CrimSL steps into the new academic year in celebratory style at Welcome Back Fall Reception

October 16, 2024 by Patricia Doherty

This year, CrimSL revived an old tradition of welcoming everyone back at the start of a new academic year.

CrimSL's Welcome Back 2024 Fall Reception took place on September 25, 2024, in the CrimSL Library, and the 60 or so faculty, graduate students, visitors, researchers, staff and guests who attended were welcomed in style!

In her formal welcome, Professor Clarke gave thanks to those gathered for their hard work and support of the centre’s mission. CrimSL owes its top ranking as a centre of research and learning in criminology and sociolegal studies to its people.

Clarke called faculty and staff up to the podium one at a time and presented each with a token of her appreciation: a mysterious blue gift bag.

Former CrimSL Director Professor Audrey Macklin was the first to receive a gift. She was thanked at this time for coming up with the tag line “Justice is Critical” which was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted at CrimSL’s Faculty Retreat last April.

2024 09 25 Nine gift bag recipients — Director Professor Kamari Clarke awards gift bags to faculty and staff at CrimSL Welcome Back Fall Reception, September 25, 2024.
Top row L-R: Audrey Macklin, Tony Doob, Scot Wortley | Middle row L-R: Mariana Valverde, Harold Lovell, Kerry Taylor | Bottom row L-R: Prashanth Chandrapal, Thuy Phan, Patrick Watson. Photos: CrimSL

CrimSL branded mugs (front and back) and pen. Photo: CrimSL

Each gift bag held a 14 oz. dark blue coffee mug bearing the name of the University of Toronto Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies on one side and the tag line “Justice is Critical” on the other. A CrimSL-branded ballpoint pen was also included.

All CrimSL graduate students had received these items earlier.

The notion that “justice is critical” speaks to:

an agreed-upon principle of striving for justice in our world
the importance of engaging in justice conversations through forms of critical inquiry, and
interrogations of power.

Following the presentation of gifts, attendees enjoyed relaxed conversation and delicious refreshments.

L-R: Audrey Lu, Tyler King	L-R: Thuy Phan, Edward Escalon, Jr., Rebecca Melville	L-R: Mariana Valverde, Audrey Macklin, Prashanth Chandrapal	L-R: Patrick Watson, Lauren Borders
L-R: Meng Xiao, Harold Lovell	L-R: M. Atif, Beatrice Jauregui	L-R: Amelia Cassidy, Alexa Ross, Jaden Young, Michelle Chernyak, a friend, Kira Mrkalj	L-R: Bond Zhang, Shane Farrell
L-R: Maja Turkalj, Angela Zorro Medina, Chaehwan Lee, Basil Abu Sido	L-R: Taveeshi Singh, Beatrice Jauregui	L-R: Peter Solomon, Kamari Clarke	L-R: Kamari Clarke, Wumi Asubiaro Dada, Bukky Shonibare, Sara Ali, Marea Diaz, Donald Butler