Vic Student Among First to Receive James Pesando Memorial Scholarship

^{Pesando Award winner Ren Yi (Renee) Wang, donor Patricia Higgins, award winner Goeun (Lacrecia) Kang, and Professor Ettore Damiano, Chair of the Department of Economics. (Photo by A. Macedo)}

By Kate Baggot

The James Pesando Memorial Scholarship was awarded for the first time on Wednesday, March 5. The late Professor Emeritus was renowned for his teaching skills and his ability to connect with students in high-enrollment courses.

“Even before coming to the university, I heard about Professor Pesando and his legendary ECO100/ECO101 lectures,” said Ren Yi (Renee) Wang, a second-year Victoria College student and recipient of the inaugural award. “From his meaningful contributions to the field of economics to his excellence in teaching, Professor Pesando inspired many, including me. I am beyond honoured to have received this award. It has helped me realise my academic potential and motivates me to continue working hard in my studies.”

Colleagues noted that Pesando's innovative teaching methods transformed the learning experience for first-year students.

“I think it’s true that Jim’s reputation as a teacher really came into its own when he started teaching the introductory classes,” said Professor Michael Baker, associate chair of undergraduate programs with the Department of Economics. “One of his accomplishments was to achieve extremely high teaching evaluations in ECO101 classes of 400-500 students—a very challenging accomplishment!”

Funded by members of the Pesando family, his friends and former colleagues, the award goes to high-performing students in ECO100 level courses with preference given to students with financial need.

“Jim loved teaching his first-year class,” said Patricia Higgins, Professor Pesando’s widow and initiator of the scholarship. “He strove to provide them with a firm foundation in Economics and an appreciation of the discipline. He was awarded an outstanding teacher award in 2006 by the Faculty of Arts and Science. Even though there were 500 students in his classes, he always sent personal emails congratulating students who achieved first class honours in the class. Jim put great effort into keeping the Department of Economics the best in Canada through his research and administrative jobs.”

Professor Pesando died in 2021, but his legacy continues to resonate in the Department of Economics. Awarding the scholarship for the first time at the Undergraduate Awards of Excellence in Economics ceremony has reminded everyone just how important Professor Pesando was to the undergraduate learning community.

“The motivation to create these undergraduate scholarships came from Patricia Higgins,” said Professor Ettore Damiano, Chair of the Department of Economics. “Jim was a remarkable teacher, and this award recognizes the unique and successful contributions he made to teaching first-year courses. He positively introduced thousands of students to the discipline of economics and they adored him, even when they decided economics was not for them.”

For two students who took ECO100 level courses in 2023-24, the scholarship has given them an incentive to decide if economics is for them.

In addition to the undergraduate awards, Professor Pesando’s family has also created two graduate-level fellowships awarded for the first time this year.

This article is courtesy of the University of Toronto Department of Economics.