President Meric Gertler has presided over the graduation of thousands of University of Toronto students at hundreds of convocation ceremonies - but the 2:30 p.m. ceremony on June 20 held special significance.
It was his last as the university's most senior administrator, a role he has held since 2013.
Wearing his blue-and-white presidential robes, he entered Convocation Hall as part of the chancellor's procession, led by the Eagle Feather Bearer and a bedel carrying U of T's ceremonial mace, and delivered his customary opening address - this time to graduates of the Rotman Commerce program.
"To the graduating class, let me say: 'Thank you,'" he said. "Thank you for your many contributions to the university while you were students and thank you for what you will do as members of Canada's largest and, I believe, most distinguished alumni community."
He then called on the chancellor to confer an honorary degree - again, for the last time - on U of T alumnus and banking leader David Wilson before taking his seat with the rest of the platform party. For the next half hour or so, he shared in the joy and pride of convocation as graduating students crossed the stage while beaming friends and families looked on.
On July 1, President Gertler will be succeeded as president by Melanie Woodin , a world-renowned neuroscientist who has served as dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. His departure from Simcoe Hall after 12 years in the role marks the end of a transformative era that has laid the foundation for the university's future success.
His leadership was defined by bold commitments to sustainability, life-changing research, expanded opportunities for students and strengthened global engagement. As detailed by U of T Magazine , his tenure saw the physical transformation of the three campuses, steps toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and an array of initiatives and partnerships elevating inclusive excellence, research and innovation across the university. He also guided the university through a series of extraordinary challenges - from a global pandemic to an intense period of geopolitical instability - establishing it as a model of resilience, equity and innovation in the post-secondary sector.
In the final weeks of his presidency, President Gertler expressed gratitude to the U of T community for their support and dedication to advancing the university's mission and impact.
At a June 18 reception at the Royal Ontario Museum, he praised the commitment of U of T's students, faculty, librarians, staff, alumni and supporters who serve as a "powerful source of inspiration" and a reminder of the university's unique ability to address pressing challenges and foster change.
"The world needs more U of T - the amazing talent we attract and produce, and the hope we offer, inspired by the values of inclusive excellence," President Gertler told university supporters, donors and volunteers at the event.
Earlier in the month, he visited the three campuses to thank the U of T community - and received the community's gratitude in return.
Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, praised President Gertler's values-driven and visionary leadership at an event held in U of T Mississauga's Maanjiwe nendamowinan building - one of several major infrastructure projects completed on campus during his tenure.
"Meric's vision of cities as centres for innovation, on the value of global partnerships, on the urgency of climate action, among many other things, has proven only more prescient and powerful over time," she said.
In a video message, Claire Sault, chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, thanked President Gertler for his commitment to strengthening U of T's relationships with Indigenous Peoples. "Under your leadership, we've certainly expanded the whole Indigenous perspective within the academic world," said Sault.
At U of T Scarborough, the president was presented with a framed composite photo highlighting key moments from his tenure.
Linda Johnston, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough, thanked him for helping transform the campus and for supporting its role as an engine of progress and opportunity in the eastern Greater Toronto Area.
"We have experienced unprecedented growth, focusing on enhancing academic programming and research infrastructure, expanding student services and strengthening community engagement - while also ensuring the campus remains a safe, vibrant and student-centered teaching and learning environment," said Johnston at the event, which was attended by students, faculty, staff and special guests.
"Your vision, commitment to excellence and tireless efforts to foster an inclusive and innovative teaching, learning and research environment have left a lasting imprint on our campus and beyond."
A recent U of T community farewell gathering held at the Rotman School of Management featured two special gifts for President Gertler: a custom-made desk - crafted from a Turkish hazel tree that once stood near Convocation Hall - and an OVO-branded U of T varsity jacket.
In his remarks , President Gertler noted many well-wishers had remarked on his widened smile and improved posture as his term has drawn to a close - prompting laughter from the audience. "But I can honestly say that I have never lost the zeal for this job, even in the most challenging times - and let's face it, there have been a few," he said.
"I've always believed in the power of our remarkable collective ability to defy gravity. And the reasons are simple: it comes down to the people I've had the privilege to work with, and the level of importance of our shared mission."
One of those people, former Chancellor Rose Patten, praised President Gertler's collaborative and empowering leadership style. "Whether it's sensitivity-building, international partnerships or innovation in education, Meric's approach to leadership has been very deliberate, distinct and thoughtful," she said.
Professor Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, said U of T has benefited greatly from President Gertler's scholarly background. "We are so privileged, all of us, that you were an economic geographer and deeply, deeply understand the importance of place," said Stein, citing as examples U of T's strengthened partnerships, expanded interdisciplinary research initiatives, sustainability initiatives and campus renewal projects.
The U of T community event at Rotman also included the announcement of the Meric Gertler Climate and Sustainability Awards, which will support students pursuing sustainability and climate-related studies at U of T and empower the next generation of leaders to tackle the global climate crisis.
The awards underscore one of the most significant hallmarks of President Gertler's tenure: establishing U of T as a sustainability leader .
"In 2013, we knew that sustainability was going to be a growing area of interest," President Gertler reflected in a recent interview with U of T Magazine , "but we had no idea how quickly and how far we could move the university - and the extent to which this would be recognized around the world."
U of T similarly captured global attention last year when University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics for his foundational work on artificial intelligence - an achievement President Gertler described as "literally creat[ing] new ways of thinking about thinking and learning."
Throughout it all, President Gertler always championed the lifeblood of the university: its students.
"You might think you never see him because he's the president - but I'm from the Scarborough campus and the number of times I've seen President Gertler visit our campus community is exceptional," said Liam Dravid, a fourth-year undergraduate student who is pursuing an honours bachelor of science in health studies and environmental studies and a member of U of T's Governing Council.
"I'm very thankful for all the opportunities I've had to interact with him personally… because he's personable, he's kind and he's open. He leads not just with vision for the future but with care, not just for us students but faculty and administration as well."
Looking ahead, President Gertler said he is excited to return to his academic roots as the Goldring Chair in Canadian Studies, a member of the Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School and distinguished scholar in residence at the School of Cities - following a stint as an academic visitor at the University of Oxford.
Reflecting on his presidency at the U of T community event at Rotman, he remarked that even amid a period of transformative change and global upheaval, "one thing has remained constant: the University of Toronto's extraordinary capacity to adapt, to lead and to inspire.
"Thanks to the creativity and commitment of our community, U of T is a tremendous source of hope - not just for our city or country, but for the world."
