Ryerson Alumni - 2018 Summer - 7

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foster the conditions for
reconciliation. It builds
on Ryerson's ongoing
commitment to a campus
environment that embraces
and supports Indigenous
learners, faculty and staff.
The university has
committed to double the
number of Indigenous
faculty at Ryerson; increase
the number of Indigenous
staff; create more pathways
for Indigenous students to
study; provide more award
and scholarship funding for
Indigenous students; provide
resources for faculty to
Indigenize the curriculum;
designate outdoor space
for Indigenous ceremonies,
and raise external funding

to create a Ryerson Chair in
Reconciliation. A working
group has been formed to
address these commitments.
The event also saw the
presentation of a plaque to be
installed next to the statue
of Egerton Ryerson on Gould
Street, which adds context for
the historical figure's role in
the creation of the residential
school system.
"Ryerson has reached a
milestone today," said Green.
"I'm very grateful to our
students in their willingness
to participate, do truth-telling,
and ask those very tough
questions so we can create
a future that is truly inclusive
for Indigenous Peoples."
-Will Sloan

LEGENDARY SIGNS

Over a decade after
they were unplugged,
Sam the Record Man's
famous neon turntables
are once again lighting
up downtown Toronto.
In January, the restored
signs were unveiled
at 277 Victoria St., with
Ryerson covering all
costs of restoration
and maintenance. The
legendary store closed
in 2007, and is now
the site of the Student
Learning Centre.

GIVING

A legacy to
support future
engineers

For the last 12 years, Ryerson's
George Vari Engineering
and Computing Centre has
welcomed and educated
thousands of emerging
engineers, been home base for
exploration at the cutting edge
of research and innovation,
and hosted countless
special guests and industry
professionals. Named in 2005
in recognition of a generous
gift from entrepreneur,
developer and philanthropist
George William Vari, the
eye-catching building has
stood as a cornerstone to his
legacy at Ryerson since his
death in 2010.
To ensure others have
the opportunity to achieve
through education, Helen
Vari, through the George and
Helen Vari Foundation, has
extended the family's legacy
at Ryerson with a new gift of
$1 million to Ryerson's
Faculty of Engineering and
Architectural Science (FEAS).
The gift is the largest-ever
single donation to FEAS to be
dedicated to entrance awards,
ensuring future engineers are
able to begin their education.
It brings the foundation's
total giving to Ryerson to more
than $6 million.
The first cohort of Vari
Scholars will enter Ryerson's
engineering program in
September.
STUDENT HOME

New student
residence
opens this fall
In September, Ryerson will
open its largest student
residence ever-and its first
new residence in 25 years.

APPOINTMENTS

DEBORAH BROWN
Vice-President,
Administration and
Operations

Deborah Brown joined
Ryerson as vice-president
of administration
and operations in
January 2018.
A Ryerson journalism
graduate, Brown brings
a strong track record
of commitment to
collaboration, equity,
diversity and inclusion.
In 2014 she served
as vice-president,
corporate services at
Mohawk College. Earlier,
she worked in senior
leadership positions
within the Ontario
government, most
recently as the acting
chief administrative
officer and assistant
deputy minister
at Treasury Board
Secretariat.
The Administration and
Operations portfolio
at Ryerson (previously
named Administration and
Finance) consists of seven
non-academic units that
work collaboratively with
colleagues across the
university. The portfolio
focuses on people,
infrastructure, community
safety and security.
"I am delighted to be
joining a university
that is so well-known
for being a city-builder,
an innovator, and
strong partner with
governments, businesses
and community
organizations,"
said Brown.

Summer 2018 / Ryerson University Magazine

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