career, Volpe recalled representing Canada's automotive manufacturing sector and the importance of keeping people at the centre of decision-making. 

"When I visit an office or a factory, I see skill, ingenuity, investment. I also see people paying their mortgages and raising their kids and making plans." 

He pointed to the automotive sector's response during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he led efforts to shift production to ventilators and personal protective equipment, as an example of people coming together to solve urgent challenges. 

"When you have the ability to help, you have a responsibility to try," he said. 

Volpe also shared insights from Project Arrow, the nation's first all-Canadian zero-emission concept vehicle created to showcase Canadian technology, talent and innovation. Drawing on this example, he challenged graduands to think boldly about their futures and ability to make an impact. 

"You do not have to shrink your ambition to fit somebody else's assumptions about you," he said. "Confidence does not require you to have every answer; it requires you to believe that your effort can make a difference, and to be willing to learn from the people who sit beside you. I hope you leave 91��ɫ with that confidence." 

Volpe encouraged the graduating class to carry forward both the opportunities they have received and the responsibility that comes with them. 

"Wherever you go, carry that responsibility with you. Make room for someone else. Share what you know. Stand up when it would be easier to sit down and be quiet." 

He concluded with a reminder about the values that matter most as graduates begin the next chapter of their lives. 

"Keep your kindness. Keep your honesty. Keep your loyalty to the people who trust you, be ambitious about what you can accomplish and thoughtful about who benefits when you do," he said. 

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Kidd is a professor emeritus and founding dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education whose career has influenced sport and physical education in Canada. A member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and an Officer of the Order of Canada, Kidd has spent more than five decades advocating for human rights and athletes' rights while advancing national sport initiatives.  

Parissa Safai, vice-president equity, people and culture, introduced Kidd as “an internationally recognized expert on sport history, policy and political economy,” during the Fall Convocation ceremony. 

“We honour your commitment to the physical, social and civic well-being of people and communities around the world, and your call to protect access to sport and physical education for all,” she said. 

In his address to graduands, Kidd reflected on a lifelong connection to 91��ɫ. His father, educator J. Roby Kidd, was among the University's founders and helped champion its commitment to accessibility, inclusion and innovative approaches to learning. 

Recalling stories he heard around the family dinner table, Kidd said he grew up listening to discussions about the creation of 91��ɫ and its mission to serve students whose educational goals might otherwise be out of reach. 

"In the 66 years since, 91��ɫ has realized those visions and prospered far beyond the dreams of its founders," he said. "And it's always retained its progressive focus. I followed your fortunes with a son's pride ever since." 

Kidd also reflected on his own time as a 91��ɫ graduate student and shared a formative piece of advice he received from economics professor Ian Macdonald. 

"I said, 'Professor Macdonald, can I still be a world-class athlete and a top student at the same time?' And he smiled and said, 'You'll never know unless you try.'" 

That willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities became one of the central themes of his address. 

"Always have a plan, but when an intriguing opportunity comes along that you never expected, and it looks interesting, give it a try," he said. 

Having competed at a time when athletes were expected to remain silent on social and political issues, Kidd said he came to recognize the inequalities that existed within sport and began using his platform to advocate for change. 

Drawing on experiences that included competing at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games following South Africa's expulsion over apartheid policies, Kidd became involved in the international campaign against apartheid sport, a movement that helped isolate the regime from global competition. 

"The lesson is wherever you can, be it in sport, health, education, or something else, be aware of your circumstances and employ that knowledge to advance progressive change," he said. 

"The challenges are daunting, but there's always something you can do to include the unjustly excluded, and call out unfairness," he said. 

Turning to the struggles facing society today, Kidd encouraged Faculty of Health graduands to use their education and expertise to address two issues he considers urgent public health concerns: declining rates of physical activity and the rise of sports betting and online gambling. 

“As your lives after graduation become even more stressful, don't forget that we are embodied creatures,” he said.  

“Be sure to develop a regime of physical activity and healthy eating that gives you pleasure and satisfaction for yourself and your families help realize such opportunities for the entire community.” 

Kidd encouraged graduands to combine professional excellence with a commitment to social responsibility as they move into the next step of their journeys. 

"Today, more than ever, we need professionals in every field who will not only be very good at what you do, but look out for others and serve as beacons for innovative, effective, inclusive and equitable change."

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The title recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to teaching and research, alongside exemplary service to the University community. 

Ferrara will be honoured during an Oct. 15 convocation ceremony. 

The recognition, she says, represents a full circle moment. "I am deeply honoured to receive the University Professorship. That it comes from my alma mater, where my Canadian journey began as a student, gives it special significance." A professor at the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), Ferrara has built a career defined by excellence in teaching, research and institutional leadership. She has taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, guided by a teaching philosophy that emphasizes analytical reasoning, problem-solving skills and the application of economic theory to real-world challenges. 

Her contributions to pedagogy outside the classroom include the redesign of 91��ɫ's Research Seminar in Economics to incorporate community-engaged learning, which creates opportunities for students to apply economic theory to real-world challenges through partnerships with external organizations. Ferrara also played a key role in developing the Diploma in Risk and Insurance Management (DRIM) and the Hybrid Academia-Industry Internships via Virtual Engagement (HAIVE) programs to foster experiential learning and partnerships between students and the community.

Ferrara's extensive teaching record also reflects a sustained commitment to mentorship. Through the Directed Reading and Directed Research courses, Ferrara has consistently invested in undergraduate and graduate student success, helping them develop independence as thinkers and researchers. Both students and colleagues recognize her dedication to mentorship, and commend her generosity in offering guidance, encouragement and support while fostering a collegial, engaged and intellectually vibrant academic community. 

Ferrara has also made contributions to 91��ɫ through service and leadership. She served as undergraduate program director following the merger that created the unified Department of Economics, chaired the department from 2016 to 2019, and later served as vice-chair and Chair of the LA&PS Faculty Council. Her service has included work on numerous departmental, Faculty and University committees, as well as leadership roles within the 91��ɫ Faculty Association (YUFA) and the Risk and Insurance Studies Centre (RISC). 

An internationally recognized scholar, Ferrara's research has advanced understanding of environmental economics, public economics, health economics and the economics of risk and insurance. Her work, which examines how economic incentives interact with social, psychological and institutional factors, has informed research and policy discussions on topics including waste management, recycling, charitable giving, insurance participation and public policy design. Her research has appeared in leading journals and has been supported through numerous major external research grants. 

"I believe that an academic career carries both the opportunity and the responsibility to have a meaningful impact on students’ learning, on the advancement of society and on the vitality of the University and the wider community,” she says. “I have sought to remain faithful to this conviction throughout my career, and I would like to think that this recognition reflects, in some measure, the contribution I have aspired to make." 

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Honorary degree recipients are recognized for their contributions to community building, their advocacy for social justice and their philanthropy. Recipients will offer words of encouragement, motivation and congratulations to graduands.

Below are the honorary degree recipients in order of the Faculty ceremonies at which they will be honoured.

Flavio Volpe: Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. – Glendon College; Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change; Faculty of Education; ; and Faculty of Science

Volpe is president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, representing one of Canada’s largest manufacturing sectors. A leading voice on industrial policy, trade and economic competitiveness, he has played a prominent role in advancing Canadian manufacturing interests and strengthening the country’s automotive supply chain.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Volpe helped mobilize automotive suppliers to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment. He also launched Project Arrow, Canada’s first all-Canadian zero-emission concept vehicle, showcasing domestic innovation on the global stage. Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023, he serves on both the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations and the Ontario Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Investment.

Bruce Kidd: Oct. 14, 3:30 p.m. – Faculty of Health

Kidd is a scholar, educator and Olympic athlete whose career has shaped sport and physical education in Canada. A professor emeritus and founding dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, he has written extensively on the history and social impact of sport, authoring or editing 14 books and hundreds of articles over a career spanning more than five decades.

A member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and an Officer of the Order of Canada, Kidd has been a lifelong advocate for human rights and athletes' rights. He helped advance national sport initiatives including Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program and the Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada and played a key role in establishing the Toronto Track and Field Centre at 91��ɫ.

Kristian Alexander: Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m. – ; Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Alexander is an internationally recognized conductor, music director and cultural entrepreneur whose career has taken him to major concert halls across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. He serves as music director of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, the Orion Symphony Orchestra and the International Music Academy, and has built a reputation for championing both classical masterworks and contemporary music.

As artistic director of the Markham International Music Festival and the International Music Festival and Competition, Alexander has helped create opportunities for professional and emerging musicians while fostering cultural exchange through music. Over more than three decades, he has collaborated with leading artists and ensembles in Canada and around the world, combining artistic excellence with a commitment to mentorship, community engagement and institution-building.

Bill Graham: Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. – ;

Graham is a business leader whose career has spanned more than five decades across the financial services, technology and automotive sectors. He was the founding chief executive officer of Proponix Inc., a global financial technology company, and previously held senior leadership positions with Citibank in Canada and Asia, including serving as head of institutional banking operations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Beyond his corporate career, Graham has been a dedicated supporter of business education and alumni engagement at 91��ɫ's Schulich School of Business. He served as president of the Schulich Global Alumni Network for 21 years and as an executive-in-residence for the school's International MBA program. A recipient of both the Schulich Alumni Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution and 91��ɫ's Bryden Alumni Award, he continues to serve on Schulich's Dean's Global Council.

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Stories may reflect personal challenges that were overcome, memorable moments from the student experience or the path that led a student to choose their program at 91��ɫ. Submissions are also encouraged to include details about a student's future plans and key highlights from their academic journey.

Selected submissions may be featured in 91��ɫ marketing and communications.

Submit a story or share a graduate’s story and take part in celebrating the many inspiring journeys of 91��ɫ’s graduating class.

The submission deadline is Thursday, Oct. 1.

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John Brown, a BEng mechanical engineering graduate who also completed a certificate in entrepreneurship, and Mehakdeep Singh, who earned a BSc (Honours) in computer science, are the 2026 recipients of the Bergeron Medal.

The award is presented by Lassonde and recognizes top graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial achievement throughout their studies by applying their ideas through research, design and real-world work.

About the recipients

John Brown
Brown came to the University as a member of the 91��ɫ Lions men’s basketball team. Off the court, he explored microfluidics projects, designing devices that produce tiny droplets to mimic cellular interactions. This focus has potential applications in medical and biological research.

“I do all this for a simple reason,” he says. “I want to understand how things work and find a way to leave some kind of impact on society while I am at it.”

After three years on the varsity basketball team, Brown turned his attention to academic efforts, taking on research opportunities, securing grants and stepping into a leadership role with Lassonde Motorsports, a student-led Formula SAE team that designs, builds and competes with a race car. In his final year, he led the body and aerodynamics team as the club built its own chassis for the first time.

Brown finished top of his graduating class while building a record that included two conference papers and a patent filing on polymer science and microfluidic processes.

He also contributed to student-led innovation through initiatives such as TranReality, a virtual reality platform that helps new employees bridge the gap between knowledge and practical, on-the-job training.

Brown credits the scope of his accomplishments to the flexibility of 91��ɫ’s learning environment. “91��ɫ gave me room to be a few things at once,” Brown says. “Not many schools would have let me be an athlete, a researcher and a builder at the same time.”

He says balancing these roles wasn't always easy, making this recognition especially meaningful. “I am honoured to receive this,” Brown says of the Bergeron Medal. “I think it reflects the effort I put into leaving a small mark on Lassonde, through seasons that ended in losses, research that failed more than it worked and plenty of late nights that went nowhere.”

Brown sees the medal as a starting point rather than a culmination, saying it “points toward where I am headed next, and I am at the start of that path, not the end. That is the part I am most excited about.”

Now a mechanical engineering specialist at Ekstera, an early-stage energy startup, Brown hopes to learn firsthand about how companies are built. While he is also working toward his professional engineering licence, his longer-term goal is to found a company of his own.

Mehakdeep Singh
Singh joined 91��ɫ with an interest in AI and machine learning. Through his studies, he became increasingly focused on how these systems often operate as “black boxes,” where the inner workings and decision-making processes are not easily visible or fully understood by non-experts.

“This sparked my interest in understanding how AI systems function and how governance, accountability and transparency can be strengthened to support their responsible development and use,” he says.

Singh explored these questions through a combination of research opportunities and experiential learning, including collaborating with other students during UNHack to apply his ideas to today's challenges. His academic achievements were also recognized through scholarships, including the Lassonde Entrance Scholarship and several continuing student awards.

“These experiences allowed me to grow both academically and personally while building skills that will continue to serve me in my future career,” he says.

Singh credits access to opportunities and an academic environment that enabled practical learning and professional development for his accomplishments at 91��ɫ – and for this award.

“Receiving the Bergeron Medal is a tremendous honour for me,” Singh says. “The award reflects not only my individual efforts, but also the support and mentorship I have received from faculty members, family and fellow students.”

The award, he notes, has motivated him to pursue a master’s degree exploring AI governance and policy as evolving technologies continue to influence regulation and use. He hopes to develop frameworks that guide the responsible use of AI while balancing innovation with transparency, fairness and public accountability.

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The following is an edited version of the speech delivered by 91��ɫ Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps to the Class of 2026 at this year’s convocation ceremonies 

To the exceptional Class of 2026, my warmest congratulations to you all. I am thrilled to join with you in celebrating your achievement, your perseverance and your potential for the future.  

Behind every graduate is a story of hard work and determination. Of overcoming obstacles and moments of self-doubt. Of stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone. Many of you balanced your studies with employment, caregiving responsibilities and financial pressures. Some of you moved far from home to pursue your education here. 

You should be enormously proud of what you have accomplished and how you have grown during your time at 91��ɫ. I know that your families, friends, professors and the many people who supported you along the way are extremely proud of you as well. 

You are graduating at a remarkable time of change, disruption and reinvention. It’s a time when the world very much needs your talents, your energy and the new ideas you will inject.  

One of the most interesting parts of my job is to meet with 91��ɫ alumni from all generations and with our community partners. And, what I am hearing so often is that every organization across the public and private sector, from the smallest to the largest, within Canada and beyond, is struggling to keep up with the pace of change and to navigate the new questions and uncertainties that the world keeps throwing at all of us. I also hear a strong recognition that it is the next generation of talent that will help bring the innovation that is needed to renew our industries and institutions.     

During your time here, you did far more than complete courses or acquire technical knowledge. You learned how to learn, how to think critically, independently, rigorously and from multiple perspectives.   

I am proud to be a 91��ɫ alumna myself. One of the greatest gifts my education gave me was exposure to perspectives and experiences very different from my own. It broadened how I understood the world and gave me a wider range of viewpoints to draw upon throughout my life and career. I have never stopped drawing on it. 

As 91��ɫ graduates, you carry something with you that cannot be downloaded or automated: the capacity to build human relationships, to navigate complexity with integrity and to bring people together around difficult problems. In a world too often marked by polarization and injustice, those qualities are not just valuable – they are essential. 

Technology will continue to evolve. Industries will shift. Some roles will change in ways none of us can fully anticipate. But the foundation you have built here – the habits of mind, the networks, the resilience – that is yours. And it will serve you across every stage of what comes next. 

Thank you for choosing 91��ɫ. We are immensely proud of you, and we cannot wait to see what you do next. 

Congratulations, Class of 2026. 

Bonne chance. Merci. Miigwetch.

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This year’s Spring Convocation saw more than 6,000 graduands cross the stage to receive their degrees during ceremonies, with special recognition for the exceptional work of undergraduate students, graduate students, seven educators and six honorary degree recipients.

View photos from the Class of 2026 ceremonies below:

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