Each year, the University and the University of Toronto Alumni Association collaborate to present the Awards of Excellence to inspiring community members who have improved the University community, or our world, in important ways. Among the winners this year is the Faculty's very own Professor Bruce Kidd, who has been awarded the Vivek Goel Faculty Citizenship Award.
In his 50 years of service to U of T, Bruce Kidd has created a transformative learning environment on campus, while serving as the University’s human rights ambassador to the world.
Kidd’s relationship with U of T began in his teens when he trained as an elite runner on its facilities. While an undergraduate here, he won gold and bronze medals at the 1962 Commonwealth Games, represented Canada at the 1964 Olympics and was twice selected Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year. Kidd went on to lead the Canadian movement against apartheid in sports and continued his lifelong sports and human rights advocacy in service of HIV awareness and gender and racial equality.
At U of T, his many roles included dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health, warden of Hart House, and principal and vice-president of U of T Scarborough. He successfully campaigned to bring the Pan Am and Parapan Games and the North American Indigenous Games to campus, and oversaw the completion of the Pan Am Sports Centre and the initiation of Indigenous House.
A champion of equity, Kidd broke ground no matter where he served at U of T—from spearheading a conference in honour of women at Hart House to ensuring gender-neutral washrooms were installed in athletics facilities. He found time to meet with any racialized or queer member of the community who sought support or mentorship, and his legendary walking meetings fostered collegiality among faculty, staff and students alike.
Kidd was awarded an honorary LLD from Dalhousie University, as well as a star on the Scarborough Walk of Fame—an accolade he proudly adds to his many national and international awards. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2004.
Olympic athlete, educator, mentor, administrator, historian, author, thought leader and human rights activist, Kidd has inspired generations of U of T scholar-athletes and indeed all those who have had the privilege to know him.
Read on to find out more about all the outstanding winners of this year's Awards of Excellence.