Meet the Neighbours at UTSC

U of T  SCARBOROUGH

LANDMARKS
Historic Highland Creek Village – where Old Kingston Road meets Military Trail – is one of Ontario’s oldest settlements. “It’s the nearest place with a coherent identity,” says Ted Relph (PhD 1973), associate principal, campus development. “It’s a focal place, a mishmash of new and old architecture. It has one of the first strip shopping plazas with parking in front of it. It’s a place with a lot of history, and some identity, because the roads meet at strange angles.”

The Highland Creek Valley is an integral part of campus life, welcoming walkers, runners and cyclists. Miller Lash House, a formal wedding and conference facility nestled in the ravine, was formerly the principal’s residence.

EDUCATION
UTSC recently formalized three new joint programs with Centennial College, bringing the number of joint offerings to six. Beginning in 2004, students will be able to study health informatics, environmental science and technology, and industrial microbiology directly from high school. Joint programs in journalism, new media and paramedicine began this year.
BUSINESSES
The Perfect Chinese Restaurant (4386 Sheppard Ave. E.) attracts UTSC types for its perfectly priced menu, not to mention the fact that it’s open 24/7. Ted’s Restaurant (404 Old Kingston Rd.) is a charming 1950s greasy spoon that pulls them in at breakfast time for the best peameal bacon in town. The British beers and the shepherd’s pie at the Black Dog Pub (87 Island Rd.) are favourites of faculty and staff, who appreciate the upscale British tone. “We’re not full of kids with baseball caps,” says publican Ken Rueter.

Students and faculty alike meet at Purdy’s Restaurant & Pub (6091 Kingston Rd.). Owner Eric Purdy, who hosts countless student activities and is a loyal supporter of UTSC’s athletics program, recently earned a U of T Arbor Award as a longtime friend of the university.

SPECIAL PEOPLE
Betty Carr, publisher, Toronto division of Metroland (which publishes the Scarborough Mirror), is past vice-chair of UTSC’s advancement board and a longtime champion of the university. “Betty and her team are always willing to promote UTSC’s programs, initiatives and growth projects,” says executive director of advancement Maria Dyck. “Their reporters and photographers make every effort to cover UTSC’s events and bring our news to the community we serve.”

Noted Canadian painter Doris McCarthy (BA 1989 Scarborough) lives close by and cites the campus as an unending source of artistic inspiration. She’s a longtime supporter of UTSC, which has named its new art gallery after her. In 1989, at the age of 79, McCarthy graduated with a BA in English from UTSC.