Words from the Wise: Vic Grads Write Welcome Notes to New Students
First-year Victoria College students hold welcome messages from Vic alumni during the Traditional Ceremonies orientation week event. (Photos by Will Dang)
By Joe Howell
Imagine you were able to send a message back to your younger self, one you’d receive during your first week of university. Would you write words of encouragement or offer some hard-won wisdom?
Alas, sending such a message is not possible—barring a breakthrough in time-travel technology—but the Alumni Notes tradition at Victoria College offers the next best thing.
Every year, dozens of Vic graduates pen short messages to the incoming class. As the new students gather during orientation week for Traditional Ceremonies in the Isabel Bader Theatre, they find these heartfelt greetings attached to their seats.
Full of positivity and advice, the notes connect Vic’s newest students with those who came before them, whether those alumni graduated the previous year or decades prior.
The tradition was started in 2012 by Anne Urbancic, professor emerita at Victoria College, with the support of Valerie Ferrier and others in the Office of the Registrar.
“My inspiration was a news item about newly entering medical students receiving such a card in the pocket of their lab coat as they started the academic year,” said Urbancic.
“I sensed that our freshman students might like a similar welcome, despite the fact that they do not have lab coats. First year can be rather daunting and to know that you are supported by those who have been through the experience brings a sense of relief—and also a sense of anticipation of future accomplishment.”
Urbanic’s daughter, Laurie O’Handley Vic 1T0, was one of the first grads to write a welcome note at the start of the project. “Eventually the Victoria Women’s Association decided to continue the activity, and I am sincerely grateful to them for doing so,” Urbancic said. (The Office of the Dean of Students now organizes the annual event.)
Urbancic noted that she did something similar with her students in the Vic One classes she taught. “As the courses were about to end each semester, I had students write a greeting to the following year’s class. Students had no obligation to sign their names, but many did so, generously offering other contact information to answer questions about the courses.”
Having retired in April 2024, Urbancic already misses the ritual. “I felt a real sadness in not handing out blank cards for the 2024–25 academic year, given that I am no longer teaching the courses,” she said.
Here are a few of the notes sent by Victoria College alumni to this year’s incoming class, published here with their kind permission:
It seems like only 70 years ago (it WAS 70 years ago!) that I arrived at Vic to take part in an orientation weekend welcoming me to the college. Now you are about to share in that tradition, one that makes Vic unique. I hope you will find the faculty and students as welcoming as I did and that you will quickly become part of that welcoming atmosphere for the rest of your lives. Abeunt studia in mores!
— Stanley Farrow Vic 5T8
Welcome to Vic! This is the start of an incredible journey as you meet new friends, enjoy unique experiences and find your place in our close-knit community. Remember to have empathy for yourself and others, get good sleep and be open to the challenges that lie ahead. I wish you amazing success here at Vic!
— Jillian Yee-Chang Vic 0T2
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Get involved; you won’t regret it!
— Utkarsh Mali Vic 2T2
Welcome to your first semester at Vic! You’ve worked hard to earn your place at this wonderful university in this world-class city. I hope you take full advantage of the unique opportunity to be with so many talented, intelligent and interesting people. Explore your passions, try new subjects, push a little past your comfort zone and remember to take care of yourself. And call your family. They miss you.
— Diana Lawrence Vic 8T8
A warm welcome to Vic! You have made a wonderful choice in coming here. You’ll have many opportunities to learn, explore, make friends and have fun. If you need help of any kind along the way, please ask. I found asking for help is not a sign of weakness or stupidity—it is a sign of strength, courage and maturity. May you flourish and look back on your years at Vic with gratitude and affection!
— Diane Dyer Vic 6T2
Victoria College and U of T will present you with endless opportunities, so say yes! Submit that poem or short story to that journal, join that intramural, sign up for the fashion show, take that interesting breadth course…now is the time to try new things! As for practical advice: the university has dozens of libraries, so try them all and find your favourite hidden gems. Also, start assignments earlier than you think you need to.
— Mathea Treslan Vic 2T3