Sociology Alumni Unite

In 1937, the first U of T sociology students received their degrees; almost 70 years later, sociology grads have their first alumni organization at the univer­sity. The Sociology Alumni Association began unoffi­cially when the department’s alumni development officer, Linda Gardiner (BSc 1977 UTSC), organized a dinner for graduates and the department chair at the U of T Faculty Club in December 2004. “It started with a conscientious group who wanted to give something back to the sociology community,” says Gardiner. After several meetings and much planning amongst the group, the formal launch came the following June during Spring Reunion, when the association hosted a reception and talk by sociology graduate Robert Sirman (BA 1968 VIC, MA 1969), administrative director of Canada’s National Ballet School. Other recent activities have included a historical walking tour and an author-led book discussion, and there are plans to participate in the job-shadowing program for undergraduates. To join the Sociology Alumni Association executive or learn about upcoming events, contact sociology.dept@utoronto.ca.