University of St. Michael's College

09/29/2026

Today, September 29, St. Michael's celebrates its feast day! We honour the patron saint of our University and the Archdiocese of Toronto, whose likeness stands on the second floor of Carr Hall, where he is shown as Michael the Archangel atop a dragon. The sculpture was a gift from Ernest Cormier, the architect who designed the building. In a 1954 letter, Father Laurence Shook, CSB, then President of the University, wrote that the statue was "most effective" and that the artist, Sylvia Daoust, had given us "a manly St. Michael without sacrificing grace and beauty."

The first picture was taken by Peter Skrepichuk from our facilities department; the second photo is of the sculpture in its studio dated 1954 and found in the Cormier’s files at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. The article was published in May-June 1985 issue of St. Michael's Bulletin.

The Basilians

09/24/2026

Meet Sylvia and Ross, two of our dedicated volunteers preparing for The Friends of the John M. Kelly Library Book Sale, as they share a few unique treasures they've discovered while sorting through donations. They're excited to see these books find new homes! St. Michael's Book Sale runs from September 30 to October 3 in the Kelly Library.

https://library.stmikes.utoronto.ca/about/friends/sale/

09/23/2026

Last week, renowned American novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux spoke at the University of St. Michael's College, in advance of the launch of his latest travelogue, True North: On the Road in Canada.

Hosted by St. Mike's Principal's Office, Theroux shared his account of traveling across Canada at a time of heightened political tension with the U.S. What began as the completion of that trilogy of three travelogues exploring the landscapes, cultures, and sociopolitical realities of the American South, Mexico, and Canada became a deeply personal exploration. In this book, Theroux traces his ancestral roots in Quebec, journeys through remote settlements and multicultural cityscapes, and listens to the diverse voices shaping modern Canada. True North: On the Road in Canada officially launched yesterday, and is available in bookstores now.

We thank Paul Theroux for his visit to our community and we are also honoured that the event was moderated by Professor Ira Wells, President of PEN Canada.

09/23/2026

Preserving a History of Faith and Service
The Catholic Religious Communities Archive ensures the stories, records, and charisms of Canada’s religious communities endure.

https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Spring-Magazine_FINAL_CRCA.pdf

Find the most recent St. Michael's magazine here: https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/alumni

09/23/2026

Autumn has arrived! 🍂 Grounds Coordinator John, and associates, Dawna and Jojo, welcome the season with mums set to bloom in jewel tones for Michaelmas.

09/23/2026

Shoutout to all the organizers and participants who made this year's Orientation Week a success, including O-Cup winners T2 - The Achievers. We asked them what it takes to make a winning team - and they each had their own unique response.

09/22/2026

Sierra Hanlon’s advocacy work at St. Michael’s nurtured her voice and gave her the confidence to use her writing as a platform. Encouraged by the St. Michael’s community, she challenged herself to sign up for a writing fellowship at INKspire, where sharing others’ stories gave her the confidence to speak up.

Full story available at https://stmikes.utoronto.ca/news/st-mikes-student-sierra-hanlon-finds-her-voice.
photo courtesy of Vivian Van.

09/16/2026

09/15/2026

The University of St. Michael's College Golf Classic is a fantastic opportunity to spend a high-end day on the green with classmates, colleagues, and friends — while supporting St. Mike's students, giving to the President’s Excellence Fund and enriching student life on campus. The alumni green fee is $1,800 per foursome and is exclusively available to alumni participants, which includes 18 holes of championship-level golf, player gifts, meals, and tournament-day hospitality. Can’t pull together a full group? No problem — you can register as a single, twosome, or th*****me, and we’ll happily match you with other alumni to complete a foursome. We’re aiming to fill the entire course with 36 foursomes of St. Mike’s alumni - we’re almost there, so sign up now: https://usmcgolfclassic.com/

09/14/2026

Today St. Mike’s celebrates the 170th anniversary of the opening of St. Basil's Collegiate Church in 1856. This historic community on Clover Hill was imagined and built by the Congregation of St. Basil, an educational order of Catholic priests who came to Canada from Annonay, France. They founded our university and continue to serve St. Basil's, St. Mike's and the people of Toronto.

In 1859, photographer William Notman took photos from the top of the newly completed University College tower. You can see St. Basil’s in the top right hand corner. What a view! The second photo is a detail of St. Mike's. Many thanks to history buff (and SMC staffer) Peter Skrepichuk for finding these photos, and a Toronto Mirror newspaper article from 1856 announcing in very flowery prose the opening of the church. St. Basil’s is the oldest building in continuous use at the University of Toronto - may it stand for another 170+ years!
St. Basil's Parish, Toronto
The Basilians

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Join acclaimed, bestselling author and travel writer Paul Theroux as he talks about his timely new book, True North: On the Road in Canada. September 18 @ 3:00 pm

For more than half a century, Theroux has chronicled the far corners of the globe with curiosity, wit, and an unflinching eye. In True North, he turns that gaze toward a country both familiar and elusive.

What begins as the completion of a North American road trip trilogy becomes a deeply personal exploration. Theroux traces his ancestral roots in Quebec, journeys through remote settlements and multicultural cityscapes, and listens to the diverse voices shaping modern Canada.

Please RSVP: https://bit.ly/4gQo3hq

81 St. Mary St., Toronto, ON, M5S 1J4 All fields are required for your RSVP. For any inquiries, please email us at [email protected].

09/09/2026

One week ago was residence move-in day at St. Mike's. Friends and parents showed up in droves with packed cars, mini fridges and heavy suitcases in tow, ready for the upcoming year. The excitement and emotions were palpable as they put their loved ones into our care to start a transformational academic journey. We checked-in with parents, asking them how they felt as their first-year students began this next big chapter in their lives.

09/08/2026

The University of St. Michael's College Golf Classic is a fantastic opportunity to spend a high-end day on the green with classmates, colleagues, and friends — while supporting St. Mike's students, giving to the President’s Excellence Fund and enriching student life on campus. But there’s also a chance to win big in this tournament! If you get a hole-in-one on the 18th hole at the Eagles Nest Golf Club, you will win a 2026 Lexus NX 350.

The alumni green fee is $1,800 per foursome and is exclusively available to alumni participants, which includes 18 holes of championship-level golf, player gifts, meals, and tournament-day hospitality.

Find out more and sign up now: https://usmcgolfclassic.com/

09/05/2026

Happy long weekend! The University of St. Michael's College will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labour Day. We can't wait to welcome our students, staff, librarians, and faculty back on Tuesday as we kick off a new academic term. Regis St. Michael's Faculty of Theology

09/04/2026

Orientation Day 4 was hot, sunny and action packed. It started with a pep rally and the cheer competition agaist the other colleges, where St. Mike’s was definitely the loudest and most enthusiastic, outperforming everyone else (in our humble opinion). Then games and puzzles in the COOP and the Kelly Library, followed by the every popular Bed Race tryouts. In the evening Kelly’s Korner showcased the musical and comedic talents of our students. We’re tired just watching it all unfold, but super proud of our students!

09/04/2026

The University of St. Michael’s College community mourns the passing of Honorary Fellow Roland Bertin, who died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at William Osler Health Centre in Etobicoke. He was a devoted supporter of the University of St. Michael’s College for many years, contributing his expertise in finance and governance to help strengthen the institution’s long-term growth. In 2023, in recognition of his exceptional volunteer service and enduring commitment to the University community, he was named an Honorary Fellow of the University of St. Michael’s College.

The University of St. Michael’s College community mourns the passing of Honorary Fellow Roland Bertin, who died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at William Osler Health Centre in Etobicoke. He is survived by Marie, his wife of 60 years; a daughter, Laurie (Andy); a ...

09/03/2026

At Orientation day 3, our newest St. Mike's students explored Toronto and attended mock lectures to get a taste of what's to come. But it's a good thing O-week activities moved inside because the weather turned crazy, with intense heavy rain and thunderstorms. Some people might have had issues with their rain gear (just sayin') but our resilient students ended the day creatively with Art at Night and dancing the night away at a silent disco.

09/03/2026

Attorney, professor, and president of Dr. Colleen Hanycz, SMC 8T9, received a Doctor of Sacred Letters, honoris causa, from the University of St. Michael’s College, at the university’s Invocation ceremony, on Monday at ’s Convocation Hall.

The Citation was delivered by Dr. David Sylvester, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College, and the degree bestowed on Dr. Hanycz by Archbishop Frank Cardinal Leo, the Chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College.

Colleen gave a brilliant, inspiring Invocation Address on how St. Mike’s changes you, makes you grow and stretch as a person and forms you for the future. Here’s a clip but you can watch her full address, as well as President Sylvester’s citation via the link in bio.

Congratulations Dr. Hanycz, we’re so proud you’re a St Mike’s alumna, and now our newest Doctor of Sacred Letters, honoris causa!

09/02/2026

After a scavenger hunt on Day 2 of Orientation, students got down to academic prep with a Pre-UofT information session and an afternoon academic social that gave orientees the opportunity to meet St. Mike's faculty before the start of term. In the evening, the good times continued as the quad transformed into a night market with vendor craft tables, food trucks, and lawn games.

09/01/2026

Rain didn’t dampen the St. Michael’s spirt as Orientation kicked off yesterday. Our incoming students were introduced to their orientation leaders and groups, toured the campus through Doors Open and were officially welcomed into the academic tradition at Invocation held in Convocation Hall. Orientation festivities continued into the evening with the Battle of the Bands and the U of T Ghost Tour.

09/01/2026

The University of St. Michael's College Golf Classic is an opportunity for St. Mike’s alumni and supporters who are passionate about our mission to come together to help students. Proceeds from this annual flagship fundraising event go to the President’s Excellence Fund which enriches student life, funding transformative campus improvements have strengthened wellness and community life—from water stations supporting our Blue Community commitment to a new basketball court, outdoor ice rink, and upgraded campus infrastructure.

Sign up now to ensure that today's students have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

https://usmcgolfclassic.com/

08/31/2026

Yesterday, our residences were once again full of activity as move-in day got underway. There were hugs, laughter, a tear or two, and proud parents and friends sending their students off into their next chapter. Welcome home to St. Mike's.

08/28/2026

The campus has been a little quiet over the summer without our students. We’ve been busy preparing for the start of September, counting down the days until you all return – starting with move-in day on Sunday. Our faculty, staff and librarians are ready to welcome you back!

08/27/2026

We asked our incoming first-year students why they chose St. Mike's and their answers said it all. From the tight-knit community to the downtown Toronto location, there's no shortage of reasons to call SMC home.

Whatever brought you here, we can't wait to welcome you to campus next week for Orientation! Whatever brought you here, we can't wait to welcome you to campus next week for Orientation! It's not too late to register, visit https://stmikesorientation.com/.