Memorable moments and university firsts at TMU

From first PhD defense to first national championship, grads remember important milestones

By Kaitlyn McGuirk | July 5, 2023

Kate Cornell in a red blouse with trees and leaves behind her.

Kate Cornell’s dissertation examined federal policy related to funding the arts, particularly dance. (Photo by May Truong)

Throughout TMU’s 75 years as an institution, a lot has happened. We’ve grown to more than 48,000 students – in 125 undergraduate and graduate programs – and more than 236,000 alumni, and over the past 75 years, we’ve marked some special first occasions. Check out these stories from alumni who were among the first to achieve something great and pave the way for future students.

First student to defend thesis and earn PhD – with baby in tow

Kate Cornell celebrating her graduation with her mother.

Kate Cornell (Communication and Culture ’08) on graduation day.

Kate Cornell (Communication and Culture PhD ’08) was one of the first three students to walk across the stage at convocation and accept a PhD degree awarded by the university. Cornell chose her program (a joint program with York University) because of its interdisciplinary nature, as well as the access to resources and talented faculty members from both universities.

“The absolute highlight of my PhD program was my dissertation advisor, Bruce Elder,” said Cornell. “He is brilliant and I felt lucky that I got to work with him, listen to him and learn from him.” Despite teaching courses, getting married, buying a house and having a baby all while pursuing her PhD, Cornell was determined to finish the program in four years. “I submitted the final draft of my dissertation and that day I went into labour.”

Doctor of Philosophy, Communication and Culture degree issued by Ryerson University and York University.

Kate Cornell's research opened many doors in her career.

Five weeks later, and with the baby in the next room, Cornell successfully defended her thesis, The state of Canadian dance and dancing with the state from 1967-1983. Now working in public policy, government relations and advocacy, Cornell is “very proud to say that my research has led me through many doors and I use it every day.”

Varsity volleyball captain led team to university’s first-ever national title

Theanna Vernon places her left hand on a tree trunk.

Theanna Vernon was nominated for the U SPORTS BLG Athlete of the Year award, becoming the first athlete in the history of the university to be named as a finalist. (Photo by May Truong)

Before the 2017-18 season, the university had never seen its name on a national championship trophy – in any sport. That all changed when women’s varsity volleyball captain Theanna Vernon (Social Work ’19) led her team to a 3-1 win over the Alberta Pandas in the 2018 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship gold medal game after an undefeated season.

When asked what she remembers most from that day, Vernon says, “Before the championship game even started, we all had a dance party before warm-up and it was the first time throughout the tournament that we were able to get loose and let everything out and really acknowledge that this was the last game we would be playing as a team.”

Theanna Vernon celebrating with teammates.

The university's first championship trophy.

Championship memorabilia: Gold medal with a black ribbon that says “Volleyball 2018” and a black snapback hat with “champion” stitched on the back.

Throughout the 2018 season each member of the team had the same desire and mission to win. (Photo by May Truong)

Now a practising psychotherapist in her own clinic in Oshawa, Ont., Vernon says that being involved in a varsity sport during university taught her how to balance many things in life. “It really built my self-esteem and my confidence to go after anything that I ever want in this life. I truly value the experience that I had, not only as a student but as an athlete at the university.”

Student turned serial entrepreneur helps launch DMZ

Chris Nguyen sits in a chair with palm trees behind him.

Chris Nguyen says the downtown Toronto energy and campus location inspires and fosters innovation for entrepreneurs. Photo by Melody Timothee)

When Chris Nguyen (Business Technology Management ’05) was approached in 2009 by then university President Sheldon Levy to help build a new incubator model at the university, his immediate reaction was, “Yes, I’d love to do it!” Having already founded and sold a business one year after graduating, Nguyen knew the value and impact it could have for other entrepreneurs.

Nguyen says the Business Technology Management program was the best of both worlds because of its blend of business and technology courses. “I learned about business and I learned to code, and that’s a great foundation for being a tech entrepreneur.”

Fast forward to April 2010, when, to celebrate the opening of the university’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ), Nguyen and his business partner, Lee Liu (Information Technology Management ’06) launched the incubator’s first project, TeamSave.com, a platform designed to help consumers save by group buying together. Looking back on his time at the DMZ, Nguyen remembers the energy of being surrounded by other founders that fostered innovation and led to amazing business ideas.

Now based in San Francisco, Calif., Nguyen and his business partner are on their fourth venture together, one set to disrupt the payments industry. “If it wasn’t for TMU, I wouldn’t have my co-founder – we met in first-year coding class.”

Kaitlyn McGuirk is a communications specialist at TMU, passionate about telling stories and creating content to enhance the university's profile and reputation. She is also a proud alumna of the Master of Professional Communication program.

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