The University of Toronto is consistently rated as one of the world’s top ranked schools, thanks to its excellent faculty, students and staff. This excellence is sustained in large measure by a dedicated army of alumni and friends who continue to contribute to the University’s faculties, colleges or institutes long after they graduate.
For that, they are celebrated each year with the prestigious Arbor Award, established by the University in 1989 to honour exceptional and longstanding volunteers. So far, more than 2400 U of T alumni and friends have received Arbor Awards, and each year U of T’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education makes sure to add more names to the deserving list.
“The strength of our Faculty is our community, specifically the alumni, mentors and volunteers who are dedicated to providing rich, meaningful and engaged curricular and co-curricular student experiences,” says Ashley Stirling, an associate professor and vice dean of academic affairs at KPE. “The Arbor Award is the highest honour granted by the University and it is a pleasure to be able to recognize the exceptional and impactful contributions of each of the award winners.”
This year, KPE nominated four volunteers for the Arbor Award.
Malinda Hapuarachchi is a KPE and Varsity Blues alumna, currently working on her doctoral degree at the Faculty. She has been volunteering as an assistant coach for the Blues women’s field hockey program since 2012.
Described as an outstanding assistant coach, she is also the driving force behind many of the team's alumnae engagement and fundraising activities, including the golf tournament, which has been a successful revenue stream.
“The experience of being a Varsity Blue and competing for the women's field hockey team for five years was something that I look back on with extremely fond memories. It really helped shape the person I am today,” says Hapuarachichi. “When I started coaching, I was looking to support the program in any way that I could to help ensure that the current athletes' experience continues to be a positive one on and off the field.”
Varsity Blues field hockey assistant coach Malinda Hapuarachchi and her daughter Sanomee (photo credit: Martin Bazyl)
Daniel Correia has held a number of volunteering positions at KPE, from chairing the Restricted Funds Committee to acting as director of the T-Holders Association and representing alumni on the College of Electors.
“I continue to give back because I feel that my contribution can make a difference,” he says. “My career in advising high net worth individuals on investment and wealth planning gives me a unique perspective as an alumni who’s passionate about advocating for student athlete success. I truly care for this University and I want it’s excellence to continue to push forward.”
Correia says receiving the Arbor Award was an incredible honour that motivates him to do more.
“I would encourage all alumni to bring their unique experiences from their work life and bring it back to U of T. It’s very fulfilling.”
Daniel Correia was one of the recipients of the Arbor Award this year (photo provided by Daniel Correia)
Mike Steele has been a member of Friends of Football, the Varsity Blues football alumni network, since 2009. The group has since adopted the Blues Football Alumni Network as its official name, but there has been no change in Steele’s dedication to enhancing the Blues’ football program.
He worked to make the fundraising golf tournament a success and has been essential in promoting events to his friends and former teammates. In 2017, Steele developed and spearheaded the Alumni for Touchdowns fundraising campaign.
“I was raised, taught and coached by a village of mentors throughout my life. Now that I am able and have the time, I want to give back to the generation that follows,” says Steele. “The Arbor Award is a representation to me of those who generously chose to give. It represents their efforts to give back. Those efforts allowed me to receive the award. How great is that, eh?”
Mike Steele rallying the troops in the Blues football locker room (photo by KPE)
Nuno DaSilva has been mentoring in the Faculty’s In-Field Learning Program since 2014, helping students experience hands-on learning in restorative care exercise programs at a long term care facility. Recently, he volunteered as a community speaker and panelist in a course that explored community engaged learning.
DaSilva’s contributions have helped KPE students engage in deeper learning and better understand the variety of factors that need to be considered before designing and delivering exercise programs for the greater community.