2017 in focus: 13 of our favourite photos
From server rooms to squirrels, selfies to swimmers – University of Toronto photographers captured them all in pixels
Here is a selection of some of our favourite pictures in what was another big year for the university:
and Google researcher Geoffrey Hinton, a.k.a. “the godfather of deep learning,” strikes a relaxed pose in the server room of the machine learning group, in 鶹Ƶ's department of computer science. Photo by Johnny Guatto.
Swimmer Vithusha Coomaran in action at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Photo by 鶹Ƶ Scarborough staff photographer Ken Jones.
Before hitting the books, 鶹Ƶ Scarborough students hit the streets for orientation. Ken Jones used a wide angle lens to capture the excitement. “This is a rare situation where I think the distortion lends something to the picture,” he says. “It gives it a more dynamic feel.”
Convocation is a time for flowers, smiles and, of course, selfies. Photo by Ken Jones.
One of the many perks of studying at 鶹Ƶ Mississauga? Spotting white-tailed deer. Photo by Arjun Yadav.
Richard Marsella is the executive director of the Regent Park School of Music and a PhD candidate in music education at 鶹Ƶ. The school, 鶹Ƶ faculty and Turning Point Youth Services run a program to help kids in detention learn to play an instrument and discover music. Photo by Romi Levine.
The 150th anniversary of Confederation was not just a cause for celebration. For Cree artist Kent Monkman, it was time to think critically about Canada's history of colonialism and the country's future. Staff photographer/videographer Lisa Lightbourn portrayed the artist at work before his exhibit at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto.
One of the qualities that sets 鶹Ƶ apart from many other universities is its location at the centre of a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. Nothing says that better than staff photographer/videographer Laura Pedersen's image of the CN Tower reflected in the doors of University College.
Noura Al-Jizawi was in the thick of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from the start. She organized pro-democracy protests, ran a subversive blog and posted pictures of victims of repression. She came to 鶹Ƶ this year through , a program for graduate students and academics fleeing war or persecution. Photo by Laura Pedersen.
While taking part in an annoucement with Sidewalk Labs about a new mixed-use, connected community on Toronto’s eastern waterfront, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with 20 girls in Grades 4 to 6, all aspiring engineers, who were designing the neighbourhood of the future at a workshop held by 鶹Ƶ Engineering's outreach program. Trudeau made several trips to 鶹Ƶ in 2017. Photo by Roberta Baker.
After it was announced that Bernie Sanders would give a speech a 鶹Ƶ's Convocation Hall, tickets sold out almost immediately. But the folksy senator from Vermont didn't leave his fans disappointed. He and 鶹Ƶ President Meric Gertler (first from left) greeted students in the rush line before Sanders took the podium. Photo by Geoffrey Vendeville.
After six people were killed in a Quebec City mosque in January, 鶹Ƶ responded to the tragedy by coming together in front of University College to remember the victims and denounce Islamophobia in all its forms. Photo by Geoffrey Vendeville.