OCAD University announces new Chair and Vice-Chairs of Board of Governors

Monday, November 13, 2017

OCAD University’s Board of Governors has elected Jaime Watt, Executive Chairman, Navigator Ltd., as Chair of the Board of Governors for a one-year term as of November 11, 2017. He succeeds outgoing Chair Dr. John Semple.

Dr. Myrna Francis, President, Mfran Enterprises Inc., was elected First Vice-Chair, and Dr. Claude Galipeau Chief Revenue Officer of Torstar Corporation, Second Vice-Chair. Both will serve one-year terms. Outgoing Vice-Chairs David Holland and Sharifa Khan will continue to serve on the board.

“The university benefits enormously from the varied expertise and exceptional leadership of our Board of Governors,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor. “I thank Sharifa Khan and David Holland for their hard work in their roles, and of course Dr. Semple for his insightful guidance over the past two years.”

Watt has been deeply involved with equality and human rights issues, and has received numerous awards for his service to the community, including Out on Bay Street’s Leader to be Proud of Award and the inaugural recipient of Egale’s Lifetime Achievement Award for equality rights. He is a sought-after public affairs commentator who specializes in public strategy issues. Watt joined the board in 2015.

"I am so thrilled to have been elected as Board Chair at OCAD U, the largest and most comprehensive art, design and digital media university in Canada. Make no mistake, OCAD U’s time has come. Just watch how the Creative City Campus (CCC) project will revitalize and expand the institution’s core creative spaces on McCaul Street,” said Watt. 

A complete list of members of the Board of Governors and their biographies is available online.

OCAD University announces 2017 Alumni of Influence

Friday, October 6, 2017

OCAD University has revealed the names of the recipients of the 2017 Alumni of Influence Awards. The Awards celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of OCAD University alumni locally and around the world. From illustrating the cover of the New Yorker to making social change through anti-oppression activism, they exemplify the values and skills that are developed at the university.

This year’s recipients are:

Legacy – Don Watt (AOCA, Industrial Design, 1953 – 1956
Distinguished Alumni – Anita Kunz (AOCA, Communication & Design, 1978)
Distinguished Educator – Hugh Mackenzie (AOCA, Drawing & Painting, 1950)
Trailblazer– Carly McAskill (BFA, Drawing & Painting, 2011)
Worldbuilder – Natalyn Tremblay (BFA, Integrated Media, 2006)

Read full recipient bios.

“We are so proud to recognize this exceptional group of alumni who are influencers, educators, and agents of positive change in the world,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University. “It is a pleasure to honour them, and their work, at this celebration.”

The Alumni of Influence awards reception and presentation, emceed by television host Ajay Fry, takes place Friday, November 17 at 6 p.m. at OCAD University, Room 190 (auditorium), 100 McCaul St., Toronto.

Tickets may be purchased online.

Nominated by their peers and selected by a jury of alumni, faculty and staff, award recipients demonstrate excellence in a diverse range of fields and activities, whether at home or abroad. These may include art, design, media, business, science, humanities, medicine, education and public service.

This Alumni of Influence event has been made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor TD Insurance.